Fish Lake, BC. Photo by Garth Lenz/Special to The Sun

Ever since European settlers first arrived to Canada hundreds of years ago, the possession of land has been much disputed. To this day, the Canadian government and First Nations groups are struggling to find balance between aboriginal claims to land and economic plans. This article by the Vancouver Sun exemplifies a recurring situation – where firms looking to do business on land with aboriginal claims are faced with barriers. In the case outlined in this article, a mining company, Taseko, faces opposition in the beginning stages of New Prosperity mine, a $1.1 billion copper-gold project at Fish Lake, BC. The Tsilhqot’in people who have claim to the land oppose the project, and rightfully so, as the proposed mine would destroy many of the area’s thriving ecosystems.  From Taseko’s standpoint, external social and political factors pose significant barriers. Political factors would include environmental laws and treaties with First Nations groups. Social factors would be public attitudes against the construction of a mine highly likely of harming the environment. External factors must be taken into serious consideration and strategically planned for by any successful company.