First Nations

Courtesy: Wildlands League, https://wildlandsleague.org

The Ontario Ring of Fire lies within the traditional territories of several First Nations in Treaty 9. These communities are directly or indirectly impacted by proposed mining, road construction, and environmental developments in the James Bay Lowlands.

All these communities are signatories to Treaty 9, which was established between 1905 and 1929. They actively assert their Aboriginal and Treaty rights regarding land use, hunting, fishing, and meaningful consultation. Many have advocated for comprehensive regional environmental impact assessments and thorough consultation processes before any development projects receive approval. Their collective stance emphasizes the importance of Indigenous-led decision-making and environmental stewardship in their traditional territories.

First Nations Communities within the Ring of Fire

Aroland

Aroland First Nation, an Ojibwe/Oji-Cree/Cree community in NW Ontario, is a key Matawa member and stakeholder in Ring of Fire development, mining, and forestry oversight.

Nibinamik First Nation

Attawapiskat

Attawapiskat First Nation, a Cree Treaty 9 community on James Bay, is key to Indigenous rights and mining debates, including the Ring of Fire.

Attawapiskat First Nation

Eabametoong

Eabametoong First Nation (Fort Hope), an Ojibwe Treaty 9 community on the Albany River, upholds Anishinaabe traditions while shaping resource development and environmental governance in Northern Ontario.

Eabametoong First Nation

Ginoogaming

Ginoogaming First Nation, a Treaty 9 Anishinaabe community near Longlac, drives regional land stewardship and resource negotiations, balancing cultural resilience with Ring of Fire development.

Ginoogaming First Nation

Long Lake

Long Lake #58 First Nation, a Treaty 9 Ojibwe community near Longlac, leverages its Highway 11 position to shape Ring of Fire infrastructure and economic planning.

Long Lake First Nation

Marten Falls

Marten Falls First Nation, a Treaty 9 Anishinaabe community at the Albany-Ogoki Rivers, leads Indigenous-led infrastructure and environmental governance in the Ring of Fire while preserving land stewardship.

Marten Falls First Nation

Moose Cree

Moose Cree First Nation, rooted in Moose Factory’s island settlement on James Bay, is one of Ontario’s oldest Cree-speaking Treaty 9 communities with deep ties to the Moose River.

Moose Cree First Nation

Neskantaga

Neskantaga First Nation, an Oji-Cree Treaty 9 community on Attawapiskat Lake, is renowned for its leadership in Indigenous rights, water security, and mining consent debates in the Ring of Fire.

Neskantaga First Nation

Nibinamik

Nibinamik First Nation (Summer Beaver), a remote Oji-Cree Treaty 9 community northeast of Pickle Lake, champions land protection, Indigenous governance, and youth empowerment in its traditional territory.

Nibinamik First Nation

Webequie

Webequie First Nation, an Oji-Cree Treaty 9 community on Winisk Lake, is the closest settlement to the Ring of Fire and drives Indigenous-led infrastructure and sovereignty decisions in the mining corridor.

Webequie First Nation