Skip to content Ontario.ca Français

For Immediate Release
April 20, 2007

News Release

RAMSAY MEETS WITH NORTHERN FIRST NATION CHIEF

Progress Being Made Under Land and Larger Land Base Framework Agreement

---

THUNDER BAY — David Ramsay, Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, met today with Chief Paul Gladu to discuss issues of mutual interest, including progress on the process of creating a reserve for the Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek.

“Through our cooperative approach we can claim progress on our shared goal of a healthier, sustainable future for the people of Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek,” said Ramsay.

“On behalf of the membership of Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek, our goal for our community is to develop economic opportunities in the areas of value added forestry and tourism, while also fostering partnership opportunities with the government of Ontario, neighbouring First Nations and municipalities, and the private sector. We see this visit as an important first step in moving forth our agenda and vision of creating a model community,” said Chief Gladu.

The Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek reserve creation process builds on the 1991 Land and Larger Land Base Framework Agreement signed by the Province of Ontario, Canada and several Robinson Superior Treaty First Nations. This agreement provided a process whereby the signatories agreed to use their best efforts to negotiate and conclude agreements to either provide a reserve land base for landless signatory First Nations or expand the size of existing reserve land bases of signatory First Nations. Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek currently does not have a land base and anticipates the establishment of a reserve community on the eastern shore of Lake Nipigon, approximately 150 km northeast of Thunder Bay, in the near future.

The McGuinty government is committed to promoting prosperity and well-being across Northern Ontario.

---

Anne-Marie Flanagan
Minister Ramsay’s Office
416-327-0654