The MPP for Kiiwetinoong is concerned with provincial plans for the Ring of Fire in northern Ontario.
The mining project is expected to be front and centre for Sol Mamakwa when the Ontario legislature resumes sitting next week.
He says, “This government. They are not friends of Indigenous people. What they do care about is the resources that are in the lands and the waters in our traditional territories and I think that is all part of the oppression, the colonialism, the racism that exists within the system.”
Mamakwa stresses the province has not consulted properly with First Nations and in order for the government to make money off their lands, they have to be part of the discussion.
He adds, “We have to understand I’m not supposed to be here as a First Nations person. The system was never built for us. I do try and speak up on those things and if I was a person with letters in front of their names or if I was white, they probably would listen to me.”
The massive mining project is talked about in the Ontario budget and that will be one of the items expected to be passed during the rare summer session.
The Legislature will convene August 8, at which point a speaker will be elected.
Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell will deliver the Speech from the Throne on August 9.
