There were some tough words today from the chief of the Onion Lake Cree Nation.
Wallace Fox says he doesn’t intend to sit by and watch the provincial government impose a new environmental code on his land or people.
The new code would allow companies to begin monitoring themselves during certain processes and is aimed at streamling a heavy, regulatory system.
Fox says the government is in direct violation of the duty to consult principal and is also stepping over treaty rights:
“There are international arenas. Many have tried different strategies but I, as chief, will make a stand on this results-based regulatory code process. They will not enter our territory.”
The chief says he isn’t making any threats but insists his people won’t back down.
Chief Perry Bellegarde of the Little Black Bear First Nation was one of several leaders to support a resolution calling on the province to remove the measure.
The chief says Premier Brad Wall needs to realize First Nations want to contribute economically, but they need the government to meet them halfway:
“You keep saying ‘The best Saskatchewan is yet to come’. Well, no question, we’ve got to be at that economic table.”
In particular, Bellegarde says something needs to happen to force the government’s hand on the resource revenue sharing issue.