Marten Falls signs Ring of Fire deal with Ontario

Marten Falls First Nation and the Ontario government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Sept. 7.
The agreement signifies a working relationship where the two parties will work to ensure minimal environmental impacts as a result of mining development in the Ring of Fire.
Signed in Marten Falls by Chief Eli Moonias, Northern Development and Mines Minister Rick Bartolucci and Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle, the MOU addresses the employment, economic development and environmental impacts of any Ring of Fire projects in the First Nation’s traditional territory.
In a media release, Moonias said the Ring of Fire is an opportunity for the community to work towards the implementation of Treaty 9, which their ancestors signed with mutual benefits for all parties, including an annual payment of $4 for all band members.
“Needless to say, the environment has no price tag,” he said. “Therefore, development will proceed only if the environmental assessment process is thorough and with the full participation of Marten Falls First Nation.”
In June, Moonias told media that while he was not opposed to development, he felt it was moving too fast to adequately prepare for the major changes that projects such as Cliffs Resources’ $3.3 billion open-pit mine would have on their territory.
At the time, he said he wanted to see the result of the judicial environmental assessment, which is still before the courts, before making any decisions on whether to support or oppose the proposed Ring of Fire projects.
Cliffs has stated it hopes to start production in 2015.