May 9, 2012
Responding to Ring of Fire announcements made by Cliffs Natural Resources and Ontario today, Webequie First Nation has issued the following statement:
“Webequie First Nation acknowledges Ontario’s commitment to support the directly impacted First Nations and to engage the Federal Government in the trilateral process. It is important for all levels of Government, including local impacted First Nations Governments, to work together towards a cooperative framework.
While acknowledging this new regional commitment, Webequie First Nation will continue to dialogue and pursue future assurances from both levels of Government and industry partners for the continued examination of the feasibility of an optional utility corridor. This optional utility corridor will ensure that the community infrastructure needs of Webequie First Nation and other regionally impacted First Nations are responsibly incorporated into northern development plans.
The members of Webequie First Nation reaffirm the need of all stakeholders to uphold and respect the environmental integrity of our traditional homelands as a priority consideration of any major infrastructure development in the region. Webequie First Nation’s Chief and Council is also reminding the general public of its Ring of Fire Community Position Paper’s main message, which states: ‘no outside parties or organizations represent Webequie First Nation’s community interests or rights associated with the Ring of Fire developments’.
Webequie First Nation looks forward to continue direct discussions with the Ring of Fire companies and all representatives of the Crown.“
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Notes to the Editor:
About Webequie First Nation
Webequie First Nation is a growing Ojibway community located 540 km north of the City of Thunder Bay. It is the closest community to the discovery areas in the Ring of Fire and has over 700 community members. Today, as in the past, many Webequie First Nation members spend time on their ancestral homelands practising traditional, cultural, customary and harvesting activities.
About the East-West Corridor
In August 2011, Webequie First Nation signed the East-West Corridor Collaborative Agreement with the neighbouring communities of Neskantaga, Eabametoong and Nibinamik First Nation. The Agreement states a collective intent to pursue the ownership, development and operation of a preferred east-west corridor in the Ring of Fire.
The goal of the east-west corridor is to establish a First Nation joint venture that will operate an infrastructure, transportation and service corridor to support northern First Nations and other activities in the Ring of Fire.
Media Contact:
Mike Fox
Webequie Ring of Fire Senior Director
807-472-6147
mfox@foxhighimpact.com
Kind Regards,
Amanda Bay
Director of Communications
Firedog Communications Inc.
Phone:(807) 767-4443 Ext#223
Fax:(807) 767-4479