NAN Flag (File Photo)
The Nishnawbe Aski Nation is concerned by the comments made by Premier Ford during his visit to the region.
On Saturday, the Premier said agreements are in place to build roads to the Ring of Fire.
“Premier Ford’s promise to ‘unlock’ the Ring of Fire and fast-track development is a direct attack on the Inherent, Treaty, and Aboriginal rights of First Nations who have governed and stewarded
these lands since time immemorial,” said Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler. “These are not ‘Ontario’s minerals; they exist within our territories, and any attempt to dictate their development without our full and meaningful involvement is an overreach of provincial authority and represents a complete failure to understand and honour the relationship between the government and First Nations in Ontario.”
In a release, NAN acknowledges the promise of investment in the Aboriginal Participation Fund, but they say the investment does not equate to consent for First Nations people.
“Predictability and certainty for businesses and industry partners can only be achieved when First Nations are true partners in decision-making,” said NAN in a release. “The political cycle always changes, but jurisdiction, governance, and stewardship of our lands remain constant and must be upheld.”
The lands and waters of the Ring of Fire hold deep cultural, environmental, and economic significance for First Nations.
NAN says policies aimed at cutting red tape or expediting approvals cannot override the authority of First Nations.
The organization is calling on Premier Ford and the Ontario government to immediately retract these assertions and uphold the promises that the government made in Treaty that respects First Nations as full partners and not election pawns.
“If Ontario is serious about advancing its critical minerals strategy and furthering development in the North, it must commit to working with all affected Nations as partners,” added Fiddler. “Election promises do not equate to meaningful action, and First Nations do not operate on short-term political timelines.”
“The unilateral will of the day’s government will not dictate the speed of development on our lands, and continuing to disregard our legal rights serves to reinforce the colonial and racist approach that we have always had to fight against.”
