On Monday November 15, 2021, Grassy Narrows First Nation launched a legal action against Ontario for its failure to consult Grassy Narrows on nine mining exploration permits. Between 2018 and 2021, Ontario issued the permits without taking any steps to consult Grassy Narrows. The permits allow for early exploration mining activities on Grassy Narrows’ Territory.
Since launching the judicial review application, the litigation has been reported on in local and national news:
Grassy Narrows is committed to protecting their Territory and taking steps to implement the Grassy Narrows Land Declaration which bars mining and logging on the Territory.
"We are on a healing path for our people and the forest is our treatment center,” said Grassy Narrows Chief Randy Fobister. “We need our forest intact, but the government isn't working with us, they are working against us. They need to stop logging and mining so the land can heal. Good land will heal our people from all the damage the government has been pushing on us like mercury and industry. That is reconciliation for us. Let us use our land to heal.”
Cavalluzzo LLP with the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) is representing Grassy Narrows in this litigation.