Three Matawa First Nations communities have agreed to work together on common interests in their shared traditional territories about 350 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay.

“Currently companies and industry are approaching our First Nations individually and we don’t have the resources,” said Long Lake #58 Chief Veronica Waboose. “Working together as three First Nations, we can assist each other and guarantee we are all in the know about projects happening within our traditional territories.”

Long Lake #58, Aroland and Ginoogaming signed a letter of intent Sept. 7 to work together in an attempt to unite First Nations and prevent industry from plotting communities against each other.

“Our First Nations are all going to be impacted by development happening in the area — not just one of the communities,” said Aroland Chief Sonny Gagnon. “These are our shared territories ... this isn’t about divide and conquer.”

The three First Nations identified the absence of a government-to-government process for consultation and accommodation between First Nations and the federal and provincial governments as a major issue.

The three chiefs agreed the signing of the letter of intent is the next step after the eight Matawa chiefs signed a Unity Declaration this past July to stand together to protect the natural resources and territories of member First Nations.

“If you look at the history, these three communities are all interconnected,” said Ginoogaming Chief Celia Echum. “All of our membership has ownership of the lands — it is shared territory.”