Formal Non-Consent Since 1989: The Evidence of a Broken System

This page documents decades of formal First Nations and Métis opposition to chemical herbicide spraying in public forests.

Consultation is not consent.

Section 35 rights, UNDRIP, Indigenous knowledge and decades of formal opposition should mean something.

Yet spraying continues while governments, forestry companies and foresters point responsibility at each other. ⭕️ That is the Blame Circle.

A group of Indigenous elders holding signs opposing aerial herbicide spraying, including messages like 'STOP THE SPRAY!!' and 'Glyphosate Kills All'.

Statements, Press Releases, Resolutions are listed from newest to oldest. Click a name to view. Jump to 1989 ↓

2026

👉🏻 Robinson Huron Treaty Chiefs Public Statement

Please note that there is a typo in the statement. Interfor’s confirmation about not spraying was made in 2025. (They made no such claim for 2026)

Public statement dated March 23, 2026, from Robinson Huron Treaty Nations under the Treaty of 1850 logo, titled “Robinson Huron Treaty Nations Public Notice: No Consent for Herbicide Spraying in Treaty Territory.” The notice states that the 21 First Nations of the Robinson Huron Treaty do not consent to aerial herbicide spraying, including by Interfor, within their territory. It says their jurisdiction over lands and waters remains intact, references earlier resolutions opposing glyphosate use, warns against future spraying, notes Quebec’s forestry ban as an example, and calls on Ontario to engage in meaningful dialogue and eliminate glyphosate use in the treaty territory. The statement is signed “Miigwetch, Gimaa Dean Sayers,” spokesperson for the Robinson Huron Treaty Chiefs.

2025

👉🏻 Anishinabek Nation – 2025 (Also in 2014)

PDF document from the Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Assembly, June 3–5, 2025, held in Southwest London. The document includes a carried resolution supporting the discontinuation of glyphosate use in aerial spraying, citing health, environmental, and Indigenous rights concerns, and calling for meaningful consultation with First Nations.
👉🏻 Métis Nation of Ontario – August 22, 2025 (Also in 1999)

Metis Nation of Ontario calls for an end to aerial spraying glyphosate in forestry
👉🏻 Matawa First Nation – Resolution – Aug 20, 2025

Matawa Chiefs Council statement
👉🏻 Nipissing First Nation – Aug 15, 2025

👉🏻 TEK Elders Press Release – August 1, 2025

Direct Action Announcement (Anishinaabek knowledge keepers from the Robinson Huron Treaty territory who share Traditional Ecological Knowledge about the land, water, and ecosystems and advocate against aerial herbicide spraying in their territories.)

Tek Elders issue press release for Direct Action after government ignores their signed resolutions.
👉🏻 The Chiefs of Ontario, representing 133 First Nations communities across Ontario – July 31, 2025 (also in 2008)

Chiefs of Ontario demanding for an immediate end to spraying herbicides over forests and treaty territories
👉🏻 Indigenous Action Canada’s Email – August 13, 2025

(Read Mike Harris’ Reply)

2023

👉🏻 Temagami / Teme-Augama Anishnabai – Feb 22, 2023

Temagami First Nation

2021

👉🏻 Flying Post First Nation – Jan 15, 2021

👉🏻 Matachewan First Nation – Jan 15, 2021

Matachewan First Nation calls for an end to aerial herbicide spraying

2020

Chapleau Cree First Nation – Jul 15, 2020: Letter highlighting ongoing concerns as resolutions go unheeded.

👉🏻 Serpent River First Nation – Feb 2, 2020

Serpent River First Nation Resolution against Herbicide Spraying in Forestry
👉🏻 Mattagami First Nation – Jan 31, 2020

Mattagami First Nation Band Council Resolution document regarding Aerial Spraying, dated January 31, 2020.
Screenshot
👉🏻 Foleyet Métis Pathfinders – 2020

Foleyet Metis Pathfinders resolution against aerial spraying herbicide in Ontario's forests
👉🏻 Brunswick House First Nation – Jan 29, 2020

Brunswick House First Nation

2018

👉🏻 Garden River First Nation – July 24, 2018

Garden River First Nation Resolution against spraying herbicides in ontario's forests
👉🏻 North Shore Tribal Council, representing several First Nations Communities – Dec 3, 2018

North Shore Tribal Council resolution against aerial spraying herbicides over forests

2017

👉🏻 Tek Elders Group – Jan 27, 2017

2014

👉🏻 Anishinabek Nation (representing 40 First Nations) Special Assembly & Ojibways of Garden River – Nov 18, 2014

Anishinabek Nation & Ojibways of Garden River resolution against spraying forests with herbicides

2008

👉🏻 The Chiefs of Ontario, representing 133 First Nations communities across Ontario – June 3, 2008 (Also in 2025)

2004

👉🏻 Mushkegowuk Council, representing Several First Nation Communities – Sept 15, 2004

Mushkegowuk Council resolution against aerial spraying herbicides over forests

1999

👉🏻 Métis Nation of Ontario – 1999 (Also in 2025)

Métis Nation of Ontario resolution asking for the end of chemical spraying in forests

1989

Nishnawbe Aski Nation, representing First Nations Listed below ~ Sept 28, 1989

  • Independent First Nations (10): Apitipi Anicinapek; Beaverhouse; Brunswick House; Flying Post; Ginoogaming; Long Lake #58; Matachewan; Missanabie Cree; Mocreebec Council of the Cree Nation; Taykwa Tagamou (New Post).
  • Keewaytinook Okimakanak / Northern Chiefs (6): Deer Lake; Fort Severn; Keewaywin; McDowell Lake; North Spirit Lake; Poplar Hill.
  • Matawa First Nations Management (8): Aroland; Constance Lake; Eabametoong; Hornepayne; Martens Falls; Neskantaga; Nibinamik; Webequie.
  • Mushkegowuk Council (7): Attawapiskat; Chapleau Cree; Fort Albany; Kashechewan; Missanabie Cree; Moose Cree; Taykwa Tagamou (New Post).
  • Shibogama First Nations Council (5): Kasabonika Lake; Kingfisher Lake; Wapekeka; Wawakapewin; Wunnumin Lake.
  • Wabun Tribal Council (5): Beaverhouse; Brunswick House; Chapleau Ojibwe; Matachewan; Mattagami.
  • Windigo First Nations Council (6): Bearskin Lake; Cat Lake; Koocheching; North Caribou Lake; Sachigo Lake; Slate Falls.
  • Independent First Nations Alliance (5): Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (Big Trout Lake); Lac Seul; Muskrat Dam; Pikangikum; Whitewater Lake.
Tyler made a sign - Stop the Spray Ontario
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