Several First Nations from Ring of Fire region demand meeting with Premier Doug Ford – National Newswatch
Sep 26 2023
TORONTO — Leaders of several First Nations from the Ring of Fire region in northern Ontario demanded a meeting with Doug Ford at the legislature on Tuesday, saying they needed to discuss concerns over possible mining in their territories – but the premier refused their request.
Indigenous Affairs Minister Greg Rickford offered to go in Ford’s stead, but that offer was rebuffed by the First Nations.
“We refuse to meet with Rickford, we want to meet with Doug Ford directly,” Neskantaga First Nation Chief Chris Moonias said on the front lawn of Queen’s Park.
“We want him to sign this declaration of respect for the right for the First Nations to say no to mining in their homelands.”
Ford and his government want to mine the Ring of Fire for metals to be used as part of a vision for an end-to-end manufacturing chain for electric vehicles and the batteries that power them.
