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Cision Canada
5 days ago
- Politics
- Cision Canada
Marten Falls and Webequie First Nations Hold Ceremony to Mark Next Step in Indigenous-Led Development at Ring of Fire
THUNDER BAY, ON, July 18, 2025 /CNW/ - Marten Falls First Nation and Webequie First Nation have held a joint ceremony to take down a ceremonial teepee they erected last year. The act symbolizes a new phase in their partnership and a shared commitment to an Indigenous-led development process for the Ring of Fire, a significant mineral-rich region in Northern Ontario. Led by their respective Chiefs, Councils, Elders, and community members, the ceremony highlighted the joint and mutually respectful process required between the First Nations and development proponents. Leaders and staff from mining company Wyloo also attended to observe and note the need to continue strong consultation and engagement with both First Nations. The ceremony underscored the fundamental principles guiding the First Nations' approach: Acknowledgment of the traditional and ancestral lands they have stewarded since time immemorial. The necessity for deep and meaningful consultation that includes co-planning and co-development of the area, in accordance with the laws and governance of both First Nations. The fulfillment of the Crown's duty to consult, which brings both provincial and federal governments to their territory as partners. Bruce Achneepineskum, Chief of Marten Falls First Nation spoke of his Nation's deep connection to the land: "Our people have occupied the Muketei River area near Esker camp since time immemorial, which we call Wawangwajing. Canada has come to know the area as the Ring of Fire. This area is important to both of our communities. Marten Falls has worked on land use planning in this area for the past 15 years mapping sacred sites, birth sites, burial sites, culturally significant sites related to moose harvesting and fishing and other ecological sensitive areas that are known to our people. We want to see development that recognizes our special connection to this land and involves us in all aspects of the work. We want to ensure that future opportunities benefit our people, and that any work done in our ancestral lands happens with our complete involvement, in compliance with our ways and our laws." Chief Cornelius Wabasse of Webequie First Nation echoed this vision for self-determination: "We share a common vision with Marten Falls to change how development occurs in our traditional territory. Today, we are leading the planning and assessment of the road projects in the region to ensure that environmental risks to our traditional ways of life are thoroughly assessed and mitigated, and that opportunities for First Nations people are maximized. Our people have been stewards of these lands since time immemorial, and that will not change through this process or the development of the Ring of Fire. We continue to lead the Environmental Assessments because we know that no one is in a better position than us to make informed decisions that protect our lands, our waters, and our inherent and traditional rights. We do this by leading with the voice of our community, our Elders, and through the use of our traditional knowledge and governance." The collaboration between Marten Falls First Nation and Webequie First Nation represents a landmark approach to resource development in Canada, prioritizing Indigenous sovereignty, environmental stewardship, and shared prosperity. Just as they lead development of projects in their territory through which they have been leading consultation and conversations with neighbouring First Nations, the 2 First Nations also respect the inherent and treaty rights of First Nations across their neighbouring territories and continue to look for ways to collaborate in inclusive processes led by First Nations. About Marten Falls First Nation: Marten Falls First Nation (MFN) is an Anishinaabe First Nation located in northern Ontario, along the confluence of Albany River and Ogoki River. MFFN is committed to protecting its lands and waters while pursuing opportunities for economic self-sufficiency and community well-being for its members.
CTV News
03-07-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Extreme wildfire season strains Ontario's firefighting resources
This is a glimpse of what a Rank 6 fire looks like as a wall of fire was heading directly for Webequie First Nation in June 2025. This is a glimpse of what a Rank 6 fire looks like as a wall of fire was heading directly for Webequie First Nation in June 2025. Northwestern Ontario is facing a severe wildfire season with strained resources. Amid criticisms over delayed waterbomber orders and provincial underfunding of firefighting efforts, new blazes are threatening communities. Firefighers soak ground of forest Firefighers soak ground of forest to help stop the spread of approaching wildfire. (File photo/Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry) New fires ignite amid high hazard conditions The Ministry of Natural Resources said there were 17 new fires in the region by the evening of July 2, bringing the total number of active blazes to 46. Of those, 20 are 'not under control,' six are under control and 16 are being monitored. The Red Lake district is particularly hard hit, with multiple fires erupting near Indigenous communities. Red Lake 69, a 0.2-hectare fire near Murfitt Lake, and Red Lake 68, a 0.3-hectare blaze west of Cat Lake First Nation, are among those still out of control. The largest new fire, Red Lake 062, spans 10 hectares and requires waterbomber support. Fire hazard conditions range from high to extreme across the Kenora, Dryden and Red Lake areas, with moderate to low risks in the far north. The MNR warns that dry conditions and lightning strikes are contributing to the rapid spread of new fires. Major fires strain resources Two fires of note continue to challenge firefighting efforts. Red Lake 12, near Deer Lake and Sandy Lake First Nations, has grown to 195,670 hectares and remains uncontained. Twenty-three crews and nine helicopters are working to suppress hotspots, with infrared scans revealing persistent heat along the western perimeter. Red Lake 12 - May 30 CL415s and lead birddog aircraft performed aerial fire suppression to support crews on the ground battling a 9,617 hectare fire in northwestern Ontarion near Deer Lake First Nation on May 30, 2025. This image shows an aerial view of the smoke coming off of the Red Lake 12 wildfire on May 30, 2025. (Ministry of Natural Resources/Ontario Forest Fires/X | Photo Credit: Eli Leatherdale) Sioux Lookout 18, near Cat Lake First Nation, spans 23,648 hectares but shows minimal activity. Command has been handed back to local fire management teams. The MNR reports some progress elsewhere, noting that Kenora 20 and Kenora 32 (a cross-border fire from Manitoba) have been brought under control, crediting fire crew efforts and recent rainfall. Criticism over preparedness and resources As the crisis intensifies, opposition MPPs are accusing the provincial government of failing to adequately support wildfire personnel. Guy Bourgouin, the NDP MPP for Mushkegowuk-James Bay, and Lise Vaugeois, the NDP MPP for Thunder Bay-Superior North, issued a joint news release condemning delayed investments in equipment and staffing late last month. Guy Bourgouin An undated profile photo of Mushkegowuk–James Bay NDP MPP Guy Bourgouin. (Facebook) 'With record-breaking fires already burning through the North, this government's lack of preparedness is putting people, communities and entire ecosystems at risk,' said Bourgouin. He went on to highlight the grounding of three waterbombers due to crew shortages, asking, 'Can the premier tell us where the receipts are for any new waterbombers?' Lise Vaugeois An undated profile photo of Thunder Bay-Superior North NDP MPP Lise Vaugeois. (Facebook) 'These workers put their lives on the line, but this government is treating them like they're disposable,' Vaugeois added. The NDP is demanding an immediate budget increase of $300 million for wildfire programs, improved pay for firefighters, and faster procurement of aircraft. Global backlog delays new waterbombers The province's reliance on aging aircraft has become a focal point. Ontario's fleet of 11 CL-415 waterbombers is stretched thin, and six newly ordered planes face years-long delays due to production backlogs. CL-415 waterbomber A CL-415 waterbomber in flight. (Ministry of Natural Resources/Ontario Forest Fires/X) De Havilland Canada, which acquired the manufacturing rights in 2016, is prioritizing 22 EU orders made as early as 2022 before fulfilling domestic requests. Premier Doug Ford acknowledged the delays speaking to reports on Wednesday, stating, 'They produce them in Alberta … but it's taking four years to produce more water bombers.' Seasonal trends exceed averages The province's 2025 fire season has already surpassed last year's numbers, with 265 fires recorded as of July 2 compared to 126 total in 2024. This year's figure also exceeds the 10-year average of 258 fires for this period. Ongoing risks for northern communities Bourgouin shared video of a Rank 6 fire (the highest intensity classification) threatening Webequie First Nation last month on social media, writing, 'This wall of fire was heading directly for Webequie. The government must restore stable funding to our wildland firefighters.' Rank 6 fire This is a glimpse of what a Rank 6 fire looks like as a wall of fire was heading directly for Webequie First Nation in June 2025. (Guy Bourgouin/Facebook) With no significant rainfall forecast, the MNR urges residents to monitor fire hazards via its interactive map and adhere to airspace restrictions near active fires.
CBC
06-06-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Air quality warnings, burn bans in place as wildfires expand across northwestern Ontario
As wildfire smoke from northwestern Ontario and Manitoba pervades southern parts of the province, the region's wildfires continue to grow. The area's biggest wildfire is Red Lake 12, which is more than 66,000 hectares large and not yet under control. The fire prompted the evacuation of Deer Lake First Nation last week, sending hundreds of community members to Toronto. "Crews continue to work hoselines on the flanks of the fire closest to the community and maintain sprinkler setups on buildings and infrastructure," Ontario Forest Fires said in its latest update online Thursday night. Meanwhile, provincial crews are tracking five other fires of note in the region: Kenora 20, which is more than 36,000 hectares large and not under control; the fire triggered evacuation orders for Ingolf and Wabaseemoong Independent Nations in mid-May, sending evacuees from the First Nation to Niagara Falls. Nipigon 5, which is more than 8,800 hectares large and not under control; the fire prompted the evacuation of Webequie First Nation members this week to Barrie. Kenora 32, which is located within Woodland Caribou Provincial Park, is not under control, at more than 7,700 hectares large. Kenora 14, which is under control at over 1,600 hectares large. Kenora 34, which is being held at 18 hectares large. Much of northwestern Ontario remains under a restricted fire zone, first issued in mid-May and then expanded at the end of the month. "No open air burning, including campfires, is permitted within the boundaries of a restricted fire zone. Portable gas or propane stoves may be used for cooking and warmth but must be handled with extreme caution. All burning permits are suspended," Ontario Forest Fires says on its website. Other restrictions in place include travel bans, use of waterways, and NOTAMS (notice to airmen) about limited drone usage permitted in the areas of Red Lake 12 and Nipigon 5. The wildland fire hazard remains high to extreme across the region. As of Thursday night, there were 18 active fires being tracked, at various stages of control. Dozens of air quality warnings, statements in effect As of Friday afternoon, several air quality warnings were in effect in the region, for areas including: Big Trout Lake — Kasabonika. Ear Falls — Perrault Falls — Western Lac Seul. Fort Hope — Lansdowne House — Ogoki. Kenora — Grassy Narrows — Whitedog. Pickle Lake — Cat Lake. Pikangikum — Poplar Hill — MacDowell. Red Lake — Woodland Caribou Park. Sachigo Lake — Bearskin Lake. Sandy Lake — Weagamow Lake — Deer Lake. Sioux Narrows — Nestor Falls — Morson. Summer Beaver — Wunnummin Lake — Kingfisher Lake. Webequie. "Wildfire smoke is expected to shift further north today as winds become southwesterly. Wildfire smoke may remain in place for the next several days for many areas," Environment and Climate Change Canada said in Friday's warnings online. "People more likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke, including people aged 65 and older, pregnant people, infants and young children, people with an existing illness or chronic health condition, and people who work outdoors, should avoid strenuous activities outdoors and seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms." Common symptoms include eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough. People are urged to keep their windows and doors closed as much as possible, and to wear respirator-type masks if they are spending time outdoors. "Protect your indoor air from wildfire smoke. Actions can include using a clean, good quality air filter in your ventilation system and/or a certified portable air cleaner that can filter fine particles," Environment and Climate Change Canada says. Dozens of communities across the province remain under less severe air quality statements. In northwestern Ontario, these include: Armstrong — Auden — Wabakimi Park. Atikokan — Shebandowan — Quetico Park. Beardmore — Jellicoe — Macdiarmid. City of Thunder Bay. Cloud Bay — Dorion. Dryden — Vermilion Bay. Fort Frances — Emo — Rainy River. Geraldton — Longlac — Caramat. Gull Bay — Black Sturgeon Lake. Ignace — English River. Kakabeka Falls — Whitefish Lake — Arrow Lake. Manitouwadge — Hornepayne. Marathon — Schreiber. Nakina — Aroland — Pagwa. Nipigon — Rossport. Savant Lake — Sturgeon Lake. Seine River Village — Mine Centre. Sioux Lookout — Eastern Lac Seul. Upsala — Raith. White River — Dubreuilville.
CBC
04-06-2025
- Climate
- CBC
As wildfire evacuations continue in northwestern Ontario, lightning threatens the landscape
Social Sharing Community members from Webequie First Nation in northwestern Ontario are continuing to be flown out as nearby wildfires show no signs of letting up. The remote Ojibway community declared a state of emergency and initiated a phase 1 evacuation last Thursday due to Nipigon 5, a wildfire measuring more than 8,500 hectares. The first evacuees were brought out on Monday, delayed by a shortage of aircraft due to competing demands in other communities impacted by wildfires, according to Webequie's Chief Cornelius Wabasse. As of Wednesday, more than 370 evacuees had been brought to Barrie, about a one-hour drive north of Toronto. "We're making progress, trying to get especially the vulnerable [community members] out, people that have respiratory issues and other medical conditions," Wabasse told CBC News on Wednesday. At that point, the fire was moving away from the community, though Wabasse said the wind was bringing heavy smoke from out west. Wabasse — identified as a community member prioritized for evacuation — is staying in Thunder Bay in order to be closer to his community to co-ordinate evacuation efforts. A number of resources have been set up for evacuees in Barrie, he said, including "medical support, counselling support, all those mental health supports as well, too." "I think they're doing a good job over there in Barrie, making sure that everybody is comfortable and that we don't overlook the well-being of those people that are there," Wabasse said. On Wednesday, four more flights were scheduled out of Webequie, with more expected to take place Thursday. Meanwhile, hundreds of evacuees from Deer Lake First Nation are staying in Toronto, while members of Wabaseemoong Independent Nations have been in Niagara Falls since mid-May. A number of special air quality statements and warnings remain in effect across the region due to smoke pollution from both Ontario and Manitoba wildfires. "Our officers have been assisting in Webequie First Nation this week where forest fires have forced the evacuation of the community. Our thoughts are with the people of this Webequie First Nation and other Nishnawbe Aski Nation communities across the province being threatened by Ontario wildfires," the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service posted on Facebook Wednesday. "We would also like to take a moment to thank our NAPS officers who have stepped up during this time of crisis and provided their communities with the services they expect and deserve. "We've dispatched additional officers to Webequie, who are now also helping to ensure community safety is maintained and that evacuated residents receive the help they need during this stressful time," the post says. Fires 'gaining size very fast' Chris Marchand, a fire information officer with Ontario's Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services who is based in Dryden, said the 2025 wildfire season can already be characterized as a busy year. "We had a very early start in May and several weeks with rather minimal precipitation across the northwest," Marchand told CBC's Up North on Wednesday. "One real concern is how receptive our landscape is becoming to fires caused by lightning — not only are our forest fuels extremely dry, but so is the ground. And then that really makes it easier for lightning fires to get started, for fires in general to burn deeper and require more effort and resources to extinguish." Marchand said firefighters from British Columbia have been lending their support in the region, but one challenge is that "the fires that we're finding are gaining size very fast." "In a lot of situations, air attack has been required with water bombers to really reduce the intensity of these fires when they're initially discovered, to allow crews to get in quickly and to make sure that they don't become larger problems," Marchand said. Though there has been scattered rainfall over the past few days, the region remains dry, said Marchand, which is why it's important for people to continue obeying the rules of the restricted fire zone in place — namely, not lighting campfires, burn barrels or burn piles. Drones have also become an issue since they can hinder aerial operations around wildfires, he added. "The presence of a drone presents a danger to air crews and can result in the cancellation of an air attack mission that is usually being sent to protect lives or property — so please, no drones within nine kilometres of a wildland fire," said Marchand.
CBC
03-06-2025
- General
- CBC
First Nation chiefs share safety concerns amid wildfire evacuations in northwestern Ontario
Social Sharing As wildfire evacuees from northwestern Ontario settle in at their accommodations in the southern part of the province, community chiefs are raising concerns about what happens next. Wabaseemoong Independent Nations was the first community in the region to issue an evacuation notice on May 13 because of the area's largest fire, Kenora 20, which spans more than 35,000 hectares. About 450 members of the Ojibway First Nation, located north of Kenora, are staying in Niagara Falls. Next, Deer Lake First Nation called for a community evacuation on Wednesday due to the nearby fire Red Lake 12, which is now more than 17,900 hectares large. Nearly 900 members of the remote Oji-Cree community have been brought to Toronto. Chief Leonard Mamakeesic said the evacuation has gone smoothly, all things considered. Community members took Dash 8 planes to Thunder Bay before being transported on larger planes to Toronto, he said. "I try to be more on the positive side," Mamakeesic said in an interview with CBC News Monday afternoon. "To be grateful that we have hotels at the moment; there are reserves in Manitoba that are staying in gymnasiums." Webequie First Nation declared a state of emergency on Thursday due to a wildfire known as Nipigon 5, which is more than 7,500 hectares large. Evacuees are being sent to Barrie, about a one-hour drive north of Toronto. However, Chief Cornelius Wabasse said a shortage of aircraft due to high demands in other communities affected by wildfires delayed the remote Ojibway First Nation's evacuation. "There is a shortage of planes and also other resources," Wabasse told CBC News in an interview Monday morning. The first planes were expected to arrive in the community Monday and bring about 200 of the First Nation's most vulnerable down south. CBC News has reached out to the provincial government for comment on Webequie's concerns about a shortage of planes, and is awaiting a response. Concerns around culture shock, outside influences While Wabasse's main goal is keeping community members safe while they wait for planes out of Webequie, Mamakeesic says his top priority is maintaining security in Toronto for the members of Deer Lake First Nation. Fewer than 1,500 people live in Deer Lake. Like Webequie, it's only accessible by plane or winter road. Transitioning from life in the remote north to Canada's most populous city "is a cultural shock," Mamakeesic said. He's worried about the high traffic levels near the hotel, as well as pressures on community members to consume alcohol or drugs because they're "easier down here to get," he said. Two years ago, Deer Lake members were evacuated to Cornwall because of wildfires. A lot of lessons were learned through that experience, Mamakeesic said, including the importance of keeping community members engaged. "I'm trying to integrate my workers into what's already set up to make it easier. That's a big lesson I'm learning from my past evacuations," he said. For example, while ISN Maskwa, an Indigenous emergency operations centre, is providing security services for evacuees in Toronto, Mamakeesic is trying to get his own community members to work with them, so evacuees can deal with familiar faces. Overall, though, he's been encouraging people to make the most out of their time in Toronto while they wait for the all-clear to return home. "I think it's going well," he said. "I always tell my council, it reflects on us to be calm and if we work collaboratively, then it filters down to our people."
