Historic deal

Four Northern Ontario First Nations have signed what they’re calling a landmark agreement they hope will lead to the ownership, development and control of a proposed east-west corridor servicing the Ring of Fire.

Chiefs from Webequie, Neskantaga, Eabametoong and Nibinamik First Nations met on Wednesday in Thunder Bay to sign the document, making the long-sought-after deal a reality.
“I see this collaborative agreement as history-in-the-making among the four First Nations who are now taking control of our traditional homelands and are becoming a force to be reckoned with,” Webequie Chief Cornelius Wabasse said in a stately jointly issued by the four communities.

The goal of the agreement is for the First Nations involved to recognized the maximum possible benefit from the corridor, which would be used primarily to ship materials and supplies in an out of the Ring of Fire, a chromite-rich deposit located about 500 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay.

 “This is an important step that will ensure our communities are actively involved in the planning, development and operation of this preferred corridor with the other three communities, and that all of the impacted communities benefit socially and economically from this development,” said Neskantaga First Nation Chief Peter Moonias.

The plan also mitigates environmental concerns, says Eabametoong Chief Harry Papah, providing the framework to work collaboratively on a route that works for everyone.

“This preferred route allows our First Nations to pursue vital development opportunities while minimizing the corridor’s impact on species at risk and overall environmental footprint,” he said.