Province appoints Ring of Fire coordinator

The appointment of a coordinator for the Ring of Fire region has Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy disappointed Ontario failed to consult First Nations on the decision.
Premier Dalton McGuinty was in Thunder Bay Sept. 30 to announce Dr. Christine Kaszycki as coordinator for the Ring of Fire region. Kaszycki has served as assistant deputy minister of the mines and minerals division for the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry.
The Ring of Fire, home to a potentially huge chromite deposit, a mineral used to create stainless steal, is an area the province believes has potential to create jobs and enhance economic development in northern Ontario. The province said it has the potential to be North America’s only supplier of chromite.
"Northerners are working hard to build strong communities and contribute to a prosperous Ontario. We're working with Northerners, Aboriginal communities and mining partners to fully realize the Ring of Fire's potential," McGuinty said in a release shortly after his announcement.
But the premier’s announcement of Kasycki as coordinator has Beardy feeling left out of the decision. He is disappointed the province failed to consult NAN First Nations despite continuous talk of a new relationship with First Nations.
“We are disturbed that the premier can express his willingness to create a true partnership and yet leaves us out of this critical process,” Beardy said. “We should have been a part of the selection of the person to fill this critical position.”
Beardy is still standing strong behind previous statements of no development in NAN territory without consent of First Nations.
“We are not against resource development however we want to be full participants in all aspects of the process,” Beardy said.