EABAMETONG, Ont. – May 14, 2025 – Eabametoong First Nation (EFN) is urging governments and industry to slow down and build true Treaty-based partnerships before pushing ahead with major resource projects in Northern Ontario’s Ring of Fire.
Who’s Speaking?
Chief Solomon Atlookan and Council issued an open statement today, calling genuine First Nation engagement “the bedrock of any sustainable plan” for the North.
What’s the Issue?
With new political faces in Ottawa and Queen’s Park speeding to approve mines and roads, EFN says too many decision-makers are treating consultation as a box-checking exercise. “Respect and wisdom go a long way, although they are becoming rare in these days of self-interest,” the Chief and Council warn.
Why It Matters
EFN sits close to the Ring of Fire – one of Canada’s richest mineral belts. Past attempts to “force your way north,” they argue, only sparked lawsuits, divided communities, and chased investors away. Real progress, EFN says, comes when Treaty #9 partners co-create the rules, share decision-making, and put local quality of life first.
What EFN Wants
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Trilateral “war-council” talks involving Ottawa, Queen’s Park, and neighbouring First Nations to hammer out shared laws and timelines.
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Joint management of lands and resources, honouring Treaty promises made more than a century ago.
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Practical projects – all-season roads, reliable power, and skills training – designed with northern communities, not for them.
A Call to Leaders
Chief Atlookan is inviting Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier Doug Ford to sit down with EFN and craft a long-term, “boom-proof” vision. “We must have a seat at the table. Rushing laws to strip resources faster than the next politician helps no one,” the statement reads.
Looking Back to Move Forward
EFN reminds Canadians that its ancestors fought beside settler forces in 1812 under Treaty #9. Today’s push for minerals, they say, is another test of that historic alliance. “Wisdom and respect built this country once,” Council members note. “They can build a stronger North again.”
About Eabametoong First Nation
Located 360 km north of Thunder Bay on Eabamet Lake, EFN is a fly-in Ojibwe community of roughly 1,600 members. Known for its stewardship of the Albany River watershed, EFN champions youth education, language revitalization, and responsible economic development.
