THUNDER BAY – News – “The position of Nishnawbe Aski Nation remains firm,” said Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Grand Chief Yesno. “Whether it’s the Wynne government or the next, it is time for the government of Ontario to begin negotiations with our First Nations on treaty-wide resource revenue sharing so development can proceed in the north. The Premier must be committed to Ontario and First Nations to address treaty and aboriginal rights, and bring forward resource revenue sharing, equity and benefits for all of us.”

NAN – Future of any Premier in Ontario may hinge on decisions

“The Premier of Ontario needs to kick-start the Ontario economy and improve the future prospects for all Ontarians. It’s not a mystery to anyone in government – the lands and resources required to generate wealth for the future of Ontario are going to come out of the remote north – our treaty territories,” said NAN Grand Chief Harvey Yesno. “The future of any Premier in Ontario may hinge on how they choose to proceed with resource and economic development in the remote north; and NAN First Nations are anticipating those discussions.”

Grand Chief Harvey Yesno expects results from the new Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne as she was officially sworn into her office today at Queen’s Park in Toronto. “Now that the Ontario Liberal Party has completed their leadership selection process, it is time to get down to business in the north. The James Bay Treaty No. 9 and the Ontario portions of Treaty No. 5 covers two-thirds of Ontario, and NAN First Nations expect results from the Ontario government – in order to bring economic growth and prosperity to Ontario from the remote north – benefiting all Ontarians with investments, opportunities, jobs, infrastructure and business that are all much needed in this province”.

“Potential economic barriers such as the Far North Act must also be addressed, and movement on First Nations agreements and opportunities in the Ring of Fire are essential to Ontario’s future economic growth,” said Grand Chief Yesno in Thunder Bay this afternoon.