You're absolutly right. Last winter, Martin Falls FN and Wilderness North Air established a joint venture named Martin Falls Logistics to supply fuel and air service to the companies working in the Ring of Fire. They planned and built an airstrip next to the Muketei River for this purpose but the MNR closed that strip down, so now they're holding the ROF companies hostage and hopeing to force the government to re-open their air strip. They say they're upset at not being consulted in the development of the area, but I think the driving force behind it all is the MNR closing down the strip and shutting them out of being a major supplier of logistics to the area. They had big plans for a supply camp. They also want supplies to be shipped in on their toll winter roads and that wasn't happening with the ice strip open on Kopper Lake.

For the record, I support the First Nations efforts in getting involved in the area through their plans of building a supply base. I don't think the MNR was right in closing down their airstrip (I haven't heard the MNR side of the story) and I also don't agree with Marten Falls tactics (what's new)

http://www.northernontariobusiness.com/Industry-News/mining/First-Nation-pushes-back-against--Ring-of-Fire--mine,-rail-project-510.aspx

"Moonias said a meeting is scheduled next week with government officials and some mining players in Marten Falls. He wants the mining companies to use their winter toll roads to haul fuel and bulk items, and for the government to allow them to finish construction of an airstrip to create a service hub for McFauld's Lake.
“We're saying let's build this strip where the ground is good for the environment and let us build the camps there and do business.”
Moonias said some companies had been landing on the partially-completed airstrip last fall. “We told the MNR about it and they shut it down. We're trying to finish that so we can start building our camps there to do business.”
He also wants jobs and contracts to service these camps instead of the companies bringing in outside suppliers and support personnel."

Here's what confuses me...

http://blog.taragana.com/pr/noront-resources-and-marten-falls-first-nation-enter-negotiations-for-exploration-agreement-and-partnerships-6466/

September 22nd, 2009

"Marten Falls First Nation and Noront are currently partners in a number of initiatives relating to infrastructure developments in and around the area of the Eagle’s Nest, Nickel, Copper, PGE discovery in the James Bay Lowlands. Over the past year, MFFN through it’s operating joint venture company, Marten Falls Logistics, has been active in supplying logistical support to Noront at the project site. The parties continue to explore additional ways to involve the Marten Falls First Nation community with Noront and create sustainable jobs.

Chief Harry Baxter states, “We are very pleased that Noront recognized the importance of compensating our community for past work. This was done in our Historical Compensation Agreement signed last March. The next step, which both parties recognize, is that interim compensation for the community be ongoing while business partnerships and exploration agreements are investigated. I am happy to report that we are currently in discussions which will address our community’s interests and create business partnerships that build capacity and create lasting jobs for our people.”

( Must be a new Chief in town now - Chief Eli Moonias )

Why is Martin Falls biting the hand that feeds them, and why is Noront (of all the companies active in the ROF) the only one to publically state support of the blockade??? What's their motive?

There's a lot of questions could be asked of this situation but we might have to wait till the book is written to get the answers.

SRV