Potash Sector Needs Better Ties With Bands: FSIN

Potash Sector Needs Better Ties With Bands: FSIN

Friday, September 10, 2010 at 13:50

The chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations says it’s time more First Nations workers were employed by the potash industry.

Guy Lonechild says potash companies are lagging behind other sectors when it comes to employing treaty Indians.

Lonechild says the uranium industry in northern Saskatchewan has done a much better job of including the local workforce in its operations.

The chief says he’s also not happy First Nations weren’t consulted over a possible sale of PotashCorp to a foreign company.

Lonechild says by not informing bands about the offer, the government is violating the Natural Resources Transfer Agreement of 1930.

He also says a new resource revenue-sharing agreement is needed between the government and First Nations.