By Jacqueline M. St. Pierre, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Manitoulin Expositor TORONTO\u2014As the global mining industry gathered in Toronto for the annual Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada Convention, the Anishinabek Nation delivered a pointed message to investors, mining companies and government officials: there will be no certainty in the rush for critical minerals without First Nations at the decision-making table. In a March 3 statement addressed directly to the industry conference, Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige warned that the stability investors seek cannot be achieved by sidelining Indigenous rights. \u201cTrue certainty in critical minerals development can only be achieved through genuine, equitable partnership with our nations,\u201d Chief Debassige said. The Anishinabek Nation represents 39 member First Nations across Ontario and approximately 70,000 citizens. Their territories overlap… <\/p>\n
By Jacqueline M. St. Pierre, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Manitoulin Expositor TORONTO\u2014As the global mining industry gathered in Toronto for the annual Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada Convention, the Anishinabek Nation delivered a pointed message to investors, mining companies and government officials: there will be no certainty in the rush for critical minerals without First Nations at the decision-making table. In a March 3 statement addressed directly to the industry conference, Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige warned that the stability investors seek cannot be achieved by sidelining Indigenous rights. \u201cTrue certainty in critical minerals development can only be achieved through genuine, equitable partnership with our nations,\u201d Chief Debassige said. The Anishinabek Nation represents 39 member First Nations across Ontario and approximately 70,000 citizens. Their territories overlap... <\/p>\n