As the Ontario government continues to push for development in northern Ontario, an Anishinaabe First Nation in the region is praising a mining company for “demonstrating true reconciliation” by agreeing to withdraw from an area in the community’s traditional territory. 

Landore Resources Canada Inc., the company behind the BAM Gold Project at Junior Lake, has been conducting exploration activities in the Thunder Bay district.

But after hearing concerns from Biigtigong Nishnaabeg (also known as Ojibways of the Pic River First Nation) about potential exploration in an area known as the Seeley property, Landore withdrew its application to renew its mining lease there.

The property sits on lands of cultural significance to the community.

“If you want true reconciliation with First Nations, that is the kind of thing you do: you give land back,” Biigtigong Nishnaabeg’s Chief Duncan Michano said.

The decision comes at a time when all eyes are on northern Ontario’s Ring of Fire further north, a critical mineral deposit in the James Bay lowlands which Premier Doug Ford says “will add $22 billion to Canada’s economy and create 70,000 new jobs.”

Many First Nations have pushed back against development there, saying the government has not properly consulted with them.

Biigtigong Nishnaabeg says it’s not opposed to development, but it must be done on the community’s terms.

“We understand that you need to have development. The population of our country is growing, the demand for resources all around the world is growing,” Michano said. “But there’s certain areas where we have strong interest that we don’t want developed at all.”

I think what’s important for proponents and industries to remember is to have that dialogue and to include First Nations. Don’t do it in absence of us.– Debi Bouchie, CEO of Biigtigong Nishnaabeg

In 2020, Ontario placed a notice of caution in its mining lands administration system, which alerted the mining industry to the presence of Aboriginal title claims in the region.

Four years later, Biigtigong Nishnaabeg issued a public notice about areas of cultural significance north of Lake Superior, “where mineral exploration and development would be damaging to the community.”

Biigtigong Nishnaabeg has developed a strong relationship with Landore over the years. The company previously gave land back to the First Nation in the Coldwell area — a historic fishing village where community members traditionally lived — after staking a mining claim there.

“I think what you have to do is build a relationship with the company, and that goes a long ways,” Michano said. “You can’t always be fighting. You gotta try to make them understand why it’s a good thing to return the land.”

Private citizens returned land to Biigtigong Nishnaabeg last summer, he added.

“It’s kind of heartwarming because they get it,” Michano said. “They know that true reconciliation means the return of some of the land.”

‘There’s a little bit of a trade off’

About 450 people live in Biigtigong Nishnaabeg, located just over 300 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay off the Trans-Canada highway. 

Community leaders describe it as a progressive First Nation that’s open to economic opportunities that will benefit its members. 

WATCH | How Ontario will accelerate Ring of Fire development:

How Ontario will accelerate Ring of Fire development

Ontario will spend millions to expand and fast-track construction of roads into the mineral-rich Ring of Fire, aiming to begin opening sections by 2030. CBC’s Shawn Jeffords breaks down the project and the new timeline.

“We have been strong supporters of various industry and various activity, but it won’t be at the cost of what is important to our community — so it’s a balancing of that piece that we really work on,” said Debi Bouchie, the community’s chief executive officer.

“I think what’s important for proponents and industries to remember is to have that dialogue and to include First Nations. Don’t do it in absence of us.”

The earlier those conversations start, the better, said Michano. 

“You stay off the land that we don’t want developed and we’ll support you in areas where we feel it’s OK to have development — there’s a little bit of a trade off, right?” he said.

In a news release issued earlier this month, Landore Resources Canada Inc. said it’s important for companies to demonstrate their commitments to environmental and social governance through actions rather than words.

“At Landore, we are committed to responsible and sustainable mineral exploration practices that prioritize the well-being of our stakeholders, the environment, and communities in which we operate,” said Landore Resources Canada Inc.’s Michele Tuomi.

As prospectors continue to stake claims all across the north, Biigtigong Nishnaabeg says there’s lessons to be learned from Landore’s approach. 

“We’re hopeful that others will see it and follow suit,” Bouchie said.