It's colonialism - alive and well today”: First Nations call It's colonialism - alive and well today”: First Nations call for mining restrictions
Biigtigong Nishnaabeg and Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg First Nations issued a joint statement on April 2 condemning the provincial government for allowing mining claims to be registered in “core cultural areas” – areas located on lands which Biigtigong and Netmizaaggamig have asserted Aboriginal title.
As stated in the release from both communities, asserting Aboriginal title means that “BN and NN have given notice to the Crown that they did not cede their lands, or agree to share their lands, through the signing of a treaty.”
Speaking to Dougall Media, Biigtigong Nishnaabeg’s Chief Duncan Michano said the province’s lack of consultation has been frustrating.
“The province doesn’t consult First Nations – period – when it comes to the staking of these mining claims in the first place,” Michano said.
“With the system they have right now, someone from China, Indonesia, or Russia, can go in my backyard right here and go on a map and stake a claim. Now, they’ve got rights – the province gives them mining and prospecting rights in my backyard and takes that right away from me. Is that right?”
The provincial government appeared to recognize both communities’ concerns when they placed a notice of caution in the Mining Lands Administration System in December 2020, in effect letting potential developers know that there are Aboriginal title claims in the region.
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However, the province has continued to allow prospectors to make stakes in these “no-go areas” regardless.
Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg’s Chief Louis Kwissiwa said multiple attempts have been made to inform the provincial government about where the boundaries lie, but all of that has gone ignored.
“They have to work with the First Nations, they have to come and see our situation. We’ve let them know about the Aboriginal titles – they’re fully aware of that. And when they keep allowing mining claims to happen on our no-go areas – our protected areas – that could have impacts on our Aboriginal title claim.
"So they need to come to the table and sit down with us. They have to have a meaningful discussion, meaningful dialogue to see where we're coming from,” Kwissiwa said.
Michano said the provincial government doesn’t make communication easy and that a lack of transparency is harming the relationship between First Nations and Ontario.
“This government is not very First Nations friendly and they’re driving people away,” Michano said.
Neither Biigtigong nor Netmizaaggamig seek to put a stop to mining across the whole region – both communities are imploring the provincial government to be honest with mining companies and, as Kwissiwa said, work in a “sustainable and meaningful way” in partnership with each First Nation.
“Provided the environment is looked after, we’ll work with the mining industry – we’ll work with the forest industry to look at what we can do outside those areas,” Michano said.
Kwissiwa and Jesse Gaudette, lands and resources manager for Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg, identified the no-go areas as ceremonial sites and lands that are used for harvesting food and medicine, among other things.
Kwissiwa added that although his community’s relationship with the provincial government has been “turbulent” there are still examples of successful partnership and consultation such as the mining development at Silver Lake, and ongoing developments with Barrick Gold and Westdome.
He reiterated, however, that the recent activity and lack of consultation is a major step backwards.
“Allowing this to happen, it’s colonialism - alive and well today. It’s a colonial act and it’s oppressing our voice. The pedagogy of the oppressed, it still continues,” Kwissiwa said.
Michano said for the most part Biigtigong has had a “good” experience working with mining companies in the region but echoed Kwissiwa’s concerns.
“First Nations people have moved over and moved over and accommodated all the time . . . we have never signed any treaties and our assertion is that this is unceded territory and that we own all those resources that are out there,” Michano said.
“Until such a time that we may sign a treaty, those resources are ours – they don’t belong to the province, they don’t belong to Canada. How did the province and Canada get them? That’s my question. How did they make their assertion?”
Kwissiwa added that this isn’t just about resources but also the future of their respective communities.
“Here we are today. We’d like to assert our jurisdiction, assert the protection of our lands, and assert the protection of our children and future children,” Kwissiwa said.