Bruce Achneepineskum

Message from the Chief

Bruce Achneepineskum

On behalf of Marten Falls First Nation Council

Boozhoo,

Marten Falls First Nation members have always aspired to connect our remote northern community to the Ontario provincial highway network and the rest of Ontario. Our vision is to build a sustainable and thriving community in the north. After years of effort, we are excited to say we are closer to making our dreams a reality by reaching an important milestone—the delivery of the Draft Environmental Assessment / Impact Statement for our Community Access Road.

The Community Access Road is more than infrastructure; it's about securing a better future for our people. For many years, Marten Falls First Nation has faced extreme challenges that not only make it difficult day-to-day but oftentimes can lead to life threatening situations. From state of emergencies in education, housing shortages and boil water advisories to mental health crises in our young population and increasingly staggering costs of food, we have taken matters into our own hands to transform our community.

With year-round access from the Community Access Road, we will have stable and dependable access to healthcare, education and social services, ensuring that our community members receive the support they need. It will also open up new economic opportunities, lift community members out of poverty and lower the freight cost of goods. By improving transportation links, we can attract investment, create jobs and foster sustainable growth that respects our traditions and values.

Moreover, the Community Access Road will allow family members to visit one another more regularly and allow our members to return home. It will also strengthen our connections with other First Nations, fostering collaboration, relationships and mutual support.
I urge all First Nations to recognize the profound importance of the Community Access Road and to support its timely and successful completion. It is not just a path to progress; it is a testament to our resilience, our vision for the future and our commitment to the well-being of our people.

Our community looks forward to continuing this conversation with you on next steps in the Environmental Assessment / Impact Assessment process and on further advancing our vision and development goals. We appreciate and thank you for your support and dedication to this crucial initiative so we can continue reaching our dreams of a bright and prosperous future for Marten Falls First Nation.

Miigwetch,

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Preferred Route

The Draft Environmental Assessment / Impact Statement Report is almost ready for review and comment by Indigenous communities, the public and regulators. The Draft Environmental Assessment / Impact Statement, and supporting documents, describe how the preferred route was selected, and identify how the proposed Community Access Road may affect the social, cultural, economic and natural environment.

Your input to these important planning documents is invaluable, and we want to make sure you have plenty of notice in advance of the release of the Draft Environmental Assessment / Impact Statement, and the documents that are included in it.

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Understanding Project Effects and Mitigation

Part of the Environmental Assessment / Impact Assessment process involves investigating valued components that fall into three categories: water, land and people. With Indigenous Knowledge and western science, the assessment process considers the potential effects of the Community Access Road on people and the existing environment and identifies ways to prevent or mitigate these effects.

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We Want To Hear From You!

Contact us if you have any questions, comments or would like to sign-up for the mailing list.

Contact the Community Access Road Team directly at
eaisinput@martenfallsaccessroad.ca

If you require a Marten Falls First Nation Community Access Road Draft Environmental Assessment/Impact Statement document in an alternate format or are in need of communications support, please submit a request by calling our telephone numbers below:

  • 1-800-764-9114 Toll-Free Number

Once your request is received, our team will contact you to provide you with additional information on when you can expect a response, based on the document and format you are requesting.

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