Camp riles First Nation chief

A remote First Nation says it has resumed blockading frozen airstrips in the Ring of Fire, but a mining company operating in the area has not yet seen any evidence of that.
A document sent to The Chronicle-Journal from Marten Falls First Nation, said that the band had resumed the blockade Monday in an attempt to force mining companies to sign memorandums of understanding and exploration agreements before continuing with any developments in the Ring of Fire, a chromite deposit in the James Bay Lowlands that falls on traditional First Nation territory.
In the document, Marten Falls said it intends to cut off access to several mining camps, including those at Koper and McFaulds lakes.
The First Nation cites the construction and use of the camp at Koper Lake as a major concern. The camp is being used by mining companies Fancamp and KWG, and was built without consulting Marten Falls first, the document said.
That, the First Nation said, means the camp violates the rights of Marten Falls members.
Marten Falls Chief Elijah Moonias did not return several calls for comment Tuesday.
KWG president Frank Smeenk said Tuesday that company employees working in the Ring of Fire haven’t seen any evidence of a blockade.
As for the contested camp, Smeenk said KWG consulted with Webequie Logistics, which is run by Webequie First Nation, about it.
“We’re trying to do business with the First Nations businesses that are available,” he said. “Webequie Logistics is one of the few that is.
“We have contracted with them for meals and accommodation,” Smeenk said. “That’s the long-and-short of it for us.”
Webequie Logistics representatives couldn’t be reached Tuesday.
If the blockade is in effect, it would mark the second time landing strips in the Ring of Fire have been shut down by First Nations. Marten Falls and Webequie launched a blockade in January 2010; it lasted about two months before the First Nations agreed to end it.
At the time, they said they’d work with the province and mining companies over the following six months to ensure all First Nation concerns were addressed.
The concerns included job training and employment for band members, environmental accountability and completing construction of a new airport.
“We did what we were asked,” Smeenk said.
He added, however, that Moonias has made no secret of the fact that he’s unhappy about the Koper Lake camp, and KWG has heard that Moonias has been trying to round up support for another blockade.
Northern Development, Mines and Forestry Minister Michael Gravelle said his ministry is working with Moonias on the matter.
“We want to be able to help find a resolution to their concerns,” Gravelle said. “I’m still waiting to get more-specific information in terms of what this will mean.”
Marten Falls has invited other nearby First Nations to join the blockade, the document said.