Ring of Fire

Ring of Fire is a mining area in Northern Ontario.

In Anishinabek News

• October 2013: Chief Allen Towegishig identified this area as a source of future employment and training opportunities for Anishinabek citizens.
• November 2013: The development of the Ring of Fire may require an $800 million road or a $1.2 billion railroad starting from Nakina. Wally Bannon identified the Ring of Fire as a major opportunity for First Nation business and employment in Northwestern Ontario.
• December 2013: The withdrawal of Cliffs Natural Resources from the Ring of Fire was cited as evidence that Ontario lacks a clear framework for treaty recognition. Challenges surrounding the Ring of Fire development prompted calls for First Nations to be included in strategic government discussions.
• May 2014: The deposit is located within the traditional territories of nine First Nation communities. It has been described as having the potential to generate 120 billion dollars.
• June 2014: Patrick Madahbee identified the Ring of Fire as a project that should generate jobs and wealth for First Nations. The Anishinabek Nation emphasized that development in the Ring of Fire must be conducted in a way that protects traditional lands.
• February 2015: The Ring of Fire is located approximately 500 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay. Joe Moses identified the area as a prime location for development once mining markets improve.
• March 2015: A proposed east-west transportation corridor aims to provide community access and support mineral development in the Ring of Fire. As of March 2015, the provincial and federal governments announced a $785,000 study regarding the east-west corridor.
• March 2015: Rick Millette promoted the potential economic benefits of this region in an article for NetNewsLedger.
• June 2015: The Ontario Mining Forum featured a panel on facilitating the development of the area's massive potential. A proposal for the construction and operation of the Ring of Fire Railway was discussed at the forum.
• January 2016: The Ontario Chamber of Commerce recommended coordinating infrastructure planning with Indigenous interests to accelerate development in this region. KWG Resources signed an agreement to study a transportation corridor to handle ore from this area.
• February 2016: A 2016 report recommended broadening the mandate of the Ring of Fire Infrastructure Development Corporation to coordinate planning with Aboriginal and northern interests. The federal and provincial governments funded a study for a road connecting this region to Pickle Lake. A KWG Resources official stated in 2015 that development of the area would require both a road and a railway.
• March 2016: Training programs for Matawa First Nations citizens are designed to meet the potential labour demands of this area.
• April 2016: Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler discussed this area during a meeting with Justin Trudeau in April 2016.
• June 2016: Activist Tori Cress identified this region as a site of potential future environmental damage.
• September 2016: The Union of Ontario Indians stated that participation in this project only represents a small portion of the potential economic impact of First Nations.
• September 2017: The 2017 tour participants discussed the development of these mineral deposits located in the far north of Ontario. As of September 2017, provincial commitments include building roads to facilitate development and transporting nickel concentrate to Sudbury for processing.
• December 2018: Isadore Day identified this region as a major focus for industry and investors in Ontario.
• October 2019: Grand Council Chief Glen Hare stated that First Nation communities must be included on projects including the Ring of Fire.
• March 2023: The Red Rock Integrated Marine Supply Chain is intended to link this region to the Great Lakes shipping route.
• January 2025: The area has experienced a recent surge in mining claims. A study is being conducted to assess whether mining companies in this region have engaged in meaningful consultation with First Nations. The region is considered to have potential for critical mineral extraction needed for a green economy transition.
• February 2025: The Anishinabek Nation identified the protection of relatives in this area as a key priority for the next seven generations. The leadership aims to safeguard this region from external governing bodies to ensure long-term prosperity.
• March 2025: The Ring of Fire is a focus of resource extraction plans that Bizhiki Niibowid argues threaten the land and water of Indigenous Nations. Development in the Ring of Fire has been opposed by Neskantaga to protect their future and sovereignty.
• March 2025: The Anishinabek Nation criticized recent statements regarding this project as being reminiscent of colonial practices. The organization stated that its consent is required before any activities related to this project can proceed in its territories.
• May 2025: Michael Jacobs identified the Ring of Fire as one of the major upcoming infrastructure projects that will impact First Nation communities. Michael Jacobs argued that local communities should ensure they benefit economically from the development of this project.
• June 2025: The area is located within Treaty 9 territory where First Nation communities were not approached as equal partners regarding new legislation. Proposed developments in this region are a focus of the industrial expansion discussed in relation to Bill 5: The Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act.
• July 2025: Neskantaga First Nation expressed concerns that industrial development in this region could disturb sensitive peatlands.
• December 2025: The Ring of Fire is located within the traditional territories of First Nation peoples. Linda Debassige identified the Ring of Fire as a key mineral-rich area where resource development must benefit all communities.
• January 2026: The Anishinabek Nation asserted their ongoing relationship and rights regarding this region despite colonial geographic boundaries. Indigenous opposition to projects in this area is based on the protection of land, culture, and future generations.
• April 2026: Corporations are obtaining permits from governments to extract resources from the Ring of Fire without traditional environmental assessments. Industrial activity in this region is expected to cause serious pollution to water, fish, and wildlife. Development in this area threatens the livelihoods of Indigenous people who live from fishing, hunting, and gathering.
• July 2026: Governments and corporations have spent over $7 million on advertisements in one year to promote the Ring of Fire mining project. Many First Nations people disagree with the development of the Ring of Fire due to the expansion of roads into the north.
• September 2026: Long Lake #58 First Nation is preparing its members to benefit from mining opportunities associated with this development area. The project is part of a broader movement to strengthen the economy of Ontario and Canada.