for what it's worth i've negotiated deals with the first nations as former pres and ceo of a canadian exploration company developing projects in ontario and in BC. there is such a disconnect between the first nations point of view on how things are and should be and the point of view on how things are and should be by the rest of the world that it is impossible to accurately describe it unless you've been there and done it.

every case is identically complex and frustrating and identically simple at the same time. or it could be.

the saddest part is that the first nations leadership is so utterly lacking in continuity that it is almost unimaginable.

i sympathize immensley with their predicament, but having said that i resent being blamed for something some white guy did a hundred years ago. that was not me and i can only be expected to tolerate so much ignorance and abuse from the first nations or anyone else in retaliation for past mistakes by whomever may have made them. none of us was there including first nations persons making such claims today.

in order for this to ever change then there must be leadership on both sides which can make a decision to come together and address this issue once and for all and that the process needs and deserves a structure to be built which can accomplish this. The mining world needs to initiate such a strategy on their side and the first nations must do the same. The political leadership has failed both sides and it needs to be take away from them both by business and by first nations and then the government should be instructed endorse what has ulitmately been decided by these parties.

until such time as this occurs there will be no end to the circus and i personally will not invest one cent in a company that has even the slightest chance of encountering such obstacles.

its time for the finger pointing and the blaming to stop.