Aroland First Nation Points to Ontario Government Secrecy

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First Nation seeks Freedom of Information
for Confidential Agreements between Mining Firm and Province

Aroland First Nation claims the Province is failing in duty to consult on Cliffs Chromite Project

AROLAND FIRST NATION - MAY 7, 2012: Aroland First Nation has filed a request for disclosure to the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines (MNDM) on information relating to Cliffs Chromite mining project in the area, known as the Ring of Fire under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA).

Aroland is one of the First Nations that will be directly impacted from the Cliffs initiative which includes the construction of an open pit mine, ore processing facility, ferrochrome production facility and an integrated transport system that will include a 340 kilometer North-South all-season road corridor from the mine site to just west of the community of Aroland. A number of major environmental impacts have already been identified and has raised concerns with First Nations closeby.

The decision to file a freedom of information request was made when it came to light that the Ontario Government and Cliffs have been holding confidential meetings, concealing information and are preparing to make an announcement.

"We need to find out what has been going on behind closed doors. Our community is going to be impacted by the Cliffs project along with many others, but we were not part of these meetings, nor were local municipalities. We believe Cliffs and the province are holding discussions behind all of our backs about the ferrochrome processing plant, the mine, the infrastructure, and more," said Chief Sonny Gagnon of Aroland First Nation.

The Chief went on to explain, "We need to find out the extent of these exclusive meetings. They are deciding the future for everyone in Northwestern Ontario without consulting any of us. Furthermore this a breach of our constitutional right under section 35 of the Canadian Constitution Act, 1980 which guarantees First Nations the right to be consulted and accommodated on matters that affect them and their traditional lands.

Aroland's request seeks records in the possession of the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines and any provincial department and ministry with which the MNDM participated in the decision to site the Cliffs Natural Resources Ferrochrome Production Facility in the greater Sudbury area, near Capreol.

"This is exactly why a Comprehensive Environmental Assessment does not work for First Nations. We want a negotiated Joint Review Panel, we want to fully participate, we want to protect our land, our people and exercise our Aboriginal Treaty Rights. We don't want to be a victim of the Comprehensive Study EA and end up like Attawapiskat," Chief Gagnon added.

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About Aroland First Nation
Aroland (2006 Population 325) is an Ojibwa and Oji-Cree First Nation in the Canadian province of Ontario, located in the Thunder Bay District approximately 20 kilometers west of Nakina in Greenstone.

Media Contact:
Chief Sonny Gagnon
Aroland First Nation
Ph: 807-620-7195

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Aroland First Nation raises questions
about ethics of Ontario Mining Minister - after months of ignoring First Nations, Ontario attempts last-minute "Buy off" of Ring of Fire First Nations

Thunder Bay (May 9, 2012) - Today, the Chief of the Aroland First Nation raised serious questions about the ethics of Ontario Mining Minister Rick Bartolucci and MPP for Sudbury. The Minister, in a last ditch effort of questionable morality, arranged a secret meeting late yesterday ( May 8 ) between the Aroland Chief, the Marten Falls Chief and Ontario officials. The goal of the meeting was to head off growing First Nation opposition to the Cliffs chromite mine and refinery.

"After ignoring First Nations for months, Ontario thought they could divide and conquer us by holding an 11th hour meeting and making a few promises without our fellow Matawa Chiefs present," said Chief Sonny Gagnon. "Ontario needs to deal with First Nations first rather than simply taking orders from Cliffs. We want the refinery in Aroland territory and we want the highest standard of environmental review for the project."

"We asked the Minister to pause the Cliffs announcement on the refinery, but Bartolucci said he had no control over Cliffs, "said Gagnon. "Who is really running this Province? Our elected officials or an American mining company?"

A regional coalition of elected municipal officials and First Nations support locating the refinery in Aroland First Nation territory and it having the highest standard of environmental review.

The refinery and mine could bring up to 1,000 desperately needed jobs to First Nations in the region. An area suffering from chronically high levels of unemployment following a downturn and restructuring of the forest industry.

Unless properly reviewed in a joint panel, the Cliffs project with its 350 km long permanent transportation corridor and mega open pit mine threatens to open up a remote region of Ontario to uncontrolled mining development, dramatically alter river systems, discharge toxic pollution and fundamentally change the environment and way of life remote First Nations-forever.

The Cliffs project is the canary in the coal mine of the Harper government's rollback of environmental regulation. In October 2011, the Matawa First Nations were forced to launch a judicial review when the federal government decided to simply use a paper process called a comprehensive study to review the environmental impacts of this unprecedented mega project in the untouched headwaters of the Attawapiskat river system. Cliffs has supported the federal government in their decision, touting their preference for an American style regulatory process that gives corporations freedom and flexibility, and eliminates any independent oversight of the environmental assessment of the project.

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Contact Chief Sonny Gagnon, Aroland First Nation
Phone: 807-620-7195
email: chiefgagnonafn@gmail.com

Aroland is an Ojibwa and Oji-Cree First Nation, located in the District of Thunder Bay District approximately 20 kilometers west of Nakina. The Aroland First Nation is located inside the Municipality of Greenstone and is close to Exton which they contend is the proper site for a Ring of Fire refinery.

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"We are committed to exploring opportunities that will develop meaningful social and economic supports for First Nations. We need to continue working together so that we can identify key areas of support for the future. Through ongoing dialogue and the participation of all parties, including the federal government, we can continue to build on the resources that have already been invested in our First Nation communities." – Kathleen Wynne, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs

May 9, 2012

McGuinty Government Supports Responsible Ring Of Fire Mining Development
Cliffs Natural Resources has announced a $3.3-billion investment to build a chromite mine, transportation corridor and processing facility in Northern Ontario's Ring of Fire that would lead to a new generation of prosperity in the north, with thousands of jobs and new infrastructure.

The Ring of Fire represents one of the most significant mineral regions in the province, and includes the largest deposit of chromite ever discovered in North America. The chromite found in this area, 540 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay, is a key ingredient used to create stainless steel.

Cliffs Natural Resources has announced it intends to build a $1.8-billion chromite processing facility in Capreol, near Sudbury. This would employ 450 people during construction, and as many as 450 people when the facility is in operation. Mine and mill development, as well as the construction and operation of transportation infrastructure, could create an additional 750 jobs, plus hundreds of indirect employment opportunities for Northern Ontarians and First Nations' communities.

Ontario will work closely with First Nations to ensure they are partners in this development. The province is committing to a First Nations dialogue focusing on long-term environm! ental monitoring, socioeconomic and community development, regional infrastructure and resource revenue sharing. Ontario is calling on the federal government to work with Ontario and First Nations' communities to advance the project.

Discussions will also begin on the proposed development of a new all-season road to run south from the Ring of Fire through northwestern Ontario.

Ontario is committed to rigorous environmental standards for the development of the Ring of Fire. The federal and provincial governments are co-ordinating environmental assessments of the proposed processing facility, transportation corridor and mine site developments. The government is committed to ensuring that the Crown's duty to consult is met throughout the Ring of Fire development.

This is another example of the growing investment in Ontario's mineral sector. Mineral exploration investments in the province surpassed $1 billion for the first time last year and new! capital investments by the mining sector in 2011 exceeded $3 ! billion, driving economic activity and creating jobs.

Supporting a successful mining sector is part of the McGuinty government's plan to create jobs for Ontarians, create opportunities for First Nations' communities and strengthen the economy.

QUOTES

"Ontario is blessed with an abundance of natural resources at a time in history when the world is developing faster than ever and demanding these resources. We are taking advantage of this incredible opportunity in the Ring of Fire to further open up Northern Ontario by bringing thousands of jobs, new infrastructure and economic opportunities to cities, towns and First Nations' communities."

– Rick Bartolucci
Minister of Northern Development and Mines

"We are committed to exploring opportunities that will develop meaningful social and economic supports for First Nations. We need to continue working together so that we can identify key areas of support for the future. Through ongoing dialogue and the participation of all parties, including the federal government, we can continue to build on the resources that have already been invested in our First Nation communities."

– Kathleen Wynne
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs

"The Ring of Fire is a tremendous investment that will bring tangible benefits for Thunder Bay and Greenstone, as well as other communities in the Northwest, including the First Nations in the Ring of Fire itself. There are significant economic opportunities to be realized for our communities, including new jobs and infrastructure, training opportunities, and a range of local and regional business opportunities, all which will drive growth and increase investment for future generations."

– Michael Gravelle
MPP for Thunder Bay-Superior North

"This is great news for not only for the north, but for the entire province. This reaffirms our position as a global leader in mineral investment. The number of jobs created and positive economic impacts will benefit Ontarians for years to come."

– Brad Duguid
Minister of Economic Development and Innovation

"The Ministry of the Environment will ensure that this project is environmentally sound. We will monitor any impacts, and will work with all interested parties in doing this work."

– Jim Bradley
Minister of the Environment

"Cliffs is pleased to be moving forward with the proposed development of a mine in the Ring of Fire and a processing facility near Sudbury. These milestones bring us closer to opening the mine and starting production to meet the global demand for stainless steel."

– Bill Boor
Senior Vice-President - Global Ferroalloys, Cliffs Natural Resources
QUICK FACTS

Cliffs Natural Resources is one of over 20 companies holding claims in the Ring of Fire.
Ontario leads all Canadian jurisdictions in mineral exploration, with 26 per cent of the country's exploration investment located within the province.
Toronto is the mining investment capital of the world. More than 80 per cent of all global financing for mining equity is done on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
The Ring of Fire also holds the potential for significant production of nickel, copper and platinum.
The Ring of Fire is comparable to other historic world-class mining areas, such as Timmins, Sudbury, Kirkland Lake and Red Lake.
About 27,000 Ontarians are already directly employed in metal mining, and 50,000 are in jobs associated with mineral processing.
The mining sector is already the largest private sector employer of Aboriginals in Canada.

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May 9th, 2012

Responding to Ring of Fire announcements made by Cliffs Natural Resources and Ontario today, Webequie First Nation has issued the following statement:

Webequie First Nation acknowledges Ontario’s commitment to support the directly impacted First Nations and to engage the Federal Government in the trilateral process.

It is important for all levels of government, including local impacted First Nations governments, to work together towards a cooperative framework.

While acknowledging this new regional commitment, Webequie First Nation will continue to dialogue and pursue future assurances from both levels of Government and industry partners for the continued examination of the feasibility of an optional utility corridor.

This optional utility corridor will ensure that the community infrastructure needs of Webequie First Nation and other regionally impacted First Nations are responsibly incorporated into northern development plans.

The members of Webequie First Nation reaffirm the need of all stakeholders to uphold and respect the environmental integrity of our traditional homelands as a priority consideration of any major infrastructure development in the region.

Webequie First Nation’s Chief and Council is also reminding the general public of its Ring of Fire Community Position Paper’s main message, which states: ‘no outside parties or organizations represent Webequie First Nation’s community interests or rights associated with the Ring of Fire developments’.

Webequie First Nation looks forward to continue direct discussions with the Ring of Fire companies and all representatives of the Crown.