First Nations First Hear Of New Platinex Claims In Their Territory Through Media

Just yesterday I wrote a piece about the reaction of Platinex to the firestorm that they have created in the KI First Nation by not consulting them about development in their community. James Trusler, President and CEO of Platinex, came out in an interview with the Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal Thursday and showed that he really doesn't get it. He tried to paint himself and his company as the real victims here, attacked Ontario NDP Leader Howard Hampton, insinuated that Mr. Hampton is trying to escalate the situation, and refused to actually speak to the concerns that the First Nations community actually have. It was an abject failure for a PR move to say the least.

Also earlier in the week, it was announced that Platinex was granted new mining claims by the McGuinty Liberal government, for over 71,000 acres, as a reward for their unethical business behaviour. That, of course, came as a big surprise to the leaders of the new communities that have to deal with Platinex. Today, the Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal printed confirmation of that surprise, as both the Matawa First Nations and Gull Bay First Nation told the Chronicle Journal that they learned of these new claims through the media. I guess that's Mr. Trusler's way of consulting with these First Nations. The leaders of these Nations also told this to Mr. Hampton. The leaders also told Mr. Hampton that they have built positive relationships with other mining companies that have worked with them to ensure that their cultures, rights, and interests are honoured. Basically, they are expecting Platinex as with all mining and exploration companies, to respect their First Nations‘ consultation and accommodation protocol and requirements. That's something that other mining companies have agreed to do, so why not Platinex???

Gull Bay First Nation Chief Wilfred King was also quoted in the piece, talking about his concerns about the Platinex claim in his area. He's quoted as saying the following:

"I think there has to be interaction with the communities, via face-to-face-meetings... I think they should be dealing with the communities in the very beginning...I know that other companies have made it very clear they want to work with First Nations communities in terms of resource sharing, development and partnerships... I think that is the only way to go in the future."

Mr. King also pointed to a platinum mine that already exists in the Gull Bay area. He pointed to how that development has done very little for the benefit of his community, stating the following:

"There is very little benefit accruing to our community," King said, noting the high unemployment rate among Gull Bay residents. “Everybody else has gotten rich and our people are still living in abject poverty in Gull Bay"

From the behaviours and actions of Mr. Trusler and Platinex, it looks like that's exact what they want to repeat in Gull Bay. If they didn't want to make a quick buck of the back of these First Nations, why wouldn't they do a proper consultation with these communities and work out agreements with these communities just like Richview Resources did with Mishkeegogamang First Nation just this week? They came to an agreement that truly benefits both communities, yet Mr. Trusler seems to be fight back against doing just that kind of thing.

Now, what does Mr. Trusler have to say about all of this??? Well, let's just say that his words really belay his ignorance on the matter and shows that he is either really dedicated to this terrible PR scheme of his or he has just decided to ignore what's really going on around him. Here's what he said:

"As far as I‘m concerned, no one is angry except Howard Hampton... We have had some communications with various bands. There is no one protesting – they just want to proceed with discussions, which is the normal way of doing things... I don‘t think he should go around causing problems for people... If he doesn‘t like the owner of a corner store, for instance, why would he try to bring down a large group of people to interfere with their business?"

Wow, what else can you say to that piece of stunning stupidity but wow? I guess that Mr. Trusler didn't hear about the hundreds of people that have turned out to protest his company's actions. I guess he didn't realized that the entire group of Chiefs of Ontario was out there protesting just this week. I guess he didn't hear that the current National Chief and a former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations were out protesting this move. I'm a big fan of Mr. Hampton and he's a great guy, but he doesn't possess so much power that he can "summon" these Aboriginal leaders by snapping his fingers and saying "be here at this time... bring hundreds to protest". As for the "corner store" analogy, that just goes to further show his ignorance about what's going on. Sorry Mr. Trusler, I can't just "go to another store" if the owner of that store sets up shop in my living room without my permission. Neither can these First Nations. You're trying to set up your business in their homes without being invited or their permission. How do you expect them to react to that??? When you read the words that Mr. Trusler is being quoted with, one thing becomes very clear very fast: he doesn't want to point the finger of blame towards First Nations for protesting out of fear of what might happen if he does. He's decided to blame Mr. Hampton, who is standing up for his constituents, and basically acting like the local First Nations wouldn't be protesting if it wasn't for Mr. Hampton. That's just complete bull.

Right now, with everything that has happened thus far, I don't blame Chief King from Gull Bay for being concerned about dealing with Platinex. What happens if he says no to them? Will his band get sued for $10 Billion??? Will he and his council get jailed for protesting peacefully if they choose do to so??? Right now Mr. Trusler and his company does not seem to be looking to work with First Nations as equal partners and seems to be more interesting in walking all over them to make another quick buck. Given the track record of Platinex at this point, any First Nation who might have to deal with them has good reason to be concerned about what might happen to them, and that's no ones fault but Platinex's. This business hasn't conducted itself in an ethical matter when dealing with First Nations, as many others have, and naturally there are consequences for that. And now like a spoiled 5 year old who's been told they've done something wrong, Platinex is throwing a hissy fit and doesn't want to accept that they've done anything wrong. Bad behaviour begets bad behaviour, and Platinex's unethical and disrespectful behaviour towards KI First Nation has given them a bad reputation, a reputation that has been well earned. There is only one way out of this for Platinex and Mr. Trusler, and that's to negotiate with good faith with all First Nations that they want to do development near. Sadly, that doesn't seem to be a route that Platinex is interested in pursuing, and that's something that they have no one else but themselves to blame for.Recommend this Post