![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1766563533_860_default.jpg\")
Lashaunda Waswa, Neskantaga First Nation’s youngest band councillor, is seen in this photo taken in Thunder Bay, Ont., on Wednesday. The 21-year-old says she wants to inspire the community’s next generation to protect its traditional territory. (Sarah Law\/CBC)<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, several other First Nations<\/a>, including Neskantaga, have pushed back against development projects, citing concerns about recent legislation which aims to fast-track approvals, such as Bill 5<\/a> and the One Project, One Process Framework.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Waswa says her family taught her about the land\u2019s significance, where they would hunt, fish and carry out traditional teachings and practices.<\/p>\n Once she became more involved in discussions about the Ring of Fire, \u201cit really opened my eyes to how much I really want to protect those lands,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n The exploration camp is run by PTX Metals Inc. for the company\u2019s proposed W2 Project, which is targeting copper-nickel, platinum group elements, gold and cobalt.<\/p>\n LISTEN | First Nation serves mining company in Ring of Fire with cease and desist:<\/p>\n 7:10First Nation serves mining company in Ring of Fire with cease and desist<\/p>\n Neskantaga First Nation has served a cease and desist letter to a mining company in the Ring of Fire region. Sarah Law joined Jonathan to talk about the First Nation\u2019s concerns as the push for development in northern Ontario continues.\u00a0<\/p>\n According to Neskantaga\u2019s Chief Gary Quisses, his First Nation never consented to the exploration activities taking place, which he says have escalated in recent weeks.<\/p>\n \u201cWe never gave you permission to come and take our resources, test our resources, what we have,\u201d he told CBC News, recalling his message to the workers at the camp. \u201cThat’s our harvesting area, our home and ancestral lands.\u201d<\/p>\n Neskantaga\u2019s action comes ahead of two major developments anticipated on Thursday:<\/p>\n Mining company, province respond<\/p>\n A spokesperson for PTX Metals Inc. provided an emailed statement to CBC News on Wednesday, saying exploration is in the early stages and that it\u2019s received all the required permits.\u00a0<\/p>\n As well, they say the company respects and values its relationships with First Nations and \u201chas worked productively and collaboratively with local communities over the past four years, involving them in the early stage exploration activities, community engagement initiatives, and permitting processes in a respectful and transparent manner.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPTX has reached out to the chief [Quisses] again and looks forward to meeting face-to-face with community leadership in the near future,\u201d it continues.<\/p>\n CBC News also reached out to the province about Neskantaga\u2019s concerns that they haven\u2019t been consulted on the mining exploration that\u2019s underway.<\/p>\n Ontario\u2019s Ministry of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation provided an emailed statement on Wednesday, saying \u201cour government has been clear: no legislation eliminates our duty to consult.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe remain committed to this duty and we look forward to continuing to work, on a government-to-government basis, to address community priorities and build consensus on shared opportunities,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n \u2018We live in third-world conditions\u2019<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1766563533_398_default.jpg\")
Neskantaga First Nation’s Chief Gary Quisses is seen in this image from a video he says was taken Tuesday, when community members served a cease-and-desist letter to PTX Metals Inc. at its mining exploration camp in the Ring of Fire region. (From video submitted by Gary Quisses)<\/p>\n