March
22, 2020

Dear Citizens,

Over
the last several weeks, we have been closely monitoring the evolving COVID-19
health situation and have been working to ensure that we are keeping the health
of RSMIN staff and citizens the focus of every decision we make. The situation
has been very fluid and has been changing daily.

As a result, effective March 21, 2020, our staff will be working remotely and our main office shall be closed until advisories and guidelines put out by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) as well as provincial and municipal public health authorities indicate that it is safe to return to face-to-face business as usual.

We would like to inform the community that during these changes, we are still available for communications online, by email, and by phone, and are operational during normal business hours.

We would like to express our deepest appreciation to the community for doing their best to assist their local health care providers and not overwhelming our shared health resources.  And for helping your neighbours and those in need. These trying times, but together we shall prevail.

For more information about COVID-19 please see the following links:

Canada's COVID-19 Updates

Self Assessment App

Ontario's COVID-19 Updates

Thunder Bay's COVID-19 Updates

Salute et Meegwetch

The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) is planning to pave the shoulder of Hwy 17 between Marathon and Nipigon during the 2020 construction season. The activities may cause some detours and travelling delays but is not expected to have impacts to fish or wildlife.

The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) is planning to replace 3 structural culverts on Highway 588 and Highway 595 located in the Township of O'Connor and the Township of Gillies (please refer to the location map below)

If you are interested in finding out more information on the Waasigan Transmission Line project see the list of Dates andCommunity Centres that will be open to the public below.

The MDA will participate in the collection and evaluation of mine permitting and mining related information provided from mining proponents, and to assist committees in reaching their objectives including and not limited to: determining aboriginal and treaty rights that may be adversely affected by proposed mineral exploration activities; impacts and mitigation; and reporting and drafting responses for council.

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), Resolute FP Canada Inc. and the Black Spruce Forest Local Citizens Committee (LCC) invite you to an information centre. This information centre is being held as part of the detailed planning operations for the 10-year period of the 2021-2031 Forest Management Plan (FMP) for the Black Spruce Forest.

RSMIN Citizens are encouraged to review the following Environmental Registry posting involving early exploration activities in the Robinson Superior Treaty Area.  The RSMIN community office is reviewing the details and seeking citizen’s feedback to determine if there are any impacts related to Traditional Land Use practices on the land (IE Hunting, Fishing, Ceremonial Gathering Locations)

If you have any feedback or concerns related to the activities described in the posting and you are a RSMIN citizen. Please contact Dean at mda@rsmin.ca or by phone 807-623-4635 (EXT 200)

The mining claims are located approximately 18 km east of Manitouwadge, ON. Comments due by April 6, 2020.

Environmental Registry Posting:https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-1449

RSMIN Citizens are encouraged to review the following Environmental Registry posting involving early exploration activities in the Robinson Superior Treaty Area.  The RSMIN community office is reviewing the details and seeking citizen’s feedback to determine if there are any impacts related to Traditional Land Use practices on the land (IE Hunting, Fishing, Ceremonial Gathering Locations)

If you have any feedback or concerns related to the activities described in the posting and you are a RSMIN citizen. Please contact Dean at mda@rsmin.ca or by phone 807-623-4635 (EXT 200)

Comments due by April 3, 2020.

Environmental Registry Posting: https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-1435

RSMIN Citizens are encouraged to review the following Environmental Registry posting involving early exploration activities in the Robinson Superior Treaty Area.  The RSMIN community office is reviewing the details and seeking citizen’s feedback to determine if there are any impacts related to Traditional Land Use practices on the land (IE Hunting, Fishing, Ceremonial Gathering Locations)

If you have any feedback or concerns related to the activities described in the posting and you are a RSMIN citizen. Please contact Dean at mda@rsmin.ca or by phone 807-623-4635 (EXT 200)

Comments due by April 3, 2020.

Environmental Registry Posting: https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-1436

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), First Resource Management Group (FRMG) action as the agent for Hornepayne Lumber LP and the Nagagami Forest Lical Citizens' Committee (LCC) invite you to an information centre. This information centre is being held as part of the detailed planning of operations for the ten-year period of the 2021-2031 Forest Management Plan (FMP) for the Nagagami Forest.

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), and the RYAM Forest Management and the Martel Local Citizens' Committee (LCC) invite you to an information centre. These information centres are being held as part of the detailed planning of operations for the ten-year period of the 2021-2031 Forest Management Plan (FMP) for the Martel-Magpie Forest.

Le ministère des Richesses naturelles dt des Forêts (MNRF) de L'Ontario RYAM Forest Management et le comité local de citoyens (CLC) Martel vous invitent à vemor aix cemtres d'information. Ils seront tenus dans le cadre de la planification détaillée des travaux forestiers associés à la période de dix ans 2021-2031 du plan de gestion forestière (PGF) pour la forêt de Martel-Magpie.

Are you a trapper looking to aquire more trap lines? There are currently 11 trap lines available with in the Thunder Bay District.

Are you a trapper looking to aquire more trap lines? There are currently 5 trap lines available within the Nipigon District.

TC Energy is now accepting applications for the TC Energy Scholarship Program. Students can apply online at www.tcscholarships.com until May 15, 2020.

Congradulations to Nicole Nummikoski and Rhett Zurkan.