Welcome to Shared Value Solutions biweekly funding and news digest. We hope it finds you well.
In this special edition, we are thrilled to announce the release of our much-anticipated new eBook - Protecting What Matters: Environmental Monitoring Ideas Bundle for Indigenous Nations. Be sure to also read the final post in our environmental monitoring blog series that led up to this ebook. We also bring you an exciting introduction as we welcome Gregory John to SVS. We share inspiring stories from across Turtle Island, as well as our usual round up of funding opportunities for you to check out. Stay well, everyone!
Looking for inspiration for your upcoming environmental monitoring field season?
Download our eBook for free to hear about how Indigenous Nations are using environmental monitoring to further stewardship efforts, assert jurisdiction, prepare for climate change, and empower citizens to protect their lands and waters.
A collection of the most popular posts from our Environmental Monitoring blog series, this newest volume in our popular eBook collection covers everything from deciding what to monitor, why, and how to do it. Additionally, we cover lessons learned around specific monitoring situations, such as mines, pipelines, and other linear corridors.
We’ll also discuss how placing your Nation’s Indigenous Knowledge at the heart of environmental monitoring plans can create the best possible results. Finally, and perhaps most critically, we’ll explore unexpected ways to fund and build up your program now and into the future so that environmental monitors and Guardians can approach their role not as a job, but as a career.
Welcome to the final post in our environmental monitoring series. Thank you for joining us on the exciting ride through all things environmental monitoring. We have covered several important topics to consider when planning your own monitoring program, including the who, when, what, where, and why of environmental monitoring. But there is one more topic that deserves attention — linear corridors. What are linear corridors? They are roads, pipelines, transmission lines, rail lines — anything that passes through a natural area and creates a linear break in the landscape.
We are thrilled to announce that Gregory John will be joining Shared Value Solutions on April 18th. Based in Calgary, Alberta, Greg will lead our regulatory and negotiations team in an interim role, assisting First Nations and other Indigenous clients to “navigate and negotiate the best deal and greatest impact” on major projects in their territories. A citizen of the Métis Nation of Alberta, he is a passionate advocate for Indigenous leadership in energy across Canada. Greg’s experience and expertise are in Indigenous relations, strategy, negotiations, communications, and public relations.
Indigenous communities across Canada are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change from events such as wildfires, heat waves, floods, and shortened winter road seasons in the North. Morrison Hershfield and Shared Value Solutions have partnered to present an overview of the solutions that Indigenous Communities can develop to become more resilient to the impacts of climate change and extreme weather.
This webinar explores the funding application process, eligible grants for Indigenous communities (including a program currently open in Alberta) and an overview of the climate-risk assessment and climate adaptation planning processes.
Featuring a Panel of Climate Change and Community Planning Specialists:
Joelle Doubrough - Senior Environmental Planner, Morrison Hershfield
Andrew Harkness - Climate Change Community of Practice Leader, Morrison Hershfield
Robin Heavens - Water Resources Engineer, Shared Value Solutions
Steven Rowe - Senior Advisor and Consultant, Shared Value Solutions
Jessica Ward - Senior Ecologist and Environmental Sciences Team Lead, Shared Value Solutions
REGISTER HERE
Here are some opportunities to check out:
The Government of Canada is providing $103.8 million over 5 years to assist First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities with implementing and developing Indigenous-designed community safety projects. There are several activities eligible for this funding, including initiatives that recognize the importance of traditional knowledge and practices in community safety and well-being.
After a years-long fight for clean drinking water, Indigenous communities and individuals in Canada are a step closer to receiving money from a class-action lawsuit that was settled with the federal government for $8 billion last year. The claims process under the settlement opened up to submissions on Monday. Indigenous communities now have until Dec. 22 to file their claims, while individuals have until March 7, 2023.
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Health Canada has launched a call for proposals for projects that address system anti-Indigenous racism and/or discrimination in Canada’s health systems. Priority will be given to Indigenous-led initiatives that work to develop cultural safety training and/or culturally safe care and traditional approaches to healing. Up to $1,000,000 of funding is available for projects to be completed before March 31st, 2024.
The Government of Canada is currently holding open consultation in advance of a National Action Plan on Combatting Hate. Interested participants are invited to complete the online questionnaire by May 8th
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. The Government of Canada has invested $70 million dollars through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency to support local economies. There are several activities eligible for funding, with preference given to projects that support clean technology and the green transition, foster inclusive business practices, preserve Canadian competitiveness, and capacity building. Indigenous-led organizations and/or businesses are strongly encouraged to apply. Rolling deadline.
The Rediscover Main Streets initiative helps Atlantic Canadian organizations team up to generate new ideas that inspire locals and tourists alike to rediscover all that their main streets, downtowns, and neighborhoods have to offer. Preference will be given to projects scoped between $25,000 to $500,000 and Indigenous applicants are encouraged to apply. Deadline is April 29.
National Action Plan on Combatting Hate. The Government of Canada has launched consultations regarding a National Action Plan on Combatting Hate. Participants can have their say on this plan by filling out the questionnaire before April 30th, 2022.
Natural Resources Canada has launched the Indigenous Seed Collection Program, an initiative that aims to build capacity among Indigenous communities for seed collection. The program, which will be delivered through Natural Resources Canada’s National Tree Seed Centre, will also support the incorporation of Indigenous knowledge into seed collecting, training, and conservation efforts.
Creating, Knowing, and Sharing – Short Term Projects. The Short-Term Projects component of Creating, Knowing and Sharing funds First Nations, Inuit and Métis professional and aspiring artists, cultural carriers, arts/cultural professionals, groups, collectives and arts/culture organizations. Grants provide support for any combination of eligible Creating, Knowing and Sharing activities for projects lasting up to 12 months. This funding provides up to $100,000 of support. Deadline is June 15, 2022.
Aboriginal Participation Fund - Advanced Exploration and Development Support Sub Stream Funding up to an annual maximum of $15,000 for a one-year term is available to Aboriginal communities in Ontario in areas of high mineral development activity. Rolling deadline.
Agriculture and Agri-food Canada have invested an additional $20 million to the Local Food Infrastructure Fund (LFIF). This new phase of the LFIF aims to support Indigenous, northern, and remote communities to develop community-led sustainable food systems. Funding of up to $500,000 is available through this program for the next two years, with the application period opening June 1st, 2022, and closing July 15th, 2022.
Indigenous educators of northern Saskatchewan introduce reconciliation in schools|CTV News
Indigenous educators of the Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation in Saskatchewan are implementing reconciliation in the work they do during their travels by bringing cultural teachings to schools across the country through a side project called "Pow Wow Times."
New gathering place supports Indigenous culture on campus| NationTalk
Indigenous students, faculty and staff have a new culturally relevant space for connection and celebration with the official opening of the Indigenous Gathering Place at North Island College’s Campbell River campus.
How an Alberta First Nation is working to help ‘culturally significant’ Banff bison herd to suceed|Global News
An Indigenous-led report says relying on traditional knowledge could help to ensure the success of bison that have been reintroduced in Banff National Park.
Check out our collection of informative eBooks that are available for free download:
Introducing on of our newest team members, Rojin Amani, who joins SVS as a Regulatory Analyst. Rojin has a diverse background in economics, sustainability, cost-benefit analysis, qualitative and quantitative research, market analysis, policy analysis, and report writing. conservation, and species-at-risk surveying.
SVS's Reconciliation Circle was born out of our commitment to the TRC Calls to Action. As a company, Call to Action #92 is a place we can directly put our efforts. We see it as a place we can influence the culture and operations within our company and hopefully influence other companies with our examples. We are a team of Indigenous and non-Indigenous professionals who have seen and learned much on our journeys – and acknowledge that we have so much more to learn and to know.
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We are a Canadian B Corp, and we assist Indigenous Nations with support throughout regulatory processes surrounding major development projects like mines, hydroelectric facilities, transmission lines, highway expansions, oil and gas pipelines, natural resource transport applications and nuclear power.
We have deep context and experience behind the recommendations we provide, having worked for our clients on almost every major project in Canada over the last 10 years. For us, it’s all about building long-term relationships with our clients. We want to get to know you and what you want to do so we can help you move your plans forward.
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