Mushkegowuk Grand Chief tells it Like it is-No Progress in Talks With Ontario

Building an opportunity
Timmins Daily Press
Meanwhile, at the Building Bridges conference, Jonathon Solomon, the chief of Kashechewan First Nation, spoke about Aboriginal communities moving forward ...
http://www.timminspress.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1080376



Two years ago, Mushkegowuk Council Grand Chief Stan Louttit came to the first Building Bridges forum and talked about resource development.

He's frustrated he is back and nothing has changed.

"We're nowhere near implementing it," Louttit said. "These (government) ministries don't know what to do with it.

"We know what to do with it. They just need to let us drive it."

He said First Nations groups have talked about revenue sharing with the City of Timmins, but companies don't feel they have to share profit.




The government still says it believes in revenue sharing but it isn't happening, Louttit said.

"There's no legal obligation for companies to share at all, even if it's only five kilometres away from a First Nation community. It's up to each community to negotiate a settlement."

He said the more than 100- year-old mining act is basically a "free-for-all" for companies to come in and do what they want.

"I think any leader will tell you we're not against resource development. We're impoverished here, but we need to do it right."

Louttit said the government is taking advantage of First Nation communities with wind power, which he also said has been a free-for-all.

"It's time for us to get out of this poverty and enjoy the wealth of our land. The government is doing it, the municipalities are doing it and it's time we did it, too