Nishnawbe Aski Nation's Grand Chief warns that development of the Ring of Fire won’t go ahead unless First Nation communities can feel a positive economic impact.
Wawatay News is reporting the province has plans to subsidize a privately operated road from Nakina to the Ring of Fire. The road would be used to transport ore from the mines but wouldn’t connect to any of the neighbouring First Nation communities.
NAN Grand Chief Harvey Yesno said if any infrastructure development happens in that area then it must benefit First Nations in a positive way.
If that doesn’t happen then the mining companies and the government won’t be allowed to continuing development in the Ring of Fire, he said.
“Nothing is going to happen up North unless it positively impacts the communities,” he said.“I suppose if push comes to shove, if (First Nation communities) are not going to be included, if the governments are totally going to ignore what the communities have been saying as far as impacts and access issues and the cost of power then yes, that will be the final option. They will do whatever they can to stop this.”
He said the two companies that are in the area want different transportation options. One company would prefer a railroad while another wants a haul road.
Regardless of which one, Yesno said communities have been asking for all weather roads for years and want development to continue moving forward.
“The communities want to take advantage of that opportunity to bring access and address some of their issues in their communities,” he said.
“Our position is to support the communities. Any major infrastructure development in their area and they have made it loud and clear that they want access. They would like to see transmission lines brought into the communities.”
