Indigenous business leaders support push to build major projects but want ‘terms that work for us’ [Video]

Indigenous business leaders gathered outside Calgary this week for an energy industry conference say they’re not opposed to building major projects quickly — in fact, they’re all for it. 

But as Ontario and B.C. pass bills criticized by First Nations in those provinces for trampling on their rights in the service of fast-tracking infrastructure, they warn that Canada risks backsliding into a more contentious relationship with Indigenous communities that will ultimately delay projects further.

“Broadly speaking, are First Nations or Indigenous communities opposed to development? Absolutely not. Are we opposed to resource projects? Absolutely not. Energy generation? Absolutely not. We want to participate on terms that work for us,” said John Rowinski, CEO of the Zhooniya Makak Limited Partnership with Hiawatha First Nation, who is from the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte near Belleville, Ont.

“Frankly, they would likely find much less opposition to these projects if they showed …