Indigenous Group: Chippewas of Saugeen and Chippewas of Nawash First Nations

Business: Ontario Power Generation (OPG)

Issue: Ongoing deposits of low- and intermediate-level nuclear waste in Saugeen Ojibway Nation territory

Comment: The leadership of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) have fought for over ten years to ensure the voice of their Communities would be heard

Latest Updates: August 23, 2017 – In a significant expression of support for free, prior, and informed consent of Indigenous Peoples in Canada, the environmental assessment process for OPG’s proposed Deep Geologic Repository (DGR) for low- and intermediate-level nuclear waste has been halted until the Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) has made an informed decision on whether to support the project Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change has requested more data that hinges on the outcome of SON’s community-driven decision-making process, Anishnaabekiing, Anishnaabe Inwewin, Anishnaabe Naaknigewin – Our Territory, Our Voice, Our Decisions.

“The commitment from OPG secured our right to consent on the DGR Project, but our People have maintained that our right to free, prior and informed consent must also be recognized by the Crown. This has finally happened,” said Chief Lester Anoquot of Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation. “This is a victory we share with all Indigenous Peoples fighting similar battles to have their right to consent respected.”