Neskantaga First Nation is rejecting the coordinated announcements made this week by Ontario and Canada to fast-track Ring of Fire mining development and road building. The provincial and federal governments are both working to advance these destructive projects while ignoring the devastating social and health crises facing First Nations communities, including Neskantaga.

On September 10th, Ontario announced plans to begin construction of a “gateway” road through Geraldton to the Ring of Fire, with Premier Doug Ford pledging that this is only the beginning of a massive push to open the North to mining. At the same time, Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled his list of “nation-building projects,” stating that all-weather road infrastructure in Northern Canada will be soon named as additional projects set for fast-tracking—a likely reference to the Northern Road Link project that Neskantaga has consistently opposed.

“We are losing our people to epidemics of suicide, addictions, and mental health struggles, all while the governments of Ontario and Canada continue to neglect our community’s needs. Instead, they are pouring resources into mining roads that will destroy our homelands,” said Chief Gary Quisess. “They only want the minerals under our feet and show little care for the people who live here. We do not consent.”

A Community in Crisis, Ignored by Governments

Neskantaga has declared multiple states of emergency in recent years—over youth suicides, addictions, mental health, and lack of safe drinking water. The community continues to suffer from chronic housing shortages and limited health services. Despite repeated calls for urgent support, governments remain absent when it comes to addressing these life-and-death issues.

Yet those same governments are mobilizing quickly to dismantle environmental protections, create “special economic zones,” and give mining companies a free pass to carve through rivers, forests, and the homelands of the Anishinaabe people.

“The Attawapiskat River is our lifeline. It gives us food, water, and healing. Our lands and waters are what keep us alive,” said Chief Quisess. “Instead of helping us protect life, Ontario and Canada are accelerating its destruction. This is not nation-building—it is nation-breaking.”

Defending the River, Defending Life

The Northern Road Link cannot reach the Ring of Fire mineral deposits without crossing the Attawapiskat River—a vital and healthy river system in Treaty No.9 territory. This threatens not only fish, caribou, and wildlife habitat, but also the cultural survival and spiritual wellbeing of communities like Neskantaga’s who rely on the river.

Neskantaga members depend on the Attawapiskat River watershed for healing, both spiritually and culturally, from the current crises the community faces. To harm this ecosystem is to deepen the wounds already felt by generations of colonial policies and today’s epidemics of government neglect.

“Governments say they will consult us, but they continue to divide and conquer, ignoring our Treaty rights while advancing mining interests,” said Chief Quisess. “We need urgent action on housing, health, mental health, and addictions. We need to save lives. Instead, all we see is billions committed to mining projects. Do these governments really see our people as expendable?”

Neskantaga calls on Canadians to see through the empty promises of “nation-building” and “critical minerals.” True nation-building means supporting the health, dignity, and survival of all: this includes First Nations peoples and protecting the land and water that sustains all life. “Our message is simple: We do not consent. We will defend the Attawapiskat River and our homelands for future generations,” said Chief Quisess. “Our lives, our families, and our lands are more important than mining profits.”

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES CONTACT:

• Nessie Nankivell: Nessie.nankivell@mail.utoronto.ca, 647-552-3647
• Chief Gary Quisess: chief.quisess@neskantaga.com