Saskatchewan First Nations sign $800-million deal with Taiwan

Jason Warick, Canwest NewsService Published: Friday, July 25, 2008

National Post

SASKATOON -- The $800-million resource deal signed on a recent trade mission to Taiwan is "the way of the future," for Saskatchewan First Nations, says the chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN).

Saskatchewan First Nations people are sick of accepting "leftovers" from the provincial and federal governments and are making deals abroad to secure their economic independence, said FSIN Chief Lawrence Joseph at a news conference Thursday.

Joseph discussed the resource deal -- as well as plans for Taiwanese businesses to invest $37 million in a hog operation at the Beardy's & Okemasis First Nation - with Beardy's Chief Rick Gamble and consultant Ken Thomas.

"The Taiwanese leaders have been very respectful, dealing with us on a nation-to-nation basis," Joseph said. "We are going to take advantage of the opportunity. It's a win-win situation. It's extremely exciting. I view this as the way of the future."

Gamble agreed. "We wanted to make sure First Nations got a piece of the action,"he said. "I don't want to keep relying on government handouts."

A memorandum of understanding has been signed by the Chinese Petroleum Corporation (of Taiwan) and the Indian Oilsands Corporation, which represents several Saskatchewan First Nations, including Beardy's. They have hired a group of Calgary consultants to assist them, Thomas said.

The Saskatchewan First Nations are in the process of securing land in northwestern Saskatchewan under the Treaty Land Entitlement process. If approved, the Chinese Petroleum Corporation has agreed to invest $800 million in the exploration and development of the area's potential oil wealth. Thomas said the $800 million is only an initial amount, and more investment is likely if the development fulfils its potential.

In total, the development could be worth several billion dollars. The goal is for Saskatchewan First Nations to have control over the entire chain of events, from exploration to extraction to processing, he said.

Several other bands have been invited to participate, so the project could grow even more, Thomas said.

Joseph said before his delegation left for Taiwan, the FSIN met with Premier Brad Wall and several provincial ministers, informing them of their intentions. The provincial officials were supportive, Joseph said.