Metlakatla First Nation is quite open to businesses and has received award from B.C Achievement Foundation for Aboriginal Business by being involved in major business deals. They will engage in businesses, but not at the expense of stewardship of the land because they regard it as their responsibility to the territory. We must be careful not to violate their principles. First Nation people are sensitive to be called “Stakeholder”; a term we must avoid using at all times. Stakeholders are defined as parties who have an interest in the issue and should therefore be considered. They don't want to be grouped into that body of people who are provided with opportunities to participate at discretion of other governments. They have their own government with rights, responsibilities, and obligations to exercise just like other provincial and federal governments do. Make sure we enter as a business partner seeking for their approval to use their land, not a demanding contractor who wishes to be the one in control and focus on maximizing our benefits even if …show more content…
Last month, Metlakatla First Nation signed agreement with TransCanada Corporation on the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission project. This agreement is a great achievement. Metlakatla First Nation always has a significant interest in the Skeena estuary, and some believe that the pipeline project may harm the salmon habitat in the area. Metlakatla announces that they believe TransCanada will work diligently to ensure their way of life and environment. It shows trust and acts as an indicator of how important it is for a company to incorporate First Nation's input on environment and culture. In the terms agreed, Metlakatlas will have a role in monitoring the construction and operation of the project. They will have training and capacity development, and payments provided as long as the project is still in