Two Ring of Fire First Nations oppose Ontario law

Two northern Ontario First Nations who have infrastructure agreements with the province related to the Ring of Fire have come out against the government’s new law that seeks to ease mine development across the province.

The Aroland and Marten Falls First Nations said this month they’re not aligned with the law, widely known as Bill 5, which passed on June 5.

The law, formally titled the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act 2025, aims to accelerate mining projects and create First Nations-led special economic zones such as for the Ring of Fire region north of Lake Superior. But many Indigenous leaders and environmental groups are challenging the bill, saying it was passed without sufficient consultation and that it threatens treaty and Indigenous rights.

While no court actions have been filed so far, the Chiefs of Ontario and regional chiefs have pledged resistance “in the courts, on the ground.” Lawyer Kate Kempton, representing 10 Treaty 9 First Nations, says she intends to file court challenges, according to the Toronto-based Law Times this month.

The Ring of Fire, about 540 km north of Thunder Bay, may hold vast reserves of critical minerals which several companies have been exploring, but only Wyloo Metals’ Eagle’s Nest project is considered advanced and the remote swampy region lacks roads and power links. Wyloo is owned by Australian tycoon and former Fortescue Metals Group (ASX: FMG) CEO Andrew Forrest.

Indigenous consent

Aroland First Nation Chief Sonny Gagnon said his community backs the opposition to Bill 5 from other First Nations in the province, according to The Canadian Press. 

While Aroland supports improving access to the highway system, further connection to infrastructure must come with proper assessment, protection and the consent of Aroland, he said.

The First Nation and Ontario in January signed a $93-million deal to plan a transmission line and road upgrades near Aroland, regarded as a “gateway” to the Ring of Fire and located about 350 km northeast of Thunder Bay. The deal includes support for upgrades to the Anaconda and Painter Lake Roads, key connections to the proposed Marten Falls Community Access Road which would run almost halfway to the Ring of Fire.

Fighting for rights

Meanwhile, Marten Falls First Nation Chief Bruce Achneepineskum also indicated he’s at odds with the bill, saying he wanted the province to consult with First Nations before it became law. Marten Falls, like other First Nations, are fighting to have their rights and interests in their traditional territories recognized, he added in the CP report.

Marten Falls, along with the Webequie First Nation, signed in March 2024 a community development agreement with the province supporting road infrastructure to the Ring of Fire. Webequie is about 70 km west of the Ring of Fire. A road from the Webequie community would run east towards the Ring of Fire region and connect with the also-proposed Northern Road Link meant to join with the Marten Falls Community Access Road. The 451 km of roads and associated infrastructure is estimated to cost at least $2 billion in total.

The Northern Miner has requested further comment from the Aroland, Marten Falls and Webequie First Nations.