March 22, 2010

Northern Ontario First Nations demand consultation on chromite mining

TORONTO

The First Nations communities surrounding a potentially massive chromite deposit in northern Ontario known as the Ring of Fire say it will take more than lip-service from politicians to ensure development goes ahead on the valuable land.

Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle was to visit several First Nations communities this week to discuss concerns around the Ring of Fire — a mining opportunity that’s been described by Premier Dalton McGuinty as key to economic recovery.

It’s a trip First Nations welcome, but one they say won’t move development along unless their right to provide consent for work on their land is legitimately taken into account.

“It’s nice when a politician comes to our territory and talks to us. It’s a learning experience for them and I hope what they’ll hear us and they’ll take it to heart,” said Grand Chief Stan Beardy of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, which represents 49 First Nations communities.

“But at the end of the day there’s political rhetoric and there’s a legal requirement to fulfil.”

In January, a group of First Nations angry about what they consider a lack of consultation set up a blockade on the landing strips at Koper and McFaulds lakes in the Ring of Fire, about 500 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay.

The action is preventing planes used by mining companies from landing in the area. The group says it will continue the blockade until all parties agree to address community concerns, such as speeding up construction of a new airport and ending the use of frozen lakes as landing strips.

The First Nations aren’t against developing the land, said Beardy, because they know that’s the only way to create economic opportunities. But they want to make sure they too benefit from the development and that they play a key role at all stages.

Canadian Press

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