http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/politics/
Cornelius Wabasse is the Chief of Webequie First Nation.
We have heard a lot in the news recently about whether resource development in the Ring of Fire in Ontario will ever become a reality. Newspapers are filled with discussion about why progress has not been faster, of companies abandoning development projects, and of concerns that Ring of Fire development may never be achieved.
These discussions focus on the wrong questions.
If Ring of Fire development is to be successful, the question should not be whether the development is happening fast enough. It should be whether the process is taking place based on a foundation of recognition and respect for Webequie First Nation and the other Indigenous nations who call this land home.
Despite all the words written and spoken about the Ring of Fire, Webequie and our Indigenous neighbours remain invisible to most of the boosters, pundits and speculators. We are the unnamed “First Nations” or “Aboriginal people.” It is time people learned more about who we are and our vision for our lands and future.
We have always lived here. We are not going anywhere. We have our own laws separate from Canadian laws. Our laws were given to us by the Creator. We are the stewards of our lands. We are responsible to the Creator, our ancestors and our children to ensure that our lands are healthy and protected.
We believe that all things in creation are connected. As part of our responsibilities to the Creator, we work to protect and nurture these connections and relationships. Our language is filled with words that capture the interconnectedness of all things and our obligations to all things. There are no equivalent words in English or French.
There is only one road to the Ring of Fire — it is the road that leads to respect and recognition for Webequie and our Indigenous neighbours. It is the road to respect and recognition of our laws, our Treaty and our inherent right to self-determination. All other roads, regardless of how simple and straight they may appear, lead to stagnation and frustration.
This summer, the Supreme Court of Canada issued its landmark decisions in Grassy Narrows and Tsilhqot’in. Government should look to these decisions for guidance on how to proceed on Ring of Fire development. The Supreme Court was clear that Ontario is responsible for meaningfully engaging with us about any decision that has the potential to affect our Treaty rights. The Court also affirmed that the best path for dealing with Indigenous peoples on resource development issues is to seek our consent.
For the rest of this column, click here: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/chief-cornelius-wabasse/ring-of-fire-development_b_6367606.html