Released on: November 13, 2007, 12:07 pm

Press Release Author: InvestorIdeas.com

Industry: Financial

Press Release Summary: Curtis Rattray, Chairman of the Central Council Tahltan
Nation and Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, President and CEO of NovaGold Resources Inc. (TSX:
NG)(AMEX:NG) Provide Insight into Blending First Nations Culture and Corporate
Culture to Create a Winning Formula

Press Release Body: Delta B.C. November 13, 2007 - www.InvestorIdeas.com, a leading
global investor and industry research resource portal specialized in sector
investing reports on resource based public companies in Canada and relationships and
strategies regarding First Nations. As investors read headlines of blockades and
litigation, it is fast becoming a necessary part of investor due diligence to review
and consider each public company policy and strategy regarding First Nations and the
underlying natural resources.

In the first of a new series, Investorideas.com discusses this highly volatile
issue with representatives of public companies, industry members and the First
Nations community including Chief Paul Eshkakogan, Curtis Rattray, Chairman of the
Central Council Tahltan Nation, Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, President and CEO of
NovaGold Resources Inc.(TSX:NG)(AMEX:NG), Donald A. McInnes, Vice-Chairman and CEO
of Plutonic Power Corp (TSX:PCC), industry consultants Brian Davey, First Nations
Equity Inc and Jessica Delaney, VP of PR Associates.

At the recently held Canadian Aboriginal Mining Association Conference (CAMA) in
Vancouver one of the panelists, Chief Paul Eshkakogan, Sagamok Anishnawawbek,
commented when asked by an audience member what companies have done it right "Nobody
has got it right yet, there is a lot more room for improvement."

In an interview with Investorideas.com Chief Paul Eshkakogan went on to discuss two
mining deals they have entered into in Northern Ontario and how the resulting deals
have improved working opportunities for his people but have yet to include royalty
deals. They have currently signed an interim measures agreement with URSA Major
Minerals Incorporated (TSX: UMJ) http://www.ursamajorminerals.com/ and an MOU with
CVRD Inco. http://www.inco.com/

Click here for an excerpt of the interview with Chief Paul Eshkakogan:
http://www.investorideas.com/Podcasts/audio/Paul-E111207.mp3

Hans Matthews, President, Canadian Aboriginal Minerals Association, presents his
Message regarding his position on issues relating to environment, participation,
revenue sharing and employment at:
http://www.aboriginalminerals.com/presidents_message.pdf .

On February 10, 2006, NovaGold entered into a comprehensive Participation Agreement
with the Tahltan First Nation for their support and participation in the development
of the Galore Creek project. The agreement between The Tahltan Nation and NovaGold
addresses issues outside of just employment. According to the 2006 press release -
highlights of the agreement include:

*Recognition of the Tahltan\'s traditional rights, title and interests to the project
area as well as NovaGold\'s rights to explore and develop mineral resources in the
Galore Creek Valley.

*Mutual cooperation for completing an efficient and effective Environmental Review
and Permitting Process and commitment to mitigate adverse environmental impacts
caused by the mine.

*Establishment of measures and procedures that will fully engage the Tahltan in all
aspects of environmental protection.

*Maximize training and employment of Tahltan members throughout the mine life and
create processes for ongoing dialogue regarding advancement.

*Ensure access for Tahltan businesses to maximize business opportunities for the
supply of goods and services throughout the mine life and during mine closure.

*Financial contributions by NovaGold to the Tahltan Heritage Trust Fund which will
be used to mitigate any adverse social and cultural impacts of mine development.
During mine operations, Trust Fund payments are guaranteed to be no less than
$1,000,000 annually. Upon reaching certain agreed financial targets, and subject to
positive mine operating cash flow, the trust will receive the greater of $1,000,000
or a 0.5% to 1.0% net smelter royalty each year.

*Tahltan assurances to investors and support for the project as NovaGold arrange
financing during the year ahead.

Curtis Rattray, Chairman of the Central Council, discusses the Tahltan Nation
negotiations and agreement with NovaGold Resources Galore Creek property at the
recent CAMA conference. "We felt that the leadership of NovaGold had a different set
of philosophies. They are younger and had a different set of experiences, in
particular, Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, who grew up amongst First Nations and had a
respect for First Nations. "

Click here for the interview with Curtis Rattray:
http://www.investorideas.com/Podcasts/audio/Curtis-R111207.mp3

NovaGold Resources Inc. (TSX: NG) (AMEX:NG ) http://www.novagold.net Rick Van
Nieuwenhuyse, President and CEO , also interviewed at the CAMA conference, discussed
their Galore Creek property agreement philosophy. "In the modern world, you need a
social license to mine- and if you don't have it - you're going to have delays. It
makes good business sense to have a local partnership with the local community where
you build trust ."
For the full interview click here :( please note there are some background noises
from the conference in this interview)
http://www.investorideas.com/Podcasts/audio/NovaGold-111207.mp3

From mining companies including Liberty Mines (TSX.V: LBE), to oil and gas companies
Bronco Energy Ltd. (TSX.V: BCF) and Blacksands Petroleum (OTCBB: BSPE), to renewable
energy company Plutonic Power Corporation (TSX: PCC), there have been several
successful agreements executed that benefit both the public companies and the First
Nations communities.

According to Donald A. McInnes, Vice-Chairman and CEO of Plutonic Power Corp,
regarding its Run-Of-River Project and the First Nations and Business Community,
"The company strategy is that it is going to be a win -win if you work with First
Nations people and communicate early". To hear additional comments from Mr. McInnes
click here: http://investorideas.com/Podcasts/audio/103007a.mp3

Brian Davey, Managing Partner, First Nations Equity Inc., an industry consultant
reminds us of some the success stories that may not make the news.

"There are many First Nation mining exploration deals that occur under the radar
screen that are beneficial to the First Nation and the exploration company.
Unfortunately, we never hear about them"

"In my experience, the common elements in First Nation/mining exploration agreements
that win are elements related to proper financial resources for the First Nation to
represent themselves, meaningful consultation with the community, employment and
business opportunities to the extent that they are available, environmental
protection, transfer payments, and assured access to land for the exploration
company."

"A person needs at least grade 12 to work in the mining industry. Since many of our
students do not complete high school we have a great challenge before us. We must
correct this problem now if we want our young people to work in the industry."

First Nations Equity offers financial and management consulting services on
corporate and community project financings, business partnerships, joint ventures,
business development, impact and benefit agreement negotiations, consultations with
First Nations, and economic and business research.
http://www.firstnationsequity.com/

For companies that are currently in, or entering into agreements, with First
Nations, there are risk analysis tools available to evaluate the risk and rewards,
developed by a PR firm that specializes in relationships with resource companies and
First Nations communities. Jessica Delaney, VP, of PR Associates, discusses the 25
variables and factors . She comments, " We believe that given an effective tool the
industry can be much more responsive". She went on to say" At the end of the day
we need to look at building open and honest communciation and actively trying to
learn more about the communities in which we work in."
To listen to the full interview click here
:http://investorideas.com/Podcasts/audio/110207a.mp3

The bottom line for investors and public companies in the sector is -you can invest
in a mutually beneficial long term relationship with a respect and win for all
parties, or take a path of resistance with all the related costs, delays and
potential litigation.

Investorideas.com invites members of the business community and First Nations to
discuss and comment on this issue for future articles, releases and Podcasts.
Investorideas.com is in the initial stages of preparing a documentary on related
topics entitled "A Time to Be Brothers ", themed on incorporating and blending both
cultures to create an overall win for the environment. As global warming issues
become an issue of concern for all cultures; how we develop or exploit our natural
resources will impact all of us.

About InvestorIdeas.com:
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specialized in sector investing covering over thirty industry sectors and global
markets including China, India, the Middle East and Australia.


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For more information contact:
Dawn Van Zant: 800-665-0411 - dvanzant@investorideas.com



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Contact Details: Dawn Van Zant: 800-665-0411 - dvanzant@investorideas.com