The leadership of Webequie and Nibinamik said they plan to hold a news conference on Friday to address the media and to announce that another First Nation has agreed to participate.

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http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/ring-of-fire-road-premature-1.4261877

The Ring of Fire is a mineral-rich area in the James Bay lowlands, about 575 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay, Ont. (CBC)

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Two northwestern Ontario First Nations near the Ring of Fire say an announcement by the provincial government that it has a deal in place to construct all-season roads into the mineral-rich area is "premature."

• Ontario pledges 'support' for year-round road access to 3 remote First Nations

On Monday, Premier Kathleen Wynne was in Thunder Bay to announce that the province had reached a deal with three Matawa First Nations — Webequie, Nibinamik and Marten Falls — that would see roads linking their communities to the provincial highway system and continuing into the Ring of Fire.

The proposed all-weather roads (shown on this map in pink) would connect Webequie, Nibinamik and Marten Falls to provincial highways. (CBC)

But in a joint statement issued late Thursday afternoon, two other communities not included in that deal — Eabametoong and Neskantaga — said those projects will "hit a dead end," if there is no "real and concrete jurisdiction agreement with First Nations."

""The reality is that all the roads to the Ring of Fire traverse the territory of our Nations, and nothing is happening without the free, prior and informed consent of our First Nations," Neskantaga Chief Wayne Moonias was quoted as saying in a written release.

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The area in the James Bay lowlands, about 575 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, which holds large amounts of chromite, nickle and copper, among other metals, has been called "a game-changer for Canada," but has yet to live up to that promise.

In 2014, the province and the nine member Matawa First Nations signed a regional framework agreement to work together on things like environmental monitoring, resource revenue sharing and infrastructure.

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne says she has a deal to build year-round roads into the Ring of Fire, a claim that some area First Nations dispute. (Heather Kitching / CBC)

But in May, Wynne sent a letter to chiefs saying she wanted to see progress in "weeks, not months," that they "should not squander" her commitment to spend $1 billion and that she would work individually with any chief who will work with her.

"I am disappointed to see an announcement by the Wynne government about building roads in our territories when there is no community approval of a proposed agreement recognizing the inherent rights and treaty rights of first Nations over territories," Eabametoong Chief Elizabeth Atlookan was quoted as saying.

Jurisdiction issues over roads not settled

At issue appears to be who would effectively own and have jurisdiction over any roads built into the Ring of Fire.

Separate negotiations between the province and the Matawa First Nations were established in 2016 to attempt to settle that issue.

Those talks have not concluded, according to the leadership of Eabametoong and Neskantaga and that "a concrete agreement" regarding jurisdiction needs to be a pre-condition for any road approvals. On Monday, Wynne said that area First Nations have "suggested a willingness to be proponents of the road," and that the province "will continue to work with them."

Thursday's statement said the province's announcement is an example of the "divisive approach," being taken by the Ontario government. On Monday, Wynne told reporters "there is no benefit ... in driving wedges where there don't need to be wedges."

Communities who signed agreement to 'clarify' their position

Eabametoong and Neskantaga aren't the only First Nations speaking out after Monday's announcement.

The leadership of Webequie and Nibinamik stated that their agreement with the province covers "a specific study that could potentially bring a multi-purpose corridor to [the] communities and the northern Ontario region."

"A multi-purpose corridor could connect the two communities to existing regional infrastructure and potential future developments," their statement said.

On Monday, Wynne said the agreement is "to build a road into the Ring of Fire."

Cornelius Wabasse is the chief of Webequie First Nation. (Heather Kitching / CBC)

Webequie and Nibinamik's leadership went on to state they are not breaking away from the regional framework agreement or another effort between the four First Nations to study options for all-weather roads in Ontario's far north.

"When the other two remote First Nations are ready to explore their own all-season road options, Webequie First Nation and Nibinamik First Nation are open to collaboration with neighbouring communities," the communities' statement said.

The leadership of Webequie and Nibinamik said they plan to hold a news conference on Friday to address the media and to announce that another First Nation has agreed to participate.