Marten Falls First Nation

Marten Falls is part of the Ojibwe-Cree language group, and Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) remains a vital part of community identity. Language preservation efforts include regular Ojibwe Language Days, where Elders and children gather to share songs, stories, and traditional food.

Cultural practices such as seasonal goose hunts, moose harvesting, and drum gatherings remain central to life. These traditions embody the Anishinaabe worldview, emphasizing respect for land, water, and the interconnection of all life.

Marten Falls is a signatory to Treaty 9, also known as the James Bay Treaty, signed in 1905–1906 and reaffirmed in 1929–30. The treaty was originally presented as a mutual sharing agreement, but it has since become the subject of legal and political debate over land rights, Crown obligations, and the interpretation of oral versus written commitments.

Before Canada’s confederation, the Ogoki and Albany River systems were vital transportation routes for Indigenous hunters, traders, and later, fur trading posts. Marten Falls’ position at the convergence of these rivers made it a hub for trade, diplomacy, and seasonal gathering among First Nations long before European contact.

• Pre-1900s
  Oji-Cree families inhabit the Albany River corridor, using its waterways for transportation, fishing, and ceremonial purposes.
• 1905–1906: Treaty 9 Signed
  Leaders enter into Treaty 9 with the understanding of shared land use and continued autonomy.
  Oral accounts differ from the written version regarding consent and land surrender.
• 1920s–1960s: Fur Trade, Displacement, and Mission Schools
  The community engages in the fur trade while also experiencing dislocation and the impacts of church-run education systems.
• 1970s–1990s: Infrastructure Gaps and Advocacy
  Limited access to roads, healthcare, and clean water prompt the community to push for federal and provincial support.
• 2000s–Present: Strategic Role in the Ring of Fire
  Marten Falls is a leading First Nation in road infrastructure planning, impact assessments, and consultation related to Ring of Fire development.
  The proposed Northern Road Link project connects directly to Marten Falls’ territory.

Governed by a Chief and Council under the Indian Act, and is a member of Matawa First Nations Management. Governance emphasizes environmental oversight, community development, and responsible economic participation.

Marten Falls Joint Ventures and Economic Development

Increasingly entering into Joint Ventures (JVs) and partnerships to secure economic opportunities and community benefits from industrial activity, especially related to the Ring of Fire.

Key JV and Economic Initiatives:

• Missinabi-MFFN Partnership: Environmental remediation and site services. Missinabi Drilling Services
• Marten Falls Contracting: Community-owned company focused on logistics, infrastructure staging, and workforce training.
• Ring of Fire Training Alliance: Skill development programs for youth and workers related to mining and heavy equipment for mining company projects.
• Indigenous Procurement Agreements: MFFN is negotiating procurement roles in the Marten Falls Community Access Road project.
• Resource Revenue Sharing Discussions: Ongoing talks with the Province of Ontario regarding equitable sharing of revenues from mineral development.

MFFN is a co-proponent of the Marten Falls Community Access Road (MFCAR), a major infrastructure project designed to connect the community to Ontario’s provincial road network and support access to the Ring of Fire mineral belt.

MFFN leads the Class Environmental Assessment for this project, with a focus on:

• Cumulative effects assessments
• Indigenous Knowledge integration
• Wildlife migration and habitat mapping
• Watershed protection for the Albany River system

Marten Falls lies at the headwaters of the James Bay watershed, an ecologically sensitive boreal region with deep environmental and spiritual significance.

• Watershed Integrity: Ongoing monitoring of water quality and fish health.
• Wildlife Corridor: Habitat for caribou, moose, waterfowl, and martens.
• Forest Stewardship: Community-led forest planning and harvesting guidelines.

Chief Bruce Achneepineskum – Current Chief, recognized for his leadership in the MFCAR and Ring of Fire planning.
Elders Council of Marten Falls – Respected advisors for land-based learning, cultural protocol, and consultation.

• Wildlife Connection: The name “Marten Falls” honors the marten, an animal revered in Anishinaabe teachings for its cleverness and survival instincts.
• Airport Code: Ogoki Post Airport (YOG) is one of Ontario’s smallest yet most vital bush airstrips.
• Language Days: Marten Falls hosts regular community events to preserve Ojibwe language and storytelling traditions.
• Seasonal Harvests: Many youth still participate in traditional goose and moose hunts.
• Hydrological Role: Marten Falls sits at a key point in the drainage system feeding into James Bay.