The leadership of the Grassy Narrows First Nations is set to sign a memorandum of understanding today with the Ontario Minister of Natural Resources, Donna Cansfield.

Chief Simon Fobister has said that they'd come to terms with the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) on a process meant to find ways to protect and manage the community's traditional lands. The Grassy Narrows First Nations is optimistic about the beginning of this new relationship, but they are not yet ready to lift their moratorium on clear-cutting within its traditional territory.

"We are engaging in a process to determine what can and will best work for forest management and use in the area, and we hope and expect the MNR will engage with us with an open mind about this. Until that determination is made, we are not agreeing with current clear-cutting harvesting regimes and practices in the Whiskey Jack Forest," said Chief Simon Fobister.

Read more: Grassy Narrows to sign agreement with MNR - Grassy Narrows First Nations leadership is set to sign a memorandum of understanding today with the MInister of Natural Resources, Donna Cansfield. (Kenora Daily Miner and News)

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