On April 16, First Nations whose lands and resources will be

On April 16, First Nations whose lands and resources will be most affected by the proposed Ring of Fire development met to sign a protocol agreement. Marten Falls First Nation and Webequie First Nation entered into a “Negotiation Protocol Respecting Early Exploration in the Ring of Fire”. The protocol strengthens the commitment of both First Nations to work together to advance their common interests in a coordinated manner while respecting their mutual and unique interests over their respective lands and approvals to use the lands, reads a release.

More than 100 mineral exploration companies have staked claims and proposed related developments in the Ring of Fire. Both Marten Falls and Webequie agreed to set out their mutual expectations from early exploration activities in the Ring of Fire.

“This will not only be good for us, but will also be good for the exploration companies to know the protocols for exploration on our mutual traditional lands,” said Chief Cornelius Wabasse of Webequie First Nation.