Wabun’s member First Nations (Beaverhouse First Nation, Brunswick House First Nation, Chapleau Ojibway First Nation, Flying Post First Nation, Matachewan First Nation and Mattagami First Nation) have applied a consistent approach to engaging with the resource industry.

This policy is one of the positive outcomes of over decade-long efforts on the part of the Wabun Tribal Council and member First Nations to secure recognition and acknowledgement of First Nation rights to resource governance.

The collective traditional territory of Wabun’s First Nations spans through north-eastern Ontario. Roughly the size of France, the historic mining camps of Timmins and Kirkland Lake are located within the WTC territory. This is the busiest area for mineral exploration and development in Ontario, and arguably in Canada.

Wabun has provided technical support to its member First Nations for the negotiation of forestry, mining, hydro-electric development. Wabun’s First Nations is prepared to consider supporting and participating in resource development provided traditional and treaty rights are respected, appropriate measures are taken to protect the environment, and benefits flow to the communities.

The goal is to facilitate dialogue between First Nations and resource developers to encourage meaningful relationships that deliver results to all parties. Our position is that agreements are mandatory. They ensure socio-economic deliverables to our First Nations, which have been – for too long – at the margins of development taken place within their traditional and treaty lands.