Partnership commits $39.5M to infrastructure, services, and Indigenous-led development in Northern Ontario
THUNDER BAY – INDIGENOUS BUSINESS NEWS UPDATE — A new chapter in the economic and environmental future of Northern Ontario is underway.
In a landmark moment for both reconciliation and regional development, Webequie First Nation and the Province of Ontario have signed a Community Partnership Agreement that will unlock long-awaited access to the Ring of Fire mineral region.
The deal provides $39.5 million in direct support to Webequie and paves the way for the construction of the Webequie Supply Road, a proposed all-season route to one of Canada’s most significant untapped sources of critical minerals.
A Path Forward on First Nations’ Terms…
Partnership commits $39.5M to infrastructure, services, and Indigenous-led development in Northern Ontario
THUNDER BAY – INDIGENOUS BUSINESS NEWS UPDATE — A new chapter in the economic and environmental future of Northern Ontario is underway.
In a landmark moment for both reconciliation and regional development, Webequie First Nation and the Province of Ontario have signed a Community Partnership Agreement that will unlock long-awaited access to the Ring of Fire mineral region.
The deal provides $39.5 million in direct support to Webequie and paves the way for the construction of the Webequie Supply Road, a proposed all-season route to one of Canada’s most significant untapped sources of critical minerals.
A Path Forward on First Nations’ Terms
“This road is more than infrastructure—it’s about access, opportunity, and growth on our terms,” said Chief Cornelius Wabasse of Webequie First Nation during the announcement. “This agreement reflects our commitment to lead development that supports our people, honours our way of life, and creates long-term benefits for generations to come.”
This Agreement reaffirms a government-to-government relationship grounded in mutual respect, partnership, and shared benefit. It supports ongoing efforts to enhance community well-being and prosperity, the protection of WFN’s way of life, critical infrastructure and economic development, including opportunities in the Ring of Fire. The planning for critical infrastructure is being undertaken in alignment with Webequie First Nation’s three-tier model (Kanisso Pittawa Attayk Onakoooniskin), which protects traditional areas and ways of life while guiding responsible, sustainable, and equitable development.
Chief Cornelius Wabasse, adds “For over a decade, we’ve worked to build cooperative relationships with industry and government, strengthening understanding of our community’s priorities and shaping more principled, respectful approaches to development in our territory. While this work continues, we remain proactive and ready to partner in good faith. We are focused on infrastructure that strengthens community resilience, health, and self-reliance enabling us to invest in our people and our future on our terms.”
Development of the WSR has been a community-driven effort. Visioning began more than seven years ago and has been guided by the knowledge and guidance of Elders, who emphasized that any development must:
- Protect the total well-being of the community
- Respect the land and cultural values
- Create long-term economic benefits for youth, families, and future generations
Premier Doug Ford, Minister Greg Rickford, and Chief Wabasse formalized the agreement in Toronto on October 29, marking a decade of dialogue and cooperation between the province and the remote northern Ojibway community.
What the Agreement Delivers
$39.5 million in funding for:
Community infrastructure
Mental health and social supports
A new indoor multi-use centre for youth, recreation, and cultural gatherings
Airport upgrades to enhance regional access
Early work materials and job creation for the Webequie Supply Road
Commitment to submit the final Environmental Assessment for the road by January 2026
Targeted construction start: June 2026, pending regulatory approvals and federal cooperation
Ontario and Webequie will co-develop a governance model to guide road planning, development, and maintenance, with respect to both environmental stewardship and land-based rights.
Ring of Fire: A Critical Mineral Opportunity
Located 500 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay, the Ring of Fire region holds strategic deposits of nickel, cobalt, copper, and other critical minerals essential to clean energy technologies like electric vehicles and batteries.
For Indigenous communities, these minerals offer not only economic potential—but also sovereignty over how development unfolds.
Minister Rickford emphasized that this agreement is about more than roads:
“We are writing the next important chapter of First Nations economic reconciliation. In partnership, we’re positioning Ontario as a global leader in sustainable mineral development.”
Regional Significance: Webequie as a Northern Hub
North Star Air PC 12 in Webequie First Nation
Webequie First Nation, located on Eastwood Island in Winisk Lake, sits about 540 km north of Thunder Bay and is currently only accessible by air, water, or winter road.
This agreement not only upgrades Webequie Airport to serve as a regional hub—it also opens the door to future all-season road links connecting the community to the rest of Ontario.
The road and airport will act as critical infrastructure for future development, emergency response, and inter-community access.
🤝 Reconciliation in Action
This deal follows a similar Shared Prosperity Agreement signed with Aroland First Nation earlier this year and signals a broader shift in how Ontario engages with Indigenous nations on major resource projects.
Webequie’s leadership in both the environmental assessment and road planning ensures that any future development reflects the Nation’s values, needs, and vision.
🔍 Quick Facts
Ontario is investing $3.1 billion in Indigenous equity and economic partnerships for critical minerals and infrastructure.
Webequie First Nation is a signatory to Treaty 9 and is a key community in the Ring of Fire region.
The Ring of Fire spans 8,000 square kilometres and is seen as one of the most promising sources of battery minerals in North America.
The province recently invested $61.8 million in Geraldton to upgrade road infrastructure, creating a southern gateway to the Ring of Fire.
The Takeaway for Northern Ontario
This partnership represents a turning point in Indigenous-led development in Northern Ontario. With meaningful control, major investment, and a clear path to implementation, Webequie First Nation is asserting its place as a leader in shaping the economic future of the North—on its own terms.
META Description: Ontario and Webequie First Nation sign a historic $39.5M partnership to build road access to the Ring of Fire.
TAG Words: Webequie First Nation, Ring of Fire, Indigenous news, Ontario government, Doug Ford, Chief Cornelius Wabasse, Greg Rickford, Indigenous infrastructure, First Nations reconciliation, Northern Ontario, all-season road, critical minerals, Indigenous economic development, Thunder Bay news, Treaty 9