Some chiefs skeptical as minister pitches First Nations partnership on major projects

By Alessia Passafiume Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson told hundreds of First Nations chiefs in Ottawa Thursday there is no good way to build major projects in this country without their partnership and leadership. “Today we see First Nations as builders, owners and partners in some of the most important energy, infrastructure and resource projects we have underway in this country,” he told chiefs gathered for the Assembly of First Nations annual general meeting in Ottawa. Not everyone in the audience seemed convinced. “We will not allow our traditional territory to be treated as an unde…