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-----Original Message-----
From: "Kevin Ward" <KWard@...>

Date: Tue, 9 Oct 2007 16:16:01
To:"TRA" <titleandrightsalliance@...>
Subject: [TRA] First Nation wants apology from mining CEO amid vitriol over
Kemess rejection


The Canadian Press

First Nation wants apology from mining CEO amid vitriol over Kemess rejection

VANCOUVER - The chief of the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council is demanding an
apology from the CEO of Northgate Minerals Corp. (TSX:NGX.WT) as relations
between the mining and aboriginal communities become increasingly bitter
following the rejection of a Northgate mine proposal in Northern B.C.
Chief David Luggi said since Ken Stowe made his comments at a Denver mining
forum, an electronic message board for Northgate investors has been rampant with
racist comments and a mining journal has used "extremely offensive language"
about First Nations.
"It's not kind, it's unproductive, it's quite surprising," Luggi said in
response to what he sees as sarcasm and name-calling.
The anger comes after a government panel last month ruled against Northgate's
Kemess copper and gold mine project in north-central British Columbia because of
adverse environmental, social and cultural effects.
Two week later, Stowe told a Denver mining conference the Kemess project was
rejected by an environmental review panel even though the project didn't have
any identifiable environmental impacts.
"There's things in there that went on the panel like people talking about
speaking to bears. So it's pretty hard to talk science," he said at the Sept. 25
forum.
Stowe's comments were digitally recorded and are available at
http://events.onlinebroadcasting.com/denvergold
Luggi said the comments are something he'd expect to hear amongst Grade 5
students on a playground.
"I think that he's in a desperate situation," Luggi said.
"His job is probably on the line and he's resorting to anything to hold on."
In the days after Stowe's statement, anonymous comments from Northgate investors
appeared on a Yahoo message board.
They included: "There is nothing worse than a group of pissed off Indians;" "The
only good Indian is a DEAD Indian;" and "Where is John Wayne when you need him."
Luggi said he mostly ignores those kinds of comments. But he said they indicate
some people are blaming aboriginal people for the panel's decision to reject the
operation.
In a telephone interview from Australia, Stowe said he meant no offence by his
comments and was simply stating the facts.
"It's a very significant decision. It's important to everybody involved, and
there should be discussion around it," he said.
When asked about an apology, Stowe said the request was "completely out of the
blue."
"Anybody who has taken offence, I was trying to be very factual."
Stowe also said he takes no responsibility for what people say on message
boards.
Luggi said he was also offended by an Oct. 1 editorial in the mining newspaper
Northern Miner.
The editorial read in part: "Why exactly an environmental panel comprised of
university education professional should blithely accept that
stone-age-inducing, shamanistic values such as 'water is sacred' should
automatically trump the values of Western civilization and modern science is
unstated. Pity."
Northern Miner editor John Cumming said he thought the First Nations would be
"more charitable" because they managed to stop the project.
"They seem very thin skinned," Cumming said of the First Nations. "I mean they
won."
But Luggi said that attitude needs to change if mining companies plan to work in
First Nations territory.
"The companies have to hire the appropriate staff, who have know-how and skills
to work with First Nations. It's a fact of life. We're here to stay," he said.
He said the council wants shareholders to consider Stowe's comments and the
council would like Stowe to address the eight First Nations in the council.
Stowe said everyone needs to ratchet down the level vitriol.
"It's not in anybody's interest. We should have an open, frank discussion of
issues and then have a decision and move on."