This year’s resource summit in Prince Albert is now in the books and leaders are declaring it a success.
Chiefs from Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan spent the week talking resources and discussing what strategy should be used to deal with the government.
P.A.G.C. chief Ron Michel says litigation is one possibility but adds that approach worries some of the delegates.
Mercredi feels laws must be changed to accomodate the needs of First Nations people.
But he is not sure taking the government to court is the answer:
“I’m convinced it cannot be done through litigation, because you’re asking the reluctant party to go a certain direction — but you’re giving them the final power to decide if they’re going to go there or not. And, when you go to litigation, you lose your power of voice.”
Meantime, a vice-chief with the Prince Albert Grand Council says it’s tough for him to understand why northern resource development is moving ahead so strongly — yet the provincial government feels the need to cancel the northern fish freight subsidy.
Brian Hardlotte says fishing, trapping and hunting were the original industries that got Canada started.
Hardlotte adds this week’s conference gives First Nations across the Prairies a better chance to understand what one other is thinking.