SASKATOON — The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) is asserting that resource exploration permits from the Government of Saskatchewan have no authority on First Nations’ lands.
This comes after a Toronto-based uranium resource exploration company was found twice on the Birch Narrows Dene Nation without the consent of their band council.
“Resource developers must understand that provincial permits don’t give them the green light to run roughshod over our inherent and treaty rights,” said Birch Narrows Dene Nation Chief Jonathan Sylvestre.
The FSIN says they want meaningful and proper consultation prior to any resource development or extraction on treaty and traditional lands.
“Saskatchewan has no authority to authorize permits without engaging with the Nation, and without providing the Nation the opportunity to provide input. Stay off our lands unless given consent by the First Nation,” said FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron.
For the rest of this article: https://saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/stay-off-our-lands-unless-given-consent-fsin-mining-firm-at-odds-over-exploration-on-sask-first-nation-1.5322872