Leaders of northern First Nations rally at Queen's Park against Ontario's mining push

People from five northern First Nations rallied outside Queen's Park on Thursday to call for a halt to provincial mining explorations on traditional lands, saying the Ontario government has not fulfilled its obligation to consult.

Leaders of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Wapekeka, Neskantaga, Grassy Narrowsand Muskrat Dam First Nationsmembers of the First Nations Land Defence Alliance were among those who gatheredoutside the Ministry of Mines building in Toronto.

"Ontario has a duty to accommodate our First Nations,"Wayne Moonias, former chief of Neskantaga First Nation,said during the rally.

"Ontario is the Crownthat hasthat legal obligation to work with our First Nations to make sure that they're involved, they're engaged, and more importantly, they work out a relationship that's respectful, and that's not happening today."

Moonias said the group is "imploring" the current provincial governmentand future governmentsto respect their rights.

"We have a flawed system in the environmental assessment process," he said. "Our communities and our peopleare not considered in those processes.

"Theirvoice, for example, is notsomething that's respected,and that has to change especiallywhen you're dealing with what we're facing."

WATCH| How Neskantaga First Nation is opposing development without its consent:

First Nation fights to protect land from mineral mining

2 years ago

Duration 4:39

Neskantaga First Nation in northern Ontarios Ring of Fire is fighting to be properly consulted before development begins to start mining for minerals used in many green initiatives, such as batteries for electric vehicles. Members of the First Nation are worried about minings impact on their traditional

Northern Ontario, especially its Ring of Fire region in the James Bay lowlands in Treaty 9, is expected to be a key supplier of the raw minerals in Ontario's effort to capitalize on the growing demand for critical minerals crucial to new electric vehicle (EV) technologies.

Thursday's rally is the latest in a series of recent developments from northern First Nations to bring attention to their issues with the proposed development in their traditional territoriesand concerns they're not being properly consulted:

• In March, some of the alliance's leadership walked out of the Ontario Legislature following a heated exchange about mining.
• In April, chiefs from 10 communities launched a lawsuit taking the provincial and federal governments to court over land decisions.

Premier Doug Ford andGreg Rickford, the province's minister of Indigenous affairs, have long maintained the governmentisopen to consultation and building consensus when it comes to northern development.

That position was restated by a spokesperson for MinesMinister George Pirie, ina statement to CBC News on Wednesday evening.

"Our government will always work with Indigenous communities, including the people of Grassy Narrows First Nation, to to achieve healthy communities, good jobsand economic prosperity," Wes Austin wrote in an email.

"The Supreme Court of Canada has confirmed that Ontariocanauthorize developmentwithin the Treaty 3 areain Ontario, including in relation to resource development projects,subject to satisfaction of the province's obligations in respect of Aboriginal Peoples, including the duty to consult," he said. "We will continue working towardconsensus on resource development opportunities."

The First Nations Land Defence Alliancesaid in a media release that the province is granting mining claims without First Nations consent,and is now "trying to fast track dangerous mine approvals, delay safe closure plans, and build environmentally disastrous roads."

Cecilia Begg, head councillor of Kitchenuhmaykoosib InninuwugFirst Nation, saidFirst Nations are trying to raise more awareness to younger members about the issues.

"We have an abundance of resources that are still intact, and we wantto keep them that way as long as we can," she said.

In a statement to media,KiiwetinoongNDPMPP Sol Mamakwa said he stands with the land defence alliance.

"No project should proceed without the free, prior and informed consent of First Nations," the statement said. "The Ontario NDP and I join these Nations in calling on Premier Ford to end the 'free entry' system and instead take a nation-to-nation approach to all mining activities."

"Meaningful consent is not only vital for reconciliation; it is an absolute must in our quest to safeguard the land and water that sustain all life."