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First Nations warn true partnership is needed on Ring of Fire development

By: Romina Maurino, THE CANADIAN PRESS

14/03/2010 11:28 AM | Comments: 0

TORONTO - The First Nations communities surrounding a potentially massive chromite deposit in northern Ontario known as the Ring of Fire say it will take more than lip-service from politicians to ensure development goes ahead on the valuable land.

Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle will be visiting several First Nations communities starting Wednesday to discuss concerns around the Ring of Fire - a mining opportunity that's been described by Premier Dalton McGuinty as key to economic recovery.

It's a trip First Nations welcome, but one they say won't move development along unless their right to provide consent for work on their land is legitimately taken into account.

"It's nice when a politician comes to our territory and talks to us. It's a learning experience for them and I hope what they'll hear us and they'll take it to heart," said Grand Chief Stan Beardy of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, which represents 49 First Nations communities.

"But at the end of the day there's political rhetoric and there's a legal requirement to fulfil."

In January, a group of First Nations angry about what they consider a lack of consultation set up a blockade on the landing strips at Koper and McFaulds lakes in the Ring of Fire, about 500 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay.

The action is preventing planes used by mining companies from landing in the area. The group says it will continue the blockade until all parties agree to address community concerns, such as speeding up construction of a new airport and ending the use of frozen lakes as landing strips.

The First Nations aren't against developing the land, said Beardy, because they know that's the only way to create economic opportunities. But they want to make sure they too benefit from the development and that they play a key role at all stages.

"There's an increased interest by third parties. They think that they can just come into our territory and start doing business because the premier mentioned it," he said.

"They like to see how far they can push an issue but we've made it very clear that what is a requirement now is consent to do business in our territory, and we will continue to maintain that position."

Chief Cornelius Wabasse of the Webequie First Nation, a community Gravelle will visit Thursday, said he's looking forward to the chance to bring up environmental and economic issues.

While mining companies have started responding to some of the First Nations' demands around job creation and consultation, Wabasse said he's looking for a firm commitment in the form of a memorandum of agreement that both sides can sign and live by.

And while the blockade remains in place for now, he feels the tone of the discussions is slowly improving.

"I think they're gradually getting the message that we want to be part of the process, because in the beginning there was no consultation," he said.

"We didn't know what was happening in our backyard - we'd see a lot of activity and we began to question that."

Part of the purpose of Gravelle's trip will be to reassure First Nations that the government is taking those concerns into account - a shift he sought to make clear when Ontario updated its Mining Act.

"The mining companies are now much more understanding about how incredibly important it is to build relationships with the aboriginal communities that they want to work with," Gravelle said.

"I do want to have the opportunity to assure the leadership and the communities that our ministry - and myself as minister - are very committed to working with and consulting with them throughout the process that is unfolding."

The importance of proper consultations was highlighted late last year when the government had to pay $5 million to settle a lawsuit from platinum exploration company Platinex Inc. over a project on First Nations land.

The company sued the province and the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, or KI, First Nation because KI was allegedly preventing Platinex from gaining access to its claims at the Big Trout Lake exploration property.

Platinex claimed the province failed in its duty to consult with KI and also failed to warn Platinex that it wouldn't enforce the land claims.

During his upcoming trip, Gravelle will be visiting the communities of Marten Falls, Webequie, Neskantaga and Eabametoong.