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Several First Nations from Ring of Fire region demand meeting with Premier Doug Ford

Indigenous Affairs Minister Greg Rickford offered to go in Ford's stead, but that offer was rebuffed by the First Nations.

Published Sep 27, 2023 at 12:36pm

The Canadian Press
By
The Canadian Press
Several First Nations from Ring of Fire region demand meeting with Premier Doug Ford
Members of the Land Defence Alliance, left to right, Chief Rudy Turtle of Grassy Narrows First Nation, Sol Mamakwa MPP, Elder Alex Moonias from Neskantaga First Nation and Cecilia Begg from Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation hold a press conference at Queen's Park in Toronto on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. (Carlos Osorio/The Canadian Press)

Leaders of several First Nations from the Ring of Fire region in northern Ontario demanded a meeting with Doug Ford at the legislature on Tuesday, saying they needed to discuss concerns over possible mining in their territories – but the premier refused their request. 

Indigenous Affairs Minister Greg Rickford offered to go in Ford's stead, but that offer was rebuffed by the First Nations.

"We refuse to meet with Rickford, we want to meet with Doug Ford directly," Neskantaga First Nation Chief Chris Moonias said on the front lawn of Queen's Park.

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