It's clear that in the past 150 years first nations have not been involved in Canada's natural resource industry. The National Coalition of Chiefs recognizes this and would like more participatory inclusion in major projects. If we had ownership in the Giant Mine in the Northwest Territories back in the fifties and sixties, we wouldn't have the environmental destruction we have right now. If there were Northwest Territories first nation members on the boards of these big corporations, you wouldn't see the environmental damage you have today.
The oil and gas industry is moving towards that. Right now, we have the big six getting first nations people on their boards. First nations people are helping to manage the environmental protection plan that is going in place right now out there. I am on the board of Emissions Reduction Alberta. It has funded over $1 billion to advance technological research into finding new sources of sustainable green energy.
It's these kinds of movements that are moving forward. We're proud to be part of the oil and gas industry in doing what we can for the 14,000 self-identified indigenous workers in that industry.