ABOUT THE ALL-SEASON COMMUNITY ACCESS ROAD

Marten Falls First Nation is a remote First Nation community led by an elected Chief and Council, located in the Far North of Ontario at the junction of the Albany and Ogoki Rivers, approximately 170 km northeast of Nakina, Ontario and 430 km northeast of Thunder Bay.

The Community Access Road is a proposed all-season road that will connect Marten Falls First Nation to Ontario’s provincial highway network in the south, increasing access, helping foster economic development and improving quality of life for community members.

The Community Access Road is a separate project from the Northern Road Link and Webequie Supply Road projects.

construction-implementation
MFCAR is entering the detailed design and construction phase!

Click the button below to access early planning documents for this phase.

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An aerial photo of Marten Falls First Nation and a river.
Construction / impl
MFCAR is entering the detailed design and construction phase!

Click the button below to access early planning documents for this phase.

Read More
Bruce Achneepineskum
Message from the Chief

Bruce Achneepineskum

Chief
 on behalf of Marten Falls First Nation Council

"The decision to proceed with the Marten Falls Community Access Road marks a new chapter for Marten Falls First Nation. We have received approval to move forward with the construction of our Community Access Road—a vision our community has worked toward for many years.

This milestone reflects the dedication of our Elders, leadership, community members and all those who contributed throughout the environmental assessment process. We are grateful for the knowledge, perspectives and input that helped shape this road and the path forward.

Year-round access will help connect our community to healthcare, education, services and new opportunities for future generations. Most importantly, this road is about people. It is about reducing isolation, strengthening our community and creating a brighter future for our children and families.

We remain committed to working with neighbouring Indigenous communities and others with an interest. We will continue open and respectful dialogue. Together, Marten Falls First Nation is taking an important step toward a stronger, more connected future."

Final EA / IS Update
Why a Road to MFFN?
Understanding Cumulative Effects

Final Environmental Assessment / Impact Statement

Our Studies

Visit the Archive

Marten Falls First Nation in the News

A photo of a helicopter landed on the grass beside a river.

Partnership agreement delivers on local community priorities and will speed up construction of the Community Access Road.

Ontario and Marten Falls First Nation Sign Historic Agreement to Unlock the Ring of Fire

A photo of a helicopter landed on the grass beside a river.

An area destroyed by fire in 2023 will be regenerated in a collaboration that includes the private sector and the First Nations group that manages the forest.

Feds announce $900K for planting trees in the Ogoki Forest

A photo of a helicopter landed on the grass beside a river.

Chief Bruce Achneepineskum understands that there are both concerns and opportunities related to the Community Access Road and recognizes the importance of a transparent and holistic planning process. Read his column in Northern Ontario Business here:

Column: Leading our own prosperity: What are we doing in our territory? - Northern Ontario Business

Community Testimonials

“The community access road is a positive step. I cannot wait to see when this road becomes a reality. Community members will have the liberty to come and go whenever they please. It’s an opportunity for whole families to leave the community and visit their relatives who reside outside of Marten Falls. With climate change, the winter road has become very unreliable and often times community members are unable to transport fuel, construction materials and other heavy goods."

The community access road will also bring food security and affordable housing to community members and lower the cost of living overall. It has been a long time coming!

Lawrence Baxter

“A road to Marten Falls would be great because people could afford to go back there and not have to decide between paying bills or seeing family.”

Mya Autumn Baxter

“Our life is very different compared to the push button world outside. Yet we enjoy where we are. We love this place which has absolutely no resources for our people. But, yet, still, we have survived. We have figured it out in-house. We can survive it all. We have become strong as a Nation because of our hardships.”

Pearl Achneepineskum

“The all-season access road will provide cheaper costs of food, gas and travel. However, I do fear the access to our community will threaten our way of life as well. There will be a lot of people using the road for tourism, hunting and accessing the Albany River. There is good and bad. Building a road will also have an impact on the untouched land we have up here too.”

Delia Okeese

“Road access will benefit people with cost of living, transportation for people to come in and out. Perhaps create more jobs for people in the long run.”

Norma Achneepineskum

“The Community Access Road will make it possible for people (members) to bring loved ones home to be buried as it is too expensive to use the plane.”

Rosie Achneepineskum

“The road should be built because it will be easier to get affordable food up north. It will also make constructing houses and buildings more affordable.”

Judy Slipperjack

“There are thousands of roads in Canada that benefit a lot of people. I understand environment assessments need to be done, but it seems to take forever. I want our all-season road to be a priority.”

Vida Baxter