In the peatlands that wrap around Hudson Bay, Neil Novak makes a discovery that will change the fate of northern Ontario and the nations that call the region their homelands.<br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

The Breathing Lands

In Ontario, a battle is brewing over a remote mining region, about 450 kilometres north of Thunder Bay. The outcome could forever change the face of northern Ontario — and possibly the planet.Harry Wabasse’s home in Webequie First Nation is near the Ring of Fire — a 5,000-square-kilometre mineral deposit rich with the metals needed to build clean technologies. For years, the provincial government has been trying to build a road to the region and open the Ring of Fire up to mining.A road could improve life in Webequie First Nation, and help the nation pursue economic opportunities. But development will affect the homelands of other First Nations — and not all of them agree with the plan.Then, there's the environmental risks. Peatlands biologist Lorna Harris says building roads and a mine in the Ring of Fire could be disastrous. The region is home to the second-largest terrestrial carbon sink in the world — a massive expanse of wetlands that cool the planet by absorbing carbon.This is the story of the years-long battle over the fate of northern Ontario. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.