RE:FN chiefs forging ties with industry Tony Marquis in this article
From a junior company's point of view, Marquis said it's been a learning experience to understand that First Nations don't always prioritize mineral exploration..
"Corporately, we're learning daily. I have to understand there are competing priorities. Water and housing is a heck of a lot more important than worrying about minerals right now, and we respect that."
Canada Chrome is a spinoff company of KWG Resources, an exploration outfit with chromite properties in the Ring of Fire. Canada Chrome's role is to study and construct a railway to the deposits in the James Bay region, hence the hiring of Marquis, a former senior executive with a combined 40 years experience with CN and CP.
To diversify its board and help with consultation, KWG brought in Fiona Blondin, a respected engagement and communications advisor, a member of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation in Northwest Territories
Marquis said on his "transformational journey" to learn about Treaty 9 and the Indigenous history of Canada, Blondin has provided them guidance to understand the power of building the kind of relationships that make for successful projects.
Blondin, he said, has guided him in the process of having "big ears" to listen and learn and respect First Nations.
Based on his conversations with professionals in the mining and transportation sectors, Marquis said corporate Canada "wants to do the right thing."
Forming genuine partnerships with First Nations can be challenging because of their history associated with the hardships of colonization but, like any marriage, forming long-term relationships must be built on a "fair and respectful" foundation, and an openness and willingness to build ownership and leadership within a company.