Manitoba Chamber of Commerce
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/317454
18 MBiz May 2014 W hen First Nations communities prosper, everyone wins. And as resource industries look to new economic opportunities in the North, it's worth taking advice from Cree business leader Christian Sinclair, who calls on Aboriginal and business leaders to work together to forge meaningful partnerships. "If a company doesn't have an Aboriginal strategy, they'd better start creating one yesterday," Sinclair says. Originally from Opaskwayak Cree Nation, Sinclair joined author Bill Gallagher (Resource Rulers: Fortune and Folly on Canada's Road to Resources) at a March speaking engagement in Winnipeg, presented by the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce and Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba. Both men pointed out the huge economic benefi ts of working together. Sinclair says the developing world is clamouring for goods North Americans take for granted, and Aboriginal lands possess a wealth of possibilities for industries such as oil and gas, mining, fi shing, forestry and hydro. "When you take a map of Canada, you're seeing approximately $750 billion worth of projects on or near Aboriginal territory. This is where our Aboriginal leaders need to become fully aware of a certain economic hammer known as Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution, which guarantees our consultation and accommodation," Sinclair says. "It all goes back to treaty. When people look at treaty, we didn't give our land up just for the sake of giving it up. It was basically given to be shared with the newcomers. We would protect our traditional way of life but at the same time build a country together." When it comes to unsettled treaties, Aboriginal people take a stance to protect the environment, he adds, thereby protecting their traditional way of life. "This is where Section 35 comes into exercise with the opportunity for First Nations, Métis and Inuit to maximize their potential territory," he says. "What normally happens in a project is you would initiate a dialogue for building an agreement together. But in order to do that, our Aboriginal people need to be educated. The N O R M A N THE ABORIGINAL ADVANTAGE RESOURCE SHARING IS GOOD FOR BUSINESS AND FIRST NATIONS by Jennifer McFee MBiz_spring2014.indd Sec1:18 MBiz_spring2014.indd Sec1:18 5/14/14 8:27:07 AM 5/14/14 8:27:07 AM