Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde comments came at the First Minister Meeting today in Montreal.
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde says permits and licenses shouldn't be given out by government until companies have established a good relationship with local First Nations where they're working.
The statement came at the First Ministers Meeting in Montreal today, and Bellegarde identified procurement, employment and revenue sharing as specific ways for companies to engage more with local First Nations.
During the meeting, Bellegarde also said ignoring the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples would restrict trade and development for those countries.
Recruiting and keeping First Nations on advisory councils, corporate boards and decision-making bodies were other ways Bellegarde said as ways to improve opportunities for First Nations.
The National Indigenous Economic Development Board suggests Canada misses out on $27.7 billion dollars annually to due under-utilization of the Indigenous workforce.

YG releases Connected Health Strategy
YG launches Power Potential Portal
Whitehorse hosts international broomball tournament
YG expands Peak Smart incentives
YG calls for Building UP project proposals
RRDC signs Stewardship Authority agreement with YG
Yukon Party reflects on one year of strong stewardship
RCMP begins search and rescue activities for missing Whitehorse man
Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in citizens start podcast
Independent review panel publishes first status report in Department of Education review
ATCO Electric Yukon Gets $7.5M to Fix Billing Issues with Smart Meters
Yukon NDP calls on Yukon government to investigate electricity billing concerns
Youth investment fund supports 13 community projects across Yukon
FNNND challenges Mayo Dam spillway project over treaty and fish passage concerns
First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun youth benefit as mining firms fund mayo school sports
BC man convicted of manslaughter
Hamilton Boulevard trail cleared as winter pilot project wraps up
Yukon RCMP roll out new navy-blue uniform shirts
Yukon releases final flood maps for Dawson, Klondike Valley, Upper Liard