b"50 YEARSprotested the bill and the infringement of First Nations inherent and Treaty Rights. Idle No More started to sew a thread of unity around the ideology that leadership generally would have a responsibility to protect the lands and territories of which we were entrusted to speak for as elected First Nation officials, said Day, who was Serpent River First Nations Chief at the time. For Day, one of the lasting impacts of Idle No More surrounded the innova-tive use of social media throughout the movement: It was a new way in which the First Nation agenda and our policieswould have a platform to unify. And to hold governments accountable. Signage surrounding the Mohawk Land defenders camp in Kanesatake, Que., during the Oka Crisis. July 1, 1990.Responsibility to the land is a(Credit: Peter Power / Toronto Star via the Toronto Public Library.)cornerstone of First Nations culture andimpacts this will have on First NationsLinda Debassige told the CBC, We will heritage. Today, those responsibilities arejurisdiction surrounding their territoriescontinue to assert our jurisdiction in the more urgent than ever. In the politicaland natural resources. Nishnawbe Askiface of any legislation that seeks to erase climate and the geopolitical climate thatNation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler toldor ignore governments constitutional were in . theres a huge emphasis onreporters at a May debate in Queens Park resource extraction in our region, saysthat the bill is seen as a direct attack onobligations to us as treatypartners.Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict.our nation, on our Treaty. The expansions of resource extrac-On April 17, Ontario Premier Dougtion in Ontario threatens fundamental Ford presented Bill 5, Protect Ontario byOne of the areas considered a priorityFirst Nations values and ways of being. Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025. Thefor mining and resource developmentIn Anishinaabe teachings, you never take bill is the governments response to theis the Ring of Fire, a mineral-rich areamore then you need, and the resources ongoing tariff war with the United States.north of Thunder Bay. Several Firstfrom the land are gifts from Mother For Ford and his government, protectingNations located near the Ring of FireEarth. These teachings ensured the land Ontarios economy means develop- have expressed concerns over the yearscontinued to thrive for many generations. ment and extraction. The proposed billsurrounding their Aboriginal and Treaty would impact several other pieces ofRights to protect the environment. FirstThe connection that our people have legislation, such as the Mining Act andNations leaders across the province areto the land, and I think relationship and the Environmental Protection Act. Firstcurrently responding to the omnibusthat jurisdiction, is given to us by our Nations leaders, along with a host of civilbill on behalf of their communities.teachings, by the Creator, says Regional society groups, are concerned about theAnishinabek Nation Grand Council ChiefChiefBenedict. ENAGB INDIGENOUS 1st AnnualYOUTH AGENCYS Cultural Festival & Competition PowwowHonouring theVoices of the Future Our members power Ontario communities by operating and maintaining nuclear, hydroelectric, gas, wind and May 23-24, 2026 biomass generating stations. They then ensure this energy makes it to your home through sustaining and repairing Ontario's transmission and distribution lines, at all times of the day, and in all weather conditions.Woodbine Park - Toronto, Ontario The PWUs main focus is fair representation, and we do that through listening and engaging in open dialogue to learn how we can make our communities better for future generations.We are here,at the service of people,The Boyz - Twin Cities of JoiningMinnesota Battle Nation -in harmony with the land. us: Thunder Bay, OntarioArtist: Jared TaitFOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT OUR WEBSITEwww.pwu.ca* SAVE THE DATE To become a sponsor, volunteer, to host a special or to inquireFOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIAas a food/artist booth, please email: powwow@enagb-iya.ca. @PWUConnectsNo phone calls will be taken at this time24l I ssue1 2025C hIefs ofo ntarIoA dvocAte magazIne"