The access road and the Ring of Fire project have the support of two First Nations communities in the region. Marten Falls First Nation and Webequie First Nation were represented by their chiefs at the announcement that followed a traditional smudging ceremony; a signing ceremony was held afterwards by both chiefs, the premier and the minister.

“Our First Nations are trusted partners,” Ford said, noting that the government also intends to put in place broadband infrastructure to further support and connect the region. In October, the government announced an investment of $30 million in the Matawa broadband project, which will provide modern and scalable telecommunication services to five Matawa First Nations: Nibinamik, Neskantaga, Eabametoong, Marten Falls and Webequie.

The Northern Road Link would run along the North-South Corridor of the proposed Ring of Fire mining site, connecting to the proposed Marten Falls Community Access Road at the south end, and to the proposed Webequie Supply Road at the north.

The Ring of Fire site, located approximately 500 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay and covering about 5,000 square kilometres, is estimated to have multigenerational potential for chromite production, as well as for nickel, copper and platinum. The chromium extracted from chromite is used in chrome plating and alloying for production of corrosion-resistant superalloys, nichrome and stainless steel.

The government is evidently committed to building the access road and providing the broadband infrastructure regardless of whether the Ring of Fire project comes to fruition. A number of environmental assessments are still underway, said Rickford. And six remaining Matawa First Nations in Treaty 9, plus one First Nation in Robinson-Superior that is not a signatory to this treaty, have not yet given their support.