Nishnawbe Aski Nation officials want to be involved in Ring of Fire negotiations.
Deputy Grand Chief Les Louttit said the political organization welcomes Tuesday’s appointment of former Supreme Court Justice Frank Iacobucci as lead negotiator for the province in their talks with Matawa Tribal Council, which will be represented by former Ontario premier Bob Rae.
However, NAN hopes the province understands that it still wants to be part of those discussions.
“Somehow we’ve got to be involved in the process,” said Louttit. “This development is going to be so huge. We don’t know the scope of it yet nor the value of all the extractions.”
“In our view, it’s a treaty-wide resource and we believe that not only the most impacted First Nation should benefit, but all the rest of the NAN First Nations,” he said.
Louttit said they have been in talks with the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines about the issue and plan to submit a formal written request to be included in negotiations.
The organization is trying to get a meeting with Minister Michael Gravelle and perhaps Premier Kathleen Wynne to begin the conversation.
“We are expecting we will be recognized,” said Louttit.
Iacobucci will report to Gravelle and will work toward a negotiated framework between the province, First Nations and industry to address issues like environmental protection, infrastructure and revenue sharing.
