Mine CEO: Natives have "hand out"

Canada seems to have a lot of land rights conflicts. In this case, a mining company wants to dig for gold on land over which a tribe claims treaty rights.

Natives have 'hand out,' says mine CEO

By Sebastien PerthAccording to Clark, many other companies have had no problem doing their exploration work in co-operation with First Nations groups.

"As the (Wahgoshig First Nation) chief said, they are working with other groups. Other groups understood that that's what the First Nation wanted, consultation. It's kinda like putting up a fence--you tell your neighbour you're putting up a fence," Clark said.

Stretch had a different backyard analogy for his situation.

"How would you feel if before you mowed the lawn at your house you have to go around to ask permission and pay them all?" Stretch said.

He said Solid Gold's shareholders are the only group to which he needs to answer.

"It's my shareholders' treasure. I will fight until I can't breathe anymore to protect my shareholders' treasure. Other companies are fully entitled to (deal with First Nations), but I'm not going to do that. I will not be extorted, I will not be forced to enter a business arrangement with anyone, any third party.

"No reasonable business with shareholders to answer to would give money to somebody else just because they had their hand out."Comment:  Naturally, the white-owned company shows complete disdain for the concept of treaty rights. It's borderline racist to claim the Natives care only about money, not their ancestral rights to the land. Maybe Stretch didn't intend it, but he sounds like every other person stereotyping Indians as welfare moochers.

For more on the subject, see GOP America:  Strivers vs. Parasites and Romney:  47% Are Moochers.