NORTH BAY, ON: Indigenous youth leader from Attawapiskat First Nation, Jeronimo Kataquapit, has announced he will be seeking to intervene in the ongoing constitutional challenge of Bills 5 and C-5, being led by 14 First Nations, in Ontario’s Superior Court.
Kataqauapit is the founder of the Indigenous youth-led grassroots movement, Here We Stand. He has spent many months on the Attawapiskat River establishing a land-based encampment to raise awareness about the impacts Bills 5 and C-5 pose to Treaty rights, and the need to protect the pristine lands, waters and peatlands where the Ring of Fire is proposed. Kataquapit’s intervention will bring a critical and underrepresented perspective to the court: that of Indigenous youth who live on, rely upon, and carry responsibility for the lands, waters and future generations.
“Intervening as someone who is on the land, who sees these changes firsthand, and who will live with the consequences—especially as youth—is a perspective we want the court to hear,” shared Jeronimo Kataquapit. “We come from a long line of resilient people who have been through so much, so that I could be here – so that I could have a voice. That responsibility has now been passed on and it’s our turn – as youth – to carry on for the next generation.”
WATCH: Announcement from Jeronimo Kataquapit on his decision to intervene in the Bills 5 and C-5 constitutional challenge (Media use permitted with credit to Legal Advocates for Nature’s Defence) |
Kataquapit joins two others from Attawapiskat, youth leader and co-founder of Okiniwak, Ramon Kataquapit, and grassroots advocate and founder of the Friends of the Attawapiskat River, Michel Koostachin in seeking to intervene. In December 2025, they also announced their intent to intervene in the court case. All are represented by environmental law non-profit Legal Advocates for Nature’s Defence with support from Ontario Nature. Together, their call for the repeal of Bill 5 remains ongoing.
“Together, we’re stronger,” stated Ramon Kataquapit. “When we stand side by side—youth, grassroots, community—it shows that this isn’t just one voice, it’s all of us coming together to protect what matters.”
Next week, Ramon Kataquapit and Jeronimo Kataquapit will also be among four youth travelling from Treaty 9 lands in Northern Ontario – alongside Kohen Mattinas and Ryan Fleming – to appear before the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York. Together, they will bring global attention to Indigenous issues including this court challenge, the impacts of the proposed Ring of Fire, and the importance of protecting the peatlands and upholding Treaty and inherent rights. They have set up a donation page to help offset travel costs.
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For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Kerrie Blaise
Founder and Legal Counsel
Legal Advocates for Nature’s Defence
Legal Advocates for Nature’s Defence
705-978-4034