NAN Chiefs Reject Building Canada Strong Act

APITIPI ANICINAPEK NATION: Leaders from across Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) stood united today in defence of their Treaty and inherent rights, and jurisdiction over their traditional territories, as federal legislation introduced this week, the Building Canada Strong Act, that threatens the very way of life for the people of Nishnawbe Aski by fast-tracking resource development:

“Our Chiefs are watching the Carney government’s legislative agenda with growing alarm. Bill C-5 was a direct attack on our rights, and Bill C-39 elevates this to an unprecedented level. This government is making clear and deliberate choices to accelerate development at the expense of the rights of our Nations and our leaders have responded with equal clarity: consent is the path to certainty, and NAN First Nations will not be ignored.

Our communities support responsible development, but it must be done in a good way. They are prepared to be partners, owners, builders and stewards of nation-building projects if and when they have provided free, prior and informed consent, in accordance with Treaty No. 9 and Treaty No. 5, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, and Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution. What they oppose is unilaterally imposed legislation that systematically removes them from the decisions about their territories. That is not nation-building – it is the same failed colonial approach that places Canada’s economic interests above the lives of our people.

Our leaders have made it clear that projects built in partnership will have their full support. Projects that bypass First Nations will be strongly opposed. They have given us a strong mandate to work with First Nation rights-holders on every appropriate avenue to oppose this Bill – legal, political, and land-based – and to seek amendments that would bring this legislation into compliance with UNDRIP and the honour of the Crown.

We will not accept this legislation as it stands. The Prime Minister must understand that our Treaties are not red tape, and our rights are not obstacles to development. Our Nations made sacred agreements with the Crown and have always honoured them. They expect our federal Treaty partner to do the same.”

NAN will work with the Chiefs of Ontario and the Assembly of First Nations to ensure that the priorities of our communities are properly reflected in the final agenda and discussions at the First Nations-First Ministers’ Meeting (FNFMM) scheduled for October 26, 2026, on unceded Algonquin territory in Ottawa. The consent-based partnership model that our Chiefs have mandated must be a priority outcome of this meeting. Anything less is not reconciliation, it is imposition.

For more information please contact:
Michael Heintzman,
Director of Communications
Cell: (807) 621-2790
mheintzman@nan.ca