Originally published in Canadian Geographic
24 August 2017
Sandhill cranes stand preening in the sedge-covered fens. Their bugling calls merge with the clamour of vast goose colonies that carpet the peatlands with motion. More remote by some measures than many parts of the Arctic, the James Bay Lowlands, at the southern tip of Hudson Bay, are at their most phenomenal in spring when they are overwhelmed with bird life. Fens and untreed muskeg full of sphagnum moss alternate to form a mottled pattern of string bog.
This wetland landscape houses the area now known as the Ring of Fire, 400 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay and 300 kilometres from the nearest paved road. Here, mineral exploration has uncovered some of the largest discoveries in Canadian history. With the potential to yield $60 billion worth of nickel, chromite and other minerals, the deposits are substantial enough to support mining operations for a hundred years. The Ontario government has pledged $1 billion toward infrastructure — mainly in the form of a road to the area — to encourage the mining industry.
Wildlife Conservation Society Canada to release information hub on the largest peatland in North America
A growing demand for “critical minerals” may put one of the largest carbon sinks in the world at risk. A new hub will look at all the values at play in the Ring of Fire in Canada.
There will be no environmental shortcuts taken in the Ring of Fire, says federal minister
Facing down governments and industry, this First Nation makes a promise: There’ll be no development in the Ring of Fire without its consent
Minister Guilbeault: Respect all Treaty 9 peoples’ relationship to the watershed! (ft. Chief Wayne Moonias)
“Today’s part of the Treaty Peoples’ Briefing comes from Chief Wayne Moonias, of Neskantaga First Nation. In this video, Chief Wayne talks about how integral the river system is to all communities in Treaty 9, and how interconnected these neighbouring communities really are.”