In July 2008, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty announced a world-leading commitment to conservation-focused land-use planning for Ontario's Great Boreal Forest, including protection for more than 50% of the area. To make this bold commitment a reality, we need a strong Boreal legislation that:

1. Creates a well-resourced joint Planning Board to allow First Nations and the Province to work together and share implementation of planning.

2. Details how Ontario will work in partnership with First Nations to determine the location, use and management of the 50% or more of the region that the Premier has committed to protect as conservation lands.

3. Sets out how community plans will be developed and integrated with regional objectives.

4. Describes how communities will realize long-term benefits from development and their role in management.

5. Provides a clear role for a Science Advisory Committee, including objectives for how it will inform land-use planning.

6. Sets clear rules for the development of roads, corridors and industrial activity outside of protected areas.

Stay in touch. Subscribe to our e-newsletter:

Email Address:

Responses to the Premier's Boreal Protection Announcement in July 2008

NAN encouraged by requirement for consultation and accommodation for new mining development

Chief Stan Beardy is encouraged that new mining development in the Far North Boreal region will require early consultation and accommodation with local Aboriginal communities under the Government of Ontario's Far North Planning initiative announced today.

"This is good news for the people of Nishnawbe Aski, as it will require that First Nations be fully involved in resource development in our traditional territory," said NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy. "Not only will this provide clarity for First Nations, Ontario and industry as we pursue new economic opportunities, but it will also support any First Nations who may not be ready for resource development in their territory."

NAN has worked diligently through Oski-Machiitawin (formerly "Northern Table") to accelerate bilateral discussions with the Government of Ontario regarding lands and resources. NAN recognizes that local land use planning is a requirement in mapping resource development in each of the First Nation territories. NAN needs to identify those areas to be protected and areas for potential resource development.

"As First Nations people we are not against resource development, but we want to be consulted and we want to have meaningful input into the decision-making process," said Beardy. "It is critical that any development of natural resources in the Far North must respect Aboriginal and treaty rights while supporting an environmentally sustainable economic future for our people."

The Northern Table, a bilateral partnership between NAN Chiefs and the Government of Ontario, was established November 2007 with the intent to jointly develop a results-based process to address and resolve current challenges in the areas of consultation and accommodation, resource development, mining, parks, and licensing permits within NAN territory.

"Our lands hold great potential for economic opportunities and the chance to create better lives for our people," said Beardy. "By being active participants in resource development we can ensure that our homelands, our communities, and our Aboriginal and treaty rights are respected. Ontario's Far North is the homeland of thousands of Nishnawbe Aski Nation people and many First Nations, encompassing 43 percent of the province's land base and includes the largest intact forest in Canada and the third largest wetland in the world. In addition to being the homelands of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation people, this vast boreal landscape plays an essential role in mitigating the effects of global climate change because of its capacity to absorb and store greenhouse gases in trees, soil and peat.

Nishnawbe Aski Nation is a political territorial organization representing 49 First Nation communities in James Bay Treaty 9 and Ontario portions of Treaty 5 - an area covering two thirds of the province of Ontario.