Canada will announce today that it has reached a “milestone” agreement with 15 First Nations over the terms of reference for an environmental assessment process in the proposed Ring of Fire mining development.

The agreement, finalized by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, establishes the terms under which the regional assessment will be conducted, a required environmental study that applies to all new resource developments and expansions. That process analyses the potential economic and environmental effects of proposed industrial activity or expansion of existing resource-extractive projects. According to Canada, the regional assessment process has been underway since February 2020. 

The Ring of Fire is a mineral deposit spanning 5,000 square kilometres in the James Bay lowlands, located 540 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay. It’s believed to be among the largest such bodies in Canada. Local First Nations refer to the area as Kawana’bi’kag.

Numerous First Nation communities surround the massive mining development in northern Ontario, known as the Ring of Fire.

The Ring of Fire mines are being proposed on land covered by Treaty 9. First Nations in both the Matawa and Mushkegowuk council territories have been demanding their right to consultation, accommodation, and consent, if any mines are to be developed in the area.

“This co-led assessment will contribute to the efficiency and effectiveness of future impact assessments of proposed major projects in the area that are subject to the Impact Assessment Act,” the release reads. 

“In this case, it will also examine the potential environmental, health, social and economic effects and benefits of any future development. This will help inform planning and decision-making for any proposed major projects.”

The agreement is far from a green light on mineral development. The new agreement will establish a working group that will conduct the regional assessment. That group will be tasked with preparing a report for chiefs and the federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change that will outline anticipated economic, social, and environmental impacts.

Kawana ‘bi ‘kag (AKA The Ring of Fire), an area of about 5,000 square kms in the Hudson Bay Lowlands of Northern Ontario. Many endemic and threatened species rely on the forests, peatlands, rivers, and coastal areas found in the region. Map via WCS Canada on X.

Members include the IAAC, and the following First Nations: Aroland, Attawapiskat, Constance Lake, Eabametoong First Nation, Fort Albany, Ginoogaming, Kashechewan, Long Lake #58, Marten Falls, Missinabie Cree, Moose Cree, Neskantaga, Nibinamik, Webequie, and Weenusk First Nations. Matawa and Mushkegowuk councils will provide administrative support.

IAAC correspondence notes Marten Falls and Nibinamik have approved the terms of reference in principle but their final approval is subject to a community review.

Chris Moonias is the chief of Neskantaga First Nation. Neskantaga is a member of the Land Defence Alliance, a group of First Nations that are working together to protect their sovereignty. 

Chris Moonias, chief of Neskantaga First Nation and member of the Land Defence Alliance, a group of northern Ontario First Nations demanding that the Ontario government respect treaty rights by including First Nation leaders at the table and insisting on consent before any development on their territories.

Moonias says his community hasn’t taken a formal position opposing Ring of Fire development but he is proud of a number of priorities First Nations were able to contribute during negotiations. He was insistent, for example, on including the language, “free, prior, and informed consent” in this agreement.

“We’re making sure as First Nations our treaty rights are protected, and that we have a say on what’s going to happen in our territories, and that the environment is also protected,” Moonias says.

Moonias points to healthy sturgeon populations in the rivers and lakes around Neskantaga as environmental values that the community wishes to see evaluated. He also wants the report’s authors to consider the potential impacts that road construction may have on treaty rights and the potential for increased privatized land.

Jon Thompson is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter based in Thunder Bay. Contact him with tips and story ideas at editor@ricochet.media. Sign up here for his newsletter and never miss a story from northern Ontario.