With all the focus on roads and dynamics around which FNs are involved, it would be useful to consider ways that other projects have advanced.

The Whati road in NWT opens access to a remote community and areas of exploration/future dev't: http://reviewboard.ca/sites/default/files/news/files/news_release_ea1617-01.pdf

All info for that project is online, but key point is that local communities studied it with GNWT for roughly 10 years, but it eventually moved forward.

The Mary River project way up in Baffinland went forward with far greater challenges around access than the ROF:http://www.baffinland.com/mary-river-mine/our-operation/?lang=en

for both of these projects, the key was financing and local/regional governments that helped create certainty. of course, these two are tied together, but NOT should press Ontario to create better conditions for development... not just with bulldozers, but considering new ways to integrate interests in the north.

In the NWT and NU, they have environmental review boards built with indigenous and territorial/Fed government components. with greater real involvement in projects, it has become easier for communities to manage change. Not that hard to understand... but Wynne couldn't pull it off, we'll see what Mr Ford and Rickford are willing to make changes that actually lead to projects, and not to court cases.