Province of Ontario and Matawa-member First Nations have reached an agreement

The Province of Ontario and Matawa-member First Nations have reached an agreement that will ensure First Nation communities benefit from the proposed Ring of Fire development, reads a press release. The regional framework agreement is a first step in a historic, community-based negotiation process, which began in July 2013. The nine Matawa-member First Nations and Ontario signed the framework agreement March 26 to move forward with a negotiation process on a community-based regional approach to development in the Ring of Fire. The agreement ensures First Nations and Ontario can work together to advance Ring of Fire opportunities, including regional long-term environmental monitoring and enhanced participation in environmental assessment processes, resource revenue sharing, economic supports, regional and community infrastructure.  Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines, signed on behalf of Ontario. The chiefs signed on behalf of their communities. “I’ve seen many framework type processes come and go, and MOUs, and some have had beneficial results but many have not gone anywhere,” said Chief Elijah K. Moonias of Marten Falls First Nation. “I am optimistic that this regional framework allows us to be more involved in development and the decision-making that is going to happen… We are working to set the course to move our First Nations away from dependence so that we can capture the maximum benefits and move towards community wellness and increase ambition for our people.”