NESKANTAGA FIRST NATION
DEVELOPMENT PROTOCOL
Introduction
Neskantaga First Nation is a pro-development community. Our First Nation is open to negotiating with
developers provided that we receive a fair share of resources including jobs, training and wealth for our
community. Given our remote location, we do not have ready access to many industries that provide
employment opportunities for our community members, and we rely on the natural resources of our
traditional lands to support our community and our way of life.

The following principles guide our discussions during negotiations:


The developer must respect the position that the traditional lands of Neskantaga First Nation are under
the control of the First Nation and not managed by the Crown, regardless of what the Mining Act
declares.



The First Nation does not recognize the 1947 Ministry of Natural Resources trap line system. All of
our traditional lands are held collectively by the community, and all benefits from the use of these
lands accrue to the community.



NFN is part of the collective and shared lands of Treaty Number 9. NFN has title and inherent rights
since time immemorial to these lands referred as Neskantaga Traditional, Ancestral, Historical and
Customary Lands.



Neskantaga First Nation’s traditional territory encompasses the Attawapiskat Watershed and its
tributaries including Marten-Drinking River, Otoskwin River, Pineimuta River, the Mucketti River,
the Ring of Fire territory as well as to lands north, south, east and west of the community.



The Crown has a fiduciary responsibility to consult and accommodate the First Nation with respect to
mining companies exploring on the traditional lands of NFN. They must consult the First Nation
regarding all exploration activities being planned on the traditional territory of NFN. This
consultation must occur prior to staking taking place on the traditional lands of NFN.



Neskantaga First Nation must benefit socially and economically from the proposed development
program. The economic/social benefits will match the scope of the development activity and must be
meaningful and respectful of NFN.

 

The consent of the First Nation community is required for all levels of development activity held on
the traditional lands of Neskantaga First Nation. This consent if provided is in the form of a
community resolution. Without consent, the developer cannot proceed with its program.



Formal contact with the First Nation must be in writing.



The developer is required to meet with a negotiating team as defined by the First Nation to negotiate
development agreements. Meetings will not be held in the community until such time as the First
Nation is satisfied; in the case of mining exploration that negotiations have proceeded to the point that
either a Letter of Comfort or Early Exploration Agreement can be successfully negotiated.



These meetings do not represent consultation by the developer, but are rather discussions until
agreements are put in place. By our definition, consultation only occurs with the community.



It is the position of the First Nation that all expenses, fees and related expenditures must be paid by
the developer as part of the negotiation process.



Accommodation must be in the community unless otherwise negotiated.



The NFN archaeologist must be utilized during the exploration program since comprehensive value
mapping has not been completed for the entire traditional lands. The fees for the archaeologist will be
paid by the company. If the developer desires to utilize their own archaeologist, as some developers
have, NFN’s archaeologist will review the material/reports provided to ensure the values of NFN are
protected.

Contact Information: Neskantaga First Nation, P.O. Box 105 Lansdowne House, ON POT 1ZO;
Telephone (807) 479-2570; Fax (807) 479-1138