http://www.timminspress.com/2016/05/11/first-nations-have-growing-influence-in-developing-the-north

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Bob Rae, the keynote speaker for the opening session of the FONOM Conference in Timmins, told municipal leaders that First Nations across the North are seeking the same things they are; more control of what goes on in their communities and a voice at the table when decisions are made. Rae was speaking Wednesday at the three-day conference which is being held at the McIntyre Community Building.

LEN GILLIS

The Daily Press

Former Ontario premier Bob Rae told Northern Ontario’s political leaders on Wednesday they have to recognize and accept the place and role of First Nations in the growth and economic development of this part of Ontario from this day forward.

Rae, who is the advisor and chief negotiator for the Matawa Tribal Council, was the keynote speaker at the opening of the annual conference of the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM), which is on this week in Timmins.

More than 260 delegates from across Northern Ontario consisting of mayors, councillors and key staff members are at the McIntyre Community Building for the next two days to debate and discuss issues of common concern.

What makes this conference stand out is the participation of so many high profile provincial leaders including Premier Kathleen Wynne and the Ontario party leaders.

It was standing room only at the McIntyre ballroom Wednesday as former premier Rae spoke about the growing influence of First Nations in Northern Ontario.

Rae, who is now the advisor and chief negotiator for the Matawa First Nations, which has a territorial claim on the Ring of Fire mining district.

Just before Rae took the podium Kenora Mayor David Canfield had remarked that the future of Ontario is Northern Ontario.

Rae said he agreed with that statement, adding that that it applies not merely to Northern Ontario, but to all of Northern Canada.

“I think it is really important that when we think of the North, we think of all the people who live in the North,” Rae told the conference.

“We have a particular need to understand that this part of Canada, this part of Ontario is the traditional home of people who have lived in this part of the world for thousands of years, since time immemorial,” said Rae.

He said the sense of frustration can still be heard in Northern Ontario from those who suggest that First Nations consultation is just the latest in a series of frustrations and setbacks to development.

“If we had the same kinds of rules and laws and regulations back in the late 19th century and early 20th century, Sudbury would never have been built and Timmins would never “ have been developed,” Rae said he had been told recently.

“My response was to say well, certainly they would not have been developed in the same way. The existence of the natural resource would inevitably mean that something would happen. Development would take place. It would take longer. We might have polluted less. Fewer people would have died. That’s for sure,” said Rae.

At the same time he said, it would have been done without marginalizing the First Nations. Rae said he wasn’t pointing fingers or placing blame.

Rae said some of the older ideas likely come from the fact that Northern Ontario experienced unprecedented growth in the past 100 years.

“The assumption at that time was hey this is our land and we’re going to do what we want to do. The Crown is the Crown and we’ll proceed without any consultation, and without any participation and without any accommodation,” said Rae.

Things have changed said Rae. Consultation, participation and accommodation are all part of modern day law.

“There’s no point in railing against them or just saying it’s all a terrible thing. You have to understand this is now actually the law of land,” said Rae.

“My point today is to say, this is it. And so the idea that you can develop this next big extension of development in Northern Canada or Northern Ontario without the full participation of First Nations, is not only a fanciful idea, it is also an illegal idea. There’s no getting around it,” Rae said.

He added that as time moves forward so will the role and influence of the First Nations, especially in the North. Rae said the era of segregation for First Nations in the North’s economic development is ending.

Two things are changing to make that happen he said. One is that the indigenous people will exercise their legal rights and will no longer be allowing any development to take place in their territories unless they are taking part.

The other change is that those same indigenous peoples are getting more involved in economic development on their own.

“My pitch to you is very simple. What the First Nations are looking for is exactly what you’re looking for,” Rae told the municipal leaders. “They are looking for a chance to participate and take greater control of the development that is happening all around them.”

They know they cannot control commodity markets in London or Beijing or Shanghai, said Rae, but they do want to be able to talk to the companies that come to their lands to set up new ventures.