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Webequie Chief Speaks about Ring of Fire

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Development of northern Ontario’s Ring of Fire in the near future is looking more and more implausible, as Cliffs Natural Resources, the region’s leading investor, announced intentions to exit the area in late 2014. Cornelius Wabasse, Chief of the Webequie First Nation, says this is because conversations about Ring of Fire development are fixated on accelerating the pace of mining, rather than building a foundation of recognition and respect for First Nations.

Wabasse believes there is a “clear direction for success” in the Ring of Fire, but says three main things must be done for this to happen. First, agreements must be entered with First Nations that recognize and respect their role “in every aspect and dimension of development.” Second, development must coincide with implementation of treaty rights, which continue to be ignored and violated by the Canadian government. Third, social and economic investments must be made in communities to build their capacity to “direct, respond to, and benefit from the potential for development.”

Chief Cornelius Wabasse of the Webequie [photo credit: Huffington Post]

Chief Cornelius Wabasse of the Webequie First Nation [photo credit: Huffington Post]

Sources: Globe and Mail, Huffington Post

This post is excerpted from First Peoples Worldwide’s Corporate Monitor, a monthly report on key trends affecting companies interacting with Indigenous Peoples. To sign up for monthly e-mail updates, click here.


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