Mining development in Ontario's Ring of Fire called for a stop by a local Indigenous nation
Marten Falls First Nation Challenges Ontario and Federal Governments Over Controversial Bills
The Marten Falls First Nation has filed a statement of claim against the Ontario and Canadian governments, seeking to prevent them from funding or participating in mining-related activities in the Ring of Fire. The First Nation is challenging Bills 5 (Ontario) and C-5 (federal), which fast-track major projects by exempting them from many existing environmental and legal protections.
The First Nation argues that these laws violate their Charter rights to life, liberty, security, and legal equality (Sections 7 and 15), causing psychological stress and exacerbating colonial trauma. Marten Falls and eight other First Nations seek to overturn these laws and obtain an injunction to prevent the designation of "special economic zones" or "national interest projects" that bypass protections. They are also suing for $100 million in damages aimed at repairing reconciliation harm.
The statement of claim centers on past projects that diverted river systems on Marten Falls First Nation's traditional territory, causing harm to their way of life. Chief Bruce Achneepineskum says his people have been sickened by the Crown's past theft of their waters and do not want more development, dams, mines, and taken from them.
Achneepineskum emphasizes the need for improved "nation-to-nation" dialogue with government and a stronger voice in how mining development proceeds. The First Nation does not believe that consultation with the governments will be meaningful or fulfill their obligations to them.
Premier Doug Ford has previously highlighted Marten Falls, Webequie First Nation, and Aroland First Nation as examples of "progressive" communities that want development and the prosperity that comes with it. However, Marten Falls has shown "steadfast support" for the Ring of Fire since 2018, according to an Ontario government spokesperson.
Erika Robson, an Ontario government spokesperson, stated that they are looking at all options to continue moving the Ring of Fire project forward. Despite this, Achneepineskum states that his community has not been involved in any substantial talks regarding the concerns.
The First Nations argue that these laws pose a "clear and present danger" to their self-determination rights to ways of life on their territories. They believe the governments are passing these laws to immunize themselves from accountability, even though they knowingly violate the rights of the First Nation and cause harm.
Nine Ontario First Nations, including Marten Falls and Aroland, have recently launched a legal challenge against Bill C-5 and Bill 5. The First Nations are seeking to protect their rights and way of life in the face of rapid development in the Ring of Fire region.
- The Marten Falls First Nation's legal challenge against Ontario and the Canadian governments extends beyond mining-related activities in the Ring of Fire, as they also object to the fast-tracking of major projects through Bills 5 (Ontario) and C-5 (federal).
- The economic aspect of the Ring of Fire project is not the primary concern for the Marten Falls First Nation; instead, they are focused on the environmental and social implications, citing potential violations of their Charter rights and the "clear and present danger" to their self-determination rights.
- The Marten Falls First Nation's legal action extends beyond their specific territory, as they join eight other First Nations in challenging Bills 5 and C-5, aiming to protect their collective rights and way of life regarding rapid development in the Ring of Fire region, which includes policy and legislation, general news, and environmental-science aspects.
