Mamakwa: Ontario Government continues to trample on Treaty rights and exclude First Nations rightsholders

QUEEN’S PARK – Deputy Leader and Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa calls out the Ontario Government on their approach to mining in northern Ontario in response to the two announcements made about mining-related projects in Kiiwetinoong, which come in the wake of Bill 5’s passing in June of this year.

“When it comes to mining and respecting Treaties, this government is not acting in good faith,” said MPP Mamakwa, who is also serves as the Official Opposition’s Shadow Minister for Indigenous and Treaty Relations and Northern Economic Development and Growth.

"While First Nations across Ontario are dealing with multiple crises, including on mental health and addictions, infrastructure, and housing, this government is essentially telling them that the only way to address the basic needs of their communities is opening up to mining regardless of the consequences this may have on the ways of life. First Nations in other parts of Ontario are not expected to make that same type of compromise just to have clean drinking water, mental health supports, and adequate infrastructure and housing.”

“I respect each First Nation’s right to participate in the Government’s processes in their own way, and yet that doesn’t take away the fact that the Government continues to neglect the Treaty rights and concerns of other impacted First Nations, who are not invited to the table in the first place.” Mamakwa added, “Ultimately, this approach pits First Nations against each other with divide-and-conquer style tactics that First Nations have witnessed for hundreds of years.”

In a press conference yesterday afternoon, Mamakwa was joined by Chief Brandon Rae of North Spirit Lake First Nation, which is located near the PAK Lithium Project site.

“There seems to be no off ramp for this process,” Chief Rae said. “Allowing an inexperienced mining company to operate under an untested regulatory system is reckless and dangerous. If Ontario truly wants to learn from the past, they should look north to the abandoned Favourable Lake goldmine. That site has been leaking contamination into the environment for decades. The province of Ontario has failed to clean it up, leaving behind a legacy of pollution that still affects the land today.”