b'in areas such as additions to reserves, the process whereby a community expands their land base. The issue, as Regional Chief Benedict explains, is that communities looking to buy more land or receive land through land claim settlements must first go through an onerous process: To get that land from, say, provincial lands into community lands, on average, takes about 25 to 30 years. And so the challenge of that is, say your community buys 100 acres abutting to your community and wants to build homes on there, and wants to build community infrastructure and expand or build businesses, theyre challenged by the fact that its not reserved and the fact that the province has jurisdiction over [it].This provincial jurisdiction often comes with intrusive codes and bylaws, so Regional Chief Benedict hopes to find solutions in getting this land from non-reserve to reserve land faster. Its complicated because the province has a role, the federal government has a role, and several ministries within both of them have roles in this stuff too, he notes. But its a broken process that is hindering communities from expanding, hindering communities from developing. Every First Nation in the Ontario region has jurisdiction over their own affairs, including governance of community matters, territorial lands and resources. This is a priority of mine because a lot of our communities are in the north andspeak, for the Chiefs of Ontario, for the Regional Chief, and I a lot of our communities are in areas that the governmentacknowledge and respect those.and extractors view as an opportunity, he explains. And so communitys jurisdiction has to be respected. If they want toAs an organization, the Chiefs of Ontario hosts a number engage, yes; if they dont, then no. And how do we make sureof committees and regularly holds engagement sessions where that people are respecting the no. Regional Chief Benedict listens to whats being said. There Regional Chief Benedict stresses that while someare a lot of communities in our region who are doing some communities may want to work with mining developers toinnovative work around their jurisdiction and are getting the extract resources and create jobs, they also want to do so infederal government on board to support that. I want to make a way that is conducive to community and protecting thesure that Im complimenting and supporting that work that environment. The challenge with mining is that it comes fromtheyre doing. a system whereby explorers can now stake claims virtuallyCanada will also be going into a federal election at some on provincial Crown land, often next door to First Nations.point within the next year, and Regional Chief Benedict Regional Chief Benedict says this has led to hundreds ofknows that this will require building new relationships with claims across the north, from companies to explorers tothe next government. He plans on making sure that First illegitimate people. This has caused a big burden on ourNations priorities in the region are communicated to all parties communities because some companies are acting upon theiras theyre out campaigning. We have to remind them that claims, coming to the community saying we want to do thisour priorities are equally important as all Ontarians and all and that, and its created a situation where communities faceCanadians. So then, when the government does form, its my considerable strain on their resources to engage with thesejob to make sure that Im forming those relationships to be able companies. They must navigate environmental reviews, fulfillto continue to do the work that were doing now.engagement obligations and meet consultation requirements that those companies have. Earlier this year, the COO calledfora moratoriumon mining claims staked across the province, stating a more than 30-per-cent increase in claims staked in their territories. This also ties back to the issue of additions to reserve, says the Regional Chief, as claims staked on the land in question can further delay that process.While Regional Chief Benedict works together with diverse First Nations across Ontario to tackle these concerns,Join us in he stresses there are processes in place to ensure thatkeeping our own.For more information on everyones voices are heard and their needs met. We havebecoming a temporary our chiefs assemblies; they develop positions on differentcaregiver, please call us at 705-268-9033 or email at files, and those mandates or positions have existed priorinquiry@kunuwanimano.com kunuwanimano.comto me coming in. Those give the marching orders, so to I ssue1 2024/25C hIefs ofo ntarIoA dvocAte magazIne l 19'