The Chippwas of the Thames First Nation is raising concerns

The Chippwas of the Thames First Nation is raising concerns about a proposal to repair a dam on the Thames River for recreational and economic development purposes. The nation’s desire is to not see the broken Springbank Dam repaired. “Our position is we would like to see the dam decommissioned,” said Chief Leslee White-Eye. She sent a letter to London Mayor Matt Brown, who is advocating for repair, expressing the nation’s wish to have a role in the decision making. “We come from the stance of nation-to-nation relationships. We have Aboriginal rights being impacted; treaty rights being impacted.” The letter references the London Township Treaty of 1796, findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Environmental Assessment Act. “At this point I’m not going to enter into a discussion around treaty rights and Aboriginal affairs. That’s not my purview. We’ll leave that to our legal staff,” Deputy Mayor Paul Hubert told CTV News London. He says an upcoming environmental assessment would allow First Nations to participate.