REGIONAL FRAMEWORK UPDATE

April 24, 2014 - Matawa member First Nation Chiefs, The Honourable Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario, and Provincial dignitaries at media conference during the Commemoration ceremonies.

Opening ceremonies, Commemoration.

Chief Peter Moonias, Neskantaga First Nation, speaking at media conference.

Ontario and Matawa Member First Nations Celebrate Historic Framework for Negotiations on the Ring of Fire

Chiefs at head table during ceremonies.

Community members attend Commemoration.

Matawa First Nations want to ensure that resource development, including the associated infrastructure, is sustainable and that negative environmental impacts are mitigated.

Under the Regional Strategy process, the First Nations will negotiate an Environmental Assessment (EA) process with Ontario. The Negotiated EA will include meaningful First Nation participation, consultation, decision making and will consider the accumulated impacts of more than one development. It will also include the social and cultural impacts of development.

Main Table

Negotiated Environmental Assessment Process

Structure

The main table is comprised of the Matawa First Nations Negotiating Team and the OntarioNegotiating Team. The Matawa First Nations Negotiating Team receives direction from the Chiefs Council, which brings forward the instructions from their communities.

Technical Teams and Advisors

Community FoundationThe Chief and Council and a Community Negotiation Committee will consult with local community groups and members and will give direction to the Regional Strategy Negotiating Team.

Experts, legal advisors and community members will help formulate options and provide advice on the three regional pillars to the Negotiating Team.

The Traditional Territories of the Matawa First Nations are rich in minerals, precious metals, and many other valuable resources. The Matawa communities are currently experiencing an unprecedented surge in resource development activity, especially in the areas of mining and mineral exploration. The First Nations will also undergo extensive infrastructure development including transportation, energy and telecommunications.

In order to ensure that their communities receive maximum benefit from the development of resources and infrastructure, the Matawa First Nations have united to address regional matters in a Community Driven Regional Strategy Negotiation process.

Chief Johnny Yellowhead, Nibinamik First Nation, and Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario, signing the Commemoration document.

Premier Wynne, and Ginoogaming First Nation youth Tori Taylor cut cake for Commemoration.

A Regional Approach to Development

Process1. The Framework Agreement will contain all the topics to be discussed at the Negotiation Table and include a set of guiding principles, a funding regime and goals and objectives. Each community will ratify the Framework Agreement by Band Council Resolution.

2. The Negotiation Stage will work out the details of the topics from the Framework Agreement. Each community will ratify the agreements made at the Negotiating Table.

3. Implementation Stage will be the ratification ofagreements from the negotiations will be implemented by First Nations.

First Nation AgreementsIndividual community agreements and processes

will be respected throughout the Regional Strategy Negotiations.

Next Steps1. Budgets and workplans for technical, legal, coordination, community consultations.

2. Community-driven consultation process to provide input and directions.

3. Studies i.e. socio-economic, education, health, infrastructure, environmental, etc.

4. Economic Development strategies, Community infrastructure and Regional infrastructure.

The Regional Strategy Negotiation Process will be based on community decision making, meaningful First Nation participation,

consultation, and direction.

Community Driven

Regional PillarsLand ManagementEnvironmental Assessment and Environmental Monitoring, Regional Infrastructure planning including: transportation corridors and roads, energy and transmission lines, broadband and telecommunications

Capacity Building• First Nation community Health/Social Wellness • Skills, Training and Employment • Economic Development

Revenue Sharing• The sharing of mining taxes and royalty revenues.• Other economic benefits

For more information on the Community Driven Regional Strategy

please contact Matawa First Nations at 807.344.4575 or visit the www.matawa.on.ca

or contact the Ring of Fire Office:

Raymond Ferris Kathy BradyRing of Fire Coordinator Mining Advisor807.346.6523 807.346.6522rferris@matawa.on.ca kbrady@matawa.on.ca

Sabrina SutherlandAdministrative Assistant807.346.3661ssutherland@matawa.on.ca

“This is an item from the earth. This is how we are going to move forward in our working relationship. The minerals will be in the earth for a long time. The First Nation peoples will benefit forever. This young child will hopefully benefit from what is about to happen in our territories. We hope the development will benefit all of our communities. We look forward to having a good relationship with everybody and working together so we can all benefit.”

— Ananias Spence, Elder Webequie First Nation presenting sweet grass wreath to the Minister of Northern Development and Mines, and the Matawa Chiefs.

Signing of the Original Document

``As First Nations, we are mandated to be good stewards of the land. I pray that the government of Ontario and Federal government will recognize and honour what we say.”

- Chief Elizabeth Atlookan, Eabametoong First Nation

``We need to stand up for our lands and resources, we need to talk to our people. Our future generation can prosper with our land.”- Chief Johnny Yellowhead, Nibinamik First Nation

``This agreement allows for community participation. My Elders always remind me that development is going to change our way of life -That needs to be addressed first.”- Chief Sonny Gagnon, Aroland First Nation

“Now that we are a part of Matawa, we can help our sister communities. The youth that witnessed the signing - that moment will stay with them forever.”- Chief Celia Echum, Ginoogaming First Nation

“We are on our way to development. Our world is changing and our lives are changing. I think we are going to go a long way with the negotiating.”- Chief Fred Sackaney, Constance Lake First Nation

“We have accomplished something, and we are working together. Be proud to be Anishnawbe and be proud we are going to move on as a nation.”

- Chief Allen Towegishig, Long Lake #58 First Nation

“We are all very excited about the progress and are looking forward to working together for our children’s future.”-Acting Chief Roy Moonias, Neskantaga First Nation, signing on behalf of Chief Peter Moonias, Neskantaga First Nation

“It`s our Mother, our ground, we want to do the right thing. We don`t want to endanger the earth, we don`t want to harm the environment for our future children.``- Chief Eli Moonias, Marten Falls First Nation

``I know there is going to be challenges as we move forward. We hope we can stay strong and have the trust to move forward.”- Chief Cornelius Wabasse, Webequie First Nation

March 26, 2014 - Chiefs sign Regional Strategy Framework document in Thunder Bay, along with the Province of Ontario.