Yukon First Nations to reassure industry at mining Roundup

Yukon First Nations are hosting a reception next week at the annual B.C. Mineral Exploration Roundup as part of a show of good will towards the mining industry.

The Roundup is a place where industry, government and First Nations meet to talk deals.

Ruth Massie, the Grand Chief of the Council of Yukon First Nations, wants the industry to know First Nations in the territory want to make deals.

"We have a message to take down to industry: we are more than willing to play in the resource development process. We are still open for business," Massie says.

Massie says court battles between First Nations and the Yukon government are making the mining industry anxious.

Some in the industry blame that uncertainty, combined with a general downturn in mining, on creating a dismal situation for the grassroots level of mineral exploration in Yukon.

Massie says the First Nations' reception is a chance to talk openly and honestly with industry and let it know it's the territorial government's efforts to weaken land claim agreements and environmental laws that are causing the problems.

"We have concerns with Bill S-6. We don't want to be the ones creating uncertainty, so they'd best be talking to government."

Massie hopes the exploration industry will put pressure on Yukon premier Darrell Pasloski to change course.