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From the Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal  

Chiefs study road network

JIM KELLY - 04/01/2010 

The early closure of winter roads this year is having severe repercussions on remote First Nation communities, the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Winter Chiefs Assembly heard Wednesday.

Winter roads, that allow economical shipment of goods to communities that normally only available by air, are usually opened into April. But the unseasonable winter means the temporary routes are already closed.

People, goods and equipment are moved into and between Northern Ontario‘s remote First Nations on the roads, that help reduce travel and transportation costs for residents and business activities.

Without them, the cost of goods rises dramatically, the assembly was told.

“The majority of our communities were not able to use the winter roads to bring in bulk fuel and materials for housing and other goods,” said Wawakapewin First Nation Chief Joshua Frogg. The First Nation of 55 residents is north of Pickle Lake.

“We can‘t do anything about the weather, but we can improve the road network and build on high ground or put permanent bridges on some of the crossings,” he said.

If First Nations are inaccessible, Frogg said, costs for goods increase between 100 and 150 per cent, he said.

Frogg said every First Nation community in Northern Ontario was affected by the deterioration of winter roads.

Another key item on the agenda was the federal government‘s response to funding demands by First Nations.

Frogg said the government provided $2.5 million to 27 First Nations north of Sioux Lookout to offset the costs of bringing in fuel.

“That is not enough,” Frogg said. “And also there‘s no guarantee to assist with bringing in housing materials and other supplies.”

Approaching the government to ask for more funding has resulted in little or no progress, he said.

NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy said costs have tripled because of the breakdown of winter roads.

“If there‘s no subsidy to offset those costs, it comes from their program dollars that are supposed to be directed to projects.”

He said winter roads should be aligned to high ground and eventually converted to all-weather roads.

Beardy admitted it will involve a major expense, but said it‘s worth the investment.

“If we‘re going to open up the North, infrastructure is required,” he said.

Beardy said investments will also have to be made in energy and telecommunications.

“What we‘re telling the government is we want to be part of the economy so we‘re very keen on working with outside third parties.”

Beardy said both the federal and provincial governments are short on financial support for First Nations.

“First Nations are living in a very potentially rich land with precious metals, and we‘re saying if the North does open, how do we ensure that we benefit,” Beardy said.

Winter roads are particularly important for Kashechewan First Nation on the shores of James Bay.

The seasonal James Bay winter road connects Attawapiskat, Kashechewan, Fort Albany, Moosonee and Moose Factory. The Ontario Northland Railway runs south from Moosonee to Cochrane.

Kashechewan Chief Jonathon Solomon said because the winter road was closed early, his community was unable to move all the fuel required for a key summer project.

“We barely had enough to fill our tanks for our main buildings,” he said.

Solomon said all-season road discussions are ongoing.

“We did the first phase of finding out what people want and a majority of them said they wanted an all-season road.”

He said the second phase is to determine the best route for the road.