November 30th is Giving Tuesday, and we are honoured to be spotlighting Neskantaga Nation.
This northern Ontario Nation’s brave stance against the breakneck Ring of Fire mining expansion is an inspiring story of how one Indigenous community is upholding Anishinabe stewardship principles in the face of reckless development.
Having launched their legal challenge just last week, Neskantaga has managed to draw support from hundreds of RAVEN donors and inspired the creation of a matching funds pool.
On Giving Tuesday — until midnight, we’ll double every contribution you make to Neskantaga. On top of that, today our donation platform is waiving fees, meaning 100% of your contribution will go towards providing access to justice for Neskantaga! Donate here
Neskantaga First Nation is an Ojibwe community situated along the shores of Attawapiskat Lake. The community is located in the district of Kenora, 436 kilometers northeast of Thunder Bay, Ontario.
The Neskantaga culture is intertwined with three river systems that connect their community on Attawapiskat Lake with James Bay: the Attawapiskat, the Winisk and the Albany drainages. Neskantaga members fill their freezers with sturgeon, moose, ducks, berries and other foods from their homeland. History is rich in this area. The ancestors of Neskantaga were involved in the fur trade since the late 1600s, with ancient Anishnawbe communities in the region dating back to at least 3,000 BCE.
Neskantaga Nation is signatory to Treaty 9 (1905).
Ontario is eager to allow mining companies access to the vast deposits of chromite, nickel, copper and platinum located in the James Bay Lowlands. Premier Doug Ford has vowed to jumpstart mining in the Ring of Fire, proclaiming: “If I have to hop on that bulldozer myself … we’re going to start building the roads.”
Not if Neskantaga can help it.
Neskantaga has well-defined, centuries-old community protocols around decision-making on land and resources, which includes bringing the whole community together to discuss and consider proposed projects in their territory. Says Neskantaga Chief Wayne Moonias, “You can expect opposition if Ontario — or any road proponent — tries to put a shovel in the ground of our territory without our consent.”
