Political quarterly update: Winter
Biboon (Winter) is upon us, and we give thanks for another year. As we begin the journey around our Grandfather again, we give thanks for the longer daylight hours, reminding us of warmer days ahead. It is in this season that we honour our Ancestors, share stories, and hold ceremonies. It is also the time we begin to prepare for the Ziigwan (Spring) awakening.
As we begin our journey into the Spring, we are reminded of the beauty and power of all creation that is ignited with the rising sun in the east. It is our Grandfather’s reminder to us all, that the Creator has gifted us with another day. We are reminded to not waste this precious gift. We need to lift each other up and not tear each other down. Speak positive things and not gossip about things that are not true. Be grateful for what you have and not complain that it is not enough. Love your life and be in service to our people. Strive to beautify everything in your life and everything around you. If you need help, do not be afraid to ask someone for help. Ngo Dwe Waangizid Anishinaabe—We are one Anishinaabe family.
Throughout the rest of the Winter and coming Spring, we will be ramping up our meetings with the federal and provincial governments to ensure that our Nation’s priorities and mandates are front and centre. Our rights-based agenda will be brought forth at every opportunity to achieve solutions and outcomes that we seek, for our Anishinabek First Nations and citizens.
One such item is the Heritage Framework Transformation (HTF). It presents an opportunity to create a modern, legally sound archaeological assessment regime that protects Ancestors, strengthens relationships, and creates clarity for all parties in the development industry. At the request of Grand Council Chief Debassige, a meeting was held on January 7, between the Anishinabek Nation and Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism (MCM). In this meeting, we discussed how the technical and practical aspects can be changed. It was an important opportunity to correct these longstanding issues that plagued the entire process. The Heritage Framework Transformation represents an important opportunity to correct these longstanding issues. Ontario’s archaeological record is overwhelmingly First Nations, yet First Nations have historically had little decision-making authority in how their own heritage is managed, protected, or interpreted. This gap has contributed to the ongoing loss of ancestral sites, inconsistent consultation practices, and a system that is not aligned with the Crown’s obligations under the Duty to Consult and Accommodate (DTCA) or the standards articulated in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
On the radar for the Anishinabek Nation, and of particular concern is the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) and the transportation of nuclear waste through our territories. The NWMO is seeking to exclude the transportation of high-level radioactive waste from the impact assessment process. One potential effect of the federal review is that they are excluding the concerns and voices of Anishinabek. Even more concerning is that based on the December 2025 agreement, the Federal Government (Impact Assessment Agency of Canada – IAAC) may use Ontario’s environmental assessment process for projects, aimed at achieving “one project, one review”. For those Anishinabek First Nations along the transportation route, it will be living with the risk of potential toxic waste contamination, and our communities will not have the opportunity to have the impacts assessed during the assessment and hearings, which are expected to get underway in 2028 or 2029.
On November 28, 2024, after a multi-year siting process, the NWMO selected the Revell site between Ignace and Dryden as its intended destination for all of Canada’s high-level nuclear fuel waste coming from nuclear power generating stations in southern Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick.
The NWMO estimates that transportation of the current waste inventory will require two to three trucks per day for more than 50 years. Those trucks will be travelling throughout Anishinabek Nation territory as they make the trip from the reactors in southern Ontario (Darlington and Pickering Nuclear Generating Stations in Williams Treaty territory and the Bruce Power Nuclear Generating Station in Saugeen Ojibway Nation territory) and the even longer distances from reactors in Quebec and New Brunswick. There is good reason for concerns with nuclear waste transportation because of the ongoing risk from of radiation from each shipment, and potential for larger releases under a variety of conditions throughout the highway infrastructure. Just look at the amount of large vehicle accidents on Highways 17 and 11, throughout this Winter. Our Ancestors never did agree or contemplate burying toxic waste in our territories. If burying toxic nuclear waste is the only acceptable option for the NWMO, it is something we do not condone. It is something we would never do to Mother Earth. Nuclear energy is not clean energy, it never has been. Its byproduct is toxic waste in the form of spent nuclear rods that Canada, Ontario, and the NWMO want to bury in our backyard!
Education is something the Anishinabek Nation views as life-long and that is why we held the Aboriginal and Treaty Rights Conference on February 12, held in Chippewas of Rama First Nation. The goal of the event was to educate our Anishinabek First Nations leadership with the basics of our rights, but more on treaty and Aboriginal rights and some history. The event was a great opportunity for leadership to ask pointed questions in an open and safe environment.
The Leadership Council held a strategic planning session in Chippewas of Rama that focussed on the future priorities within the Anishinabek Nation. Some of the issues raised were: Métis rights assertions, health transformation, nuclear waste transport, implementation of Ontario’s Bill 5, Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025, and Canada’s Bill C-5, One Canadian Economy Act, advocacy strategies, addictions crisis, class action supports, language revitalization, and housing/infrastructure. There was also a long discussion to ensure that our First Nations Leadership are prepared for the upcoming First Ministers Meeting. It is anticipated that the First Ministers Meeting will be held in the fall. While we have very limited information on the planning of the event, we are aware that not all First Nations Leadership will be able to attend. With that in mind, Grand Council Chief Debassige has been advocating for proper inclusion of Anishinabek Nation First Nations at the Chiefs of Ontario Leadership Council where the Ontario Regional Chief sits at the Assembly of First Nations Executive, who is organizing this event together with the National Chief. Ontario has the largest population of First Nations in this country and it is our view that our Nations ought to be properly represented.
It was acknowledged that when the First Ministers Conference was originally held, there was tremendous national collaboration and preparation completed by First Nation leadership that focussed on advancing Aboriginal rights and self government concepts. It was these discussions that led to the Treaty and Land Right frameworks that are utilized today.
Moving forward many years later, there is a disconnect on the scale of effort and preparation that must be undertaken when preparing for a First Minister’s Conference. There is concern about a fragmented Assembly of First Nations approach, which does not allow all regions equal meeting representation, ultimately, minimizing the voice of the Anishinabek Nation. Without clear priorities and tactics that align with community aspirations, the potential opportunity for further Constitutional amendments that expand and protect Treaty and Land Rights may be limited.
On the international stage, in March, Grand Council Chief Debassige will once again have the opportunity to bring forth our message to better understand joint priorities and identify opportunities for collaboration between First Nations and Tribes and municipalities in protecting our shared waters and otherwise advancing the organization’s strategic pillars. The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cites Initiative is a multinational coalition of municipal and Indigenous government executives, representing communities in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Region that is working to promote economic prosperity and protect our fresh water for the benefit of current and future generations. Water protection is mandated by our Chiefs-in-Assembly and is a top priority for many of our people and communities, and we have been advocating to amplify this messaging to those decision-makers around the Great Lakes Basin.
As the Spring approaches, we remember the ice storm of 2025, which resulted in several of our First Nations declaring a state of emergency. We need to remember emergencies can happen at any time and anywhere, and we need to be prepared. The Anishinabek Nation Emergency Management staff have been reaching out to our member First Nations to ensure they are prepared for any emergency that may happen in their territory. Funding is available for all member First Nations. Please reach out to our emergency management staff at the Anishinabek Nation Head Office to see how they can help you prepare.
We look forward to the warmer days ahead. If we don’t see you at the many gatherings and assemblies, we hope you all have a wonderful Spring in this time of renewal.