Grand Chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation Alvin Fiddler speaks at a news conference against Bill C-5 in the Foyer of the House of Commons in Ottawa, on June 17.Justin Tang/The Canadian Press
Chiefs in Northern Ontario say they are working together to come up with a plan to ensure governments are required to respect their treaty and inherent rights as major projects get under way in their territories early next year.
The Nishnawbe Aski Nation, which is made up of 49 nations, passed a resolution this week agreeing to develop the action plan aimed at ensuring their right to free, prior and informed consent is respected as the federal and provincial governments move to fast-track resource projects.
The chiefs noted road construction on the Ring of Fire, an area that Premier Doug Ford claims holds reserves of critical minerals that are key the province’s future, is due to start as early as June.
The chiefs, gathered in Thunder Bay, said they were concerned the governments were deploying divide-and-conquer tactics. While many chiefs in the region fear being left out of the planning for such projects, at least one has said the fast-track plan could have important economic development benefits for communities.
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The resolution states it is necessary to strategize a response “to ensure that Treaty Nations’ positions are as strong as possible in negotiations, consultations, and litigation.”
The chiefs say the implementation of newly passed legislation by both federal and provincial governments to fast-track resource development “poses a high risk of treaty and Aboriginal rights infringements.”
Chief Gary Quisess of Neskantaga First Nation said it is vital the 49 leaders from Nishnawbe Aski Nation stand together despite any differences between them.
Mr. Quisess says the province should ensure all First Nations in the territory, including his, which has been under a boil-water advisory for 30 years, are properly consulted so that they can benefit from the promised economic prosperity of the Ring of Fire.
“A four-litre of milk is $15, and baby milk is $100 something, a box of burgers is $88. Where’s the prosperity on that?” Mr. Quisess said about the higher cost of food in remote First Nations such as Neskantaga, about 430 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay.
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Mr. Quisess told The Globe and Mail on Friday that the community’s nursing station remains closed after it was flooded with a strong fuel smell in April, forcing the evacuation of about 130 people who needed immediate access to health care services.
He said it’s not just their treaty and inherent rights at risk but their cultures and livelihoods.
“It’s a human rights issue, it’s genocide ... I think that’s where its heading,” Mr. Quisess said.
Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler accused the governments of being hostile when he addressed the NAN chiefs on Wednesday.
“They don’t tell us anything about what they’re planning to do, that they’ve totally forgotten about their constitutional and legal obligations to sit with [chiefs] in a respectful way.” Mr. Fiddler said.
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Mr. Ford says construction on the road could begin as soon as next June, though he would need the federal government to drop an impact assessment he says is duplicative of the work Webequie First Nation has already done on a nearly complete environmental assessment.
The initial roadwork has the support of Webequie, a remote, fly-in community within the Ring of Fire, who signed an agreement with Ontario late last month.
Chief Cornelius Wabasse said at the time that the deal will provide his community with badly needed mental health resources and support, as well as nearly $40-million to build a community centre with an arena, rebuild its airport terminal that recently burned down and buy materials and equipment to begin early work on a road to the proposed Ring of Fire mining site.
Mr. Wabasse says the Webequie Supply Road is a pathway to economic opportunity for his isolated community, which can only be reached by air or via a winter road that is increasingly shrinking in length because of climate change.
Mr. Quisess says the province is already obligated to ensure all First Nations have adequate airports and is playing divide and conquer with piecemeal offerings.
“It’s nothing to do with the Ring of Fire ... if one airport gets an expansion, everybody should get an expansion, no matter where the community stands.”
With a report from The Canadian Press