Ontario says it has consulted First Nations about building a road to the Ring of Fire. Here’s what the province heard
As Ontario debates the Northern Road Link, leadership from Indigenous communities across northern Ontario comment on the project.
On Thursday, in Ontario’s provincial legislature, NDP Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa prepared to clash with Ontario Minister of Indigenous Affairs Greg Rickford.
This spring, Mamakwa and Rickford have repeatedly argued in the provincial legislature about the Northern Road Link Project — a plan to build a highway to increase mining in northern Ontario’s Ring of Fire region. The proposed area for the development lies about 500 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, upon land covered by James Bay Treaty Nine.
While leadership of several First Nations in the region have stated they support the economic opportunities that come with development, other First Nations are concerned about the project’s impact to the land and the nearby Attawapiskat and Albany rivers. Last month, Mamakwa brought First Nation’s comments about development before Queen’s Park as 85 members of five First Nations watched from above in the gallery. Now, Mamakwa stood once again before the assembly to raise Neskantaga First Nation’s concerns.
Watch the whole interaction in the legislative assembly on April 20. Video uploaded to Youtube by Ontario Legislative Assembly.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to COGS to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.