Cold Lake anticipates working relationship with Korea.

A Memorandum of Understanding signed between Cold Lake First Nations and a county in South Korea could open both cultural and economic doors for the northeast First Nation.

South Korea may be miles away from the Cold Lake First Nation, but there's nothing like kindred spirituality to melt away the obstacles posed by geography.

"I think we share a very common understanding of how the different countries have treated us," said Chief Walter Janvier, who was part of a delegation to the Asian country late last year.

"In particular, South Korea has been invaded by Japan and China and others, so they know what it's like to be oppressed or controlled by another nation. They see how First Nations are treated in Canada and America and they can associate with that very closely."

Add in elements of linguistics and protocol that the two cultures found out they shared, and a great deal of mutual respect was quickly earned, enough to look at the potential of doing business together.

"That fostered a good relationship and we are looking at the business opportunities that are in the Far East," said Janvier, who anticipates learning from South Korea's expertise in manufacturing.

In March, Janvier signed an MOU with County of Cheongsong Mayor Han DongSoo. It was just one of a number of MOUs signed by Alberta First Nations when a South Korean delegation was at the World Trade Centre in Edmonton. The MOUs build on a partnership that has already formed with South Korea.

Edmonton's Spring Fresh Investment and Developments Inc. is overseeing the creation of a Canadian structure at the Jewang Mountain Canadian Eco Resort and Spa, near a national park 250 km southwest of Seoul, South Korea's capital.

It's an endeavour reported worth $400 million, which will take five years to complete. The first phase, which will include an assortment of teepees, an igloo (which will be refrigerated to withstand the country's climate), hotel, cultural centre and a forum for Aboriginal entertainment, is expected to be completed before the end of 2010.

Janvier said that Spring Fresh President Jae Sim, a Korean who's lived in Canada for 35 years, is an ardent fan of Aboriginal culture and saw the economic potential between bridging the two cultures.

"He went to the pow wows and saw a lot of the culture," said Janvier. "That's why he wants to marry a lot of First Nation dance, song and other forms of entertainment with the Korean entertainers. He wanted to mix them up and have that as part of a tourist draw in the Cheongsong county of Korea."

In March, a Korean contingent of entertainers visited Casino Dene at Cold Lake First Nation for a night of traditional song and dance.

Janvier believes the cultural exchanges have helped erase any Aboriginal stereotypes the South Koreans have had about First Nations people in North America.

"Their understanding of us was from what they were exposed to from films the Americans left over from the Korean War, so they had the Hollywood-type images of us," he said. "When we went there, we showed them all the stuff we were doing, all the businesses we are involved in and all the positive things that were happening. They were impressed and got a better understanding of who we were and what we were all about."

While Janvier believes the buzz over the economic potential of South Korea is good with the rest of the council members, he said there is still a lot of work to be done before committing to any endeavours.

"It's like anything else," he said. "We need time to do our due diligence, have to look at numbers and what kind of benefit that will flow to our nations."

GENE KOSOWAN

Sweetgrass Writer

Cold Lake First Nation