Young filmmaker leading effort to show Ring of Fire not on empty land

ATTAWAPISKAT - A young filmmaker is leading a powerful effort to show the world that the Ring of Fire is not empty land.

In response to Bill 5, Attawapiskat’s Jeronimo Kataquapit has launched Here We Stand. It’s a campaign inviting people to join him and his family in planting community flags and tipi poles along the Attawapiskat River to mark their presence and protect the land from development being pushed by new provincial and federal legislation.

“We keep hearing government and industry saying that nobody uses the land up there anymore — so, according to them, developing the Ring of Fire should have minimal impact on First Nations,” Kataquapit said in a news release. 

“We’re going to go up and down the river for maybe 20 kilometres on both sides from where the Muketei and Attawapiskat Rivers meet, leave a mark and make our presence known.”

Supported by Mushkegowuk Council, Here We Stand is a direct response to Ontario’s recently passed Bill 5 — the Protecting Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act — and the federal government’s proposed National Interest legislation, which together aim to fast-track resource development projects while reducing environmental protections and emphasizing consultation over consent.

“Ontario’s Bill 5 and Canada’s proposed National Interest legislation are going to destroy the land, pollute the water, stomp all over our treaty rights, our inherent rights, our laws, and our ways of life,” Kataquapit said.

Two weeks ago in Timmins, Indigenous youth led a protest opposing the legislation that attracted over a hundred people.

Chants of "Kill Bill 5" frequently broke out during the peaceful demonstration in front of city hall, where youth shared their message and elders encouraged their efforts.

SEE: 'It’s going to affect everybody': Youth fight to kill Bill 5

The campaign invites participation not only from Attawapiskat residents, but also from neighbouring Mushkegowuk Nations and Neskantaga First Nation, which lies further upriver at Attawapiskat Lake. 

Kataquapit and his parents plan to travel by boat along the river, planting visual markers that reclaim and affirm the territory as Indigenous land, a message to governments and developers that the land is not empty, and it is not up for grabs.

“We have to get as many people up the river as we possibly can,” said Kataquapit.

Mushkegowuk Council Grand Chief Leo Friday voiced full support for the initiative.

“Our lands, water, and future are being threatened, and Ontario and Canada are introducing laws that violate our inherent Aboriginal and Treaty rights,” Friday said in a release.

SEE: Bill 5 amendments don't address 'true issue', says grand chief

Those wishing to join the effort, support the campaign, or learn more can contact Kataquapit at herewestand@grassroots2025.com.