Here we are 4 weeks from the Ontario election...and I can't help reflecting back on something from last year  that made me wonder  ....why?

I keep thinking to myself, “Why did you request that, Marten Falls?”

Let me explain.

Last October, Wynne's 2 new ridings were passed.

Two new ridings called Kiiwetinoong and Mushkegowuk-James Bay. Kiiwetinoong is a majority Indigenous riding, while Mushkegowuk-James Bay has a population that’s about one-third Indigenous and 60 per cent francophone.

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/10/24/northern-ontario-to-have-2-new-ridings-in-next-years-election-to-boost-indigenous-representation.html

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When you click on the maps below you'll see which reserves are listed in ridings of  Kiiwetinoong and Mushkegowuk.

But, this is where is all got ..interesting.

When you click on the first link below, you will see a preliminary recommendation from the gov’t.

You will see that Marten Falls First Nation was put in the Kiiwetinoong section, along with reserves like, webequie, nibinamik, neskantaga, eabametoong

https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/electoral-boundaries-commission-proposes-two-new-ridings-666538

But then discussions took place…and this document came out in August. You can see below that Marten Falls wanted MORE time to see which PED they wanted to be located in.

August 21, we got the road announcement. Wynne stated she would work with who wanted the road., Eabametoong and Neskantaga were not shown as part of the East west road. There was some fall out after the announcement.Matawa FN then spoke about the MOU signed …..

Below is a pdf with details

https://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/about/pubs/fnebc/

"The Indigenous population of Mushkegowuk will be primarily Cree while Kiiwetinoong will be primarily Oji-Cree and Ojibwe.

Moving Marten Falls to be in the PED(Provincial Electoral District), that shares a common language and history originally struck us as appropriate, though we then learned from the Chief of Marten Falls First Nation that the First Nation wished to have more time to consider whether they would prefer to change the PED in which they are located.

The FNEBC encourages the legislature to reach out to Marten Falls First Nation as to its preference to be located in Mushkegowuk or Kiiwetinoong. 

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So what did Marten Falls decide? Did they stay in the Kiiwetinong section or ask to be moved to the Mushkegowuk section?

The link below, which was made final in Oct. of last year, shows the final map of the provincial electoral districts of these 2 ridings....and you'll see  the Chief of Marten Falls First Nation chose to move Marten Falls PED to the Mushkegowuk side. 

https://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/about/pubs/fnebc/image/3500.jpg

Why? 

There are approx. 252 people living at Marten Falls FN reserve based on the 2016 census.

Adding 252 voting people to a number already at around 30,000 wouldn't provide much voting sway if this was the reason.

so why the request? Was this move made to send out a message to the other FN's?

Was the August 21, 2018 road fiasco, a reason? Did the fall out after the August 21 road announcement create the final decision for the Chief of Marten Falls in regards to this PED choice of change.

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Last week this historic deal got announced. Wow, tax sharing revenues of  45 per cent from future mines in the areas. I bet Mushkegowuk Tribal council would love to have Marten Falls hop over to their side.

I can’t help but think  that the move by the Chief of Marten Falls to request the gov’t to move Marten Falls PED to the Mushkegowuk side …seems like a direct message being sent. Why should Marten Falls have to keep waiting. The ROF resides entirely on their traditional land. They are shareholders of Noront, they want to build a road, and if they left the Matawa Tribal council and moved to the Mushkegowuk tribal council, they would get 45% sharing of mining tax revenues for any new mines as per the deal made last week.

https://news.ontario.ca/mndmf/en/2018/05/ontario-partners-with-first-nations-to-share-forestry-and-mining-revenues.html

Province Signs Historic Resource Revenue Sharing Agreements

May 3, 2018 9:00 A.M.

Ministry of Northern Development and Mines

Ontario and First Nations partners have signed historic resource revenue sharing agreements in mining and forestry - the first of their kind in the province.

These agreements with First Nations, represented by Grand Council Treaty #3, Wabun Tribal Council and Mushkegowuk Council, commit Ontario to sharing 45 per cent of government revenues from forestry stumpage, 40 per cent of the annual mining tax and royalties from active mines at the time the agreements were signed, and 45 per cent from future mines in the areas covered by the agreements.

Resource revenue sharing will enable First Nations to share in the economic benefits of forestry and mining operations near their communities. The First Nations will have full control of the allocation of these funds into key initiatives that support economic development, education, health, community and cultural priorities.

Resource revenue sharing is one of many steps on Ontario's journey of healing and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. It reflects the government's commitment to work with Indigenous partners, creating a better future for everyone in the province.