This week’s acquisition by Noront Resources of the chromite properties from Cliffs Natural Resources has raised a furor among the First Nation communities closest to the Ring of Fire.
The chiefs of the Matawa First Nations accuse Noront of “driving its agenda, rather than working together.”
In a March 25 news release, the chiefs said the acquisition goes against the Matawa First Nations Unity Declaration signed in Webequie in 2011.
The chiefs want a community-based process that creates environmental safeguards and economic opportunities “driven by their community members, not just industry plans.”
Matawa said it’s examining its legal and political options on both the purchase agreement and a rumoured advancing of the environmental assessment process.
“These moves are seen as a barrier to future opportunities with the First Nations as well as threatening Aboriginal and Treaty Rights,” said the release.
The chiefs said they were informed of the deal at the same time as they were being told that the province has set an April 1 deadline for a decision on the next step in Noront's environmental assessment for a proposed Ring of Fire nickel mine.
“The Matawa Chiefs are well-aware that private investors are most interested in a stable and secure investment, and that none of the proposed projects will receive financing for development without the support of the First Nations. “
