MOOSE CREE FIRST NATION — First Nations leaders across northern Ontario had “a very robust discussion” about two pieces of economic development legislation and what those laws mean for their communities, says a Nishnawbe Aski Nation deputy grand chief.
Bobby Narcisse said discussion around the pieces of legislation that were formerly known as the federal government’s Bill C-5 and the province’s Bill 5 before they were signed into law this summer made up a significant portion of this year’s Keewaywin Conference. The annual conference brings together chiefs and representatives from all NAN First Nations.
“The chiefs are looking at ways to be more unified in those discussions as well in moving ahead,” Narcisse said. “There's a general agreement that Bill C-5 and Bill 5 (have) attacked our treaty rights, and it's very important that these nation-to-nation discussions happen.”
“Both levels of government require — to show good faith — to ensure that First Nations are at the table, whenever these discussions are being had, or even remotely planned as well.”
First Nations have consistently raised concerns about how they will be consulted now that the pieces of legislation are law, including a number of chiefs telling Newswatch that they weren’t informed of a province-led Bill 5 Aug. 8 session in Thunder Bay — something Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli has disputed.
NAN Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler also told the Keewaywin Conference the territorial organization's leadership wasn't told.
“Our chiefs have stated time and time again that they're not against development, they're not against economic development within the region,” Narcisse said.
“They're against plans being unilaterally made by various levels of government into their treaty territories,” he continued.
“In order for any development to happen, chiefs and our communities need to be in a nation-to-nation discussion when it has anything to do with any resource development that's happening across their communities as well.”
Narcisse said NAN fully understands that different First Nations are in different stages of various projects, including land-use plans and environmental assessments around a variety of initiatives, but he said he feels there’s an overall sense of ensuring treaty rights aren’t being ignored.
“I believe there's a lot of unity,” he said.
That push for unity also extends to other major topics, Narcisse said, including health transformation, the Ontario final agreement on child welfare, Jordan’s Principle and other issues.
He said another meeting is being planned for the fall to address issues and resolutions that remain outstanding from the Keewaywin Conference, and that a lot of work will continue to happen there.
“Together, in a collective voice, we are stronger,” Narcisse said.