Mining CEO says resource sharing key to developing indigenous economy

The head of a mining exploration company in the Northwest Territories believes that resource sharing is the key to a thriving indigenous economy in Canada.

We've got to eat today.- Darrell Beaulieu

Darrell Beaulieu is the president and CEO of Denendeh Investments. He is also a featured speaker at the World Indigenous Business Forum this week in Saskatoon.

"A lot of the First Nations are situated in the northern part of the provinces. They are very remote, markets are small, and the only activity is resource development," Beaulieu told CBC Radio.

But while many First Nations continue to try and gain some control over natural resources, Beaulieu said the right to share in the wealth is found in the original treaties with the Crown.

"We are going to share the land and resources and move forward together."

"We've got to eat today, and tomorrow and next month and we've got to be able to participate in the economy whether it's resource development or tourism or fishing, etc."

Look to the future

At the same time, Beaulieu warns that indigenous communities cannot be short sighted in developing local economies because many natural resources are non-renewable.  

"We have to start planning forward instead of just in five, 10 year increments, you know I think multi-national companies have 100 year plans."

The World Indigenous Business Forum ends Thursday in Saskatoon. It brought about 1,000 delegates to the city from ten countries from around the globe. It's the first time the forum has been held in Canada.