Nolan knows both sides of exploration

Three terms as Chief of Missanabie Cree has taught Glenn Nolan a lot about negotiating, discussions and what First Nations and industry want from mineral exploration and development.

April 15, 2010: Volume 37 #8, Page B6

As his third, and final, term as chief wraps up this summer, Nolan is ready to move on.

He accepted an offer from Noront Resources Ltd. late last year to join it as vice-president Aboriginal affairs.

With a background in geophysics and extensive work in his past in prospecting, Nolan felt comfortable joining the firm.

Noront is one of several firms which is working on deals with the communities around the Ring of Fire.

As chief, he had company representatives coming to him. Now he finds himself on the other side of those discussions.

“I understand the position of the chiefs,” Nolan said, adding Noront accepted the work stoppage over winter although it impacted the company.

“We want to work with the communities (Webequie and Marten Falls) ... who (overall) have felt like they are not being listened to,” Nolan said, adding an agreement is in place with Marten Falls.

Nolan said industry has come a long way since he started working in the 1970s.

“There was no such thing as community partnerships when I started working,” Nolan said.

Now partnerships exist to help both sides. As they continue, he hopes both sides can see benefits and understand the other’s position.

He understands communities have limited experience for industry to draw on, limited funds for large developments, limited skilled workforce and social issues.

But companies need to be accountable to their shareholders, funds must be spent timely and some have limited experience dealing with First Nations and may not know the proper approach.

“There is a significant cultural difference and it needs to be understood,” Nolan said.

There are plenty of opportunities for employment, Nolan said. Communities and their members just need to be ready to deliver.

Service and suppliers, camp management and skilled labour are areas youth and adults can develop or train in to be ready.

“They say by 2015, 80,000 skilled workers will be needed in Canada,” Nolan said, explaining these will be additional or new positions on top of those currently in the positions.

“There is no reasons why communities can’t be involved from the beginning to the end,” of exploration through development, Nolan said.

Nolan feels very strongly about the need to develop mineral resources.

“Development will have a profound impact on the north,” he said. “Look at the reliance on the winter roads. Economic development can’t happen without infrastructure.”

He said all-season roads could help improve the lives of First Nations residents on reserve.