The remote First Nation community of Webequie has appointed Michael Fox as its Ring of Fire senior director.
As president of a Thunder Bay consulting firm, his job will be to negotiate on Webequie's behalf toward signing partnership agreements with the mining companies operating in the James Bay lowlands.
In an Aug. 29 release, Chief Cornelius Wabasse said Fox has the skill, experience and knowledge of Aboriginal law in driving a community-based approach in the participation and engagement process.
“His strategic thinking, business acumen, and community focus will definitely be an asset for Webequie as it continues to develop its role in the Ring of Fire.”
Webequie is 540 kilometres north of Thunder Bay with a population of more than 700. It is the closest community to the chromite discoveries in the James Bay region.
Fox said the release of mining project descriptions by Cliffs Natural Resources and Noront Resources to the various government agencies triggers a legal process that formalizes Webequie's engagement with all parties.
“We will be assembling our negotiation team and executing our community-based strategy with both companies in the very near future,” said Fox in a statement. “We will also be engaging with Marten Falls First Nation at a council-to-council level for the mine site developments. And we definitely look forward to continued discussions with regional First Nations on infrastructure corridor initiatives.”
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