Hi Puppin,
The following is the release that you are referring to. The First Nations involved represent communities that are directly affected by the road access into the Ring of Fire. They have taken a rational view of the situation and have accounted for some of the significant environmental issues that must be addressed in the area. It should be noted that the east-west corridor is the one that more favourably services the remote First Nations in the area (i.e. it is more or less the route of the existing winter access that supplies the communties). The proposed southern corridor would leave many without all season road access and furthermore, has the potential to significantly alter the habitat of the main woodland caribou use areas (a species at risk) in Northern Ontario.
Basically, it appears that the First Nations are supporting the road access that will provide the most benefit to northern communities with the least environmental impact. Some of the companies may not subscribe to this if they feel the cost of the southern route is more friendly. However, we have not seen any real analysis of this as of yet... I guess we will now since this release is bound to encourage responses from the various parties.
None of this should be viewed negatively by anyone in my opinion. Quite the contrary, it is just a step in the building of a concensus for development in the area and in fact, it will probably help move things along a bit. "The game is afoot", as Sherlock Holmes would say.
RHammer
Wednesday August 31, 2011
Northern Ontario First Nations Sign East-West Corridor Collaborative Agreementin Ring of Fire.
Thunder Bay, Ontario: - Four First Nations in Northern Ontario today signed a landmark collaboration agreement to pursue the ownership, development and operation of a preferred East-West corridor in the Ring of Fire.
The East-West Corridor Collaborative Agreement was signed between the communities of Webequie, Neskantaga, Eabametoong and Nibinamik. Since March 2010, the First Nations have been working towards a community-driven strategy to develop a preferred corridor through their traditional territories. The goal is to establish a First Nation joint venture that will operate an infrastructure, transportation and service corridor for northern First Nations and other activities in the Ring of Fire.
The First Nation Chiefs were supported by their Councils during today’s signing ceremony in Thunder Bay.“I see this collaborative agreement as ‘history in the making’ among the four First Nations who are now taking control of our traditional homelands and are becoming a force to be reckoned with,” says Chief Cornelius Wabasse of Webequie First Nation.
One of the major objectives outlined in the East-West Corridor Collaborative Agreement is to ensure that community members from the four First Nations realize the maximum possible benefits from the corridor development.
Chief Peter Moonias of Neskantaga First Nation states; “This is an important step that will ensure our communities are actively involved in the planning, development and operation of this preferred corridor with the other three communities, and that all of the impacted communities benefit socially and economically from this development.”
The mitigation of environmental impacts was also identified by the First Nations as a significant factor for choosing the preferred East-West corridor option. Signing the agreement for Eabametoong First Nation, Chief Harry Papah notes; “This document provides the framework to work collaboratively on the east-west corridor and share a common vision for sustainable communities and self-reliance. This preferred route allows our First Nations to pursue vital development opportunities while minimizing the corridor’s impact on species at risk and overall environmental footprint.”
A Working Group has been established for the East-West Corridor Collaborative Agreement with representatives from each First Nation. The Working Group’s first task is to consult with community members throughout the month of September.
Concludes Chief Roger Oskineegish of Nibinamik First Nation;“As a group of First Nations, we can stand strong and direct the companies that enter into our traditional lands to work in partnership with us with the expectation that each community’s protocols will be respected and our individual and collective needs will be met.”
