Welcome to Shared Value Solutions funding and news digest. We hope it finds you well.
We kick off summer with the release of the first blog in our recently launched Lands and Consultation Department eBook series. Also in this issue are shout outs to the amazing Indigenous organizations that helped make our SVS Summit a success, a special anniversary for SVS, and an article that CEO Karen Restoule published in the National Post. We also 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!
In Our Blog
Plant the Seed: Making the Case for a Lands and Consultation Department
If you work in your Nation’s lands, resources, or consultation departments, or hold these portfolios on Council, you likely know all too well what it feels like to be drowning in consultation emails. Whether it is a proponent reaching out about the latest mine, pipeline, or other development they are proposing in your territory or government reaching out about policy changes or funding, these things pile up fast.
Will you find the right balance between protecting your lands and waters and pursuing economic opportunities? Will you powerfully protect your Nation’s Rights in the face of development while furthering the prosperity of your people? Will it leave you time to respond to the next even higher priority item that may come down the pipe? No pressure here!
This is just the first post in our exciting new eBook - Built to Last A Lands and Consultation Department Guidebook. Download the full eBook below!
SVS Summit Spotlight
Last week, SVS staff gathered in Ontario for our first in-person Summit since the pandemic. We would like to give huge shout outs and our sincerest thanks to the many people and companies that made the SVS Summit a success. Chiefswood Park in Six Nations of the Grand River were our fabulous hosts, Amy Lickers led us through powerful conversation focused on the meaning of reconciliation and Indigenous self determination. We were gifted with beautiful medicine pouches from local artisans I & S Crafts and nourished by caterer Jolene General. We fell energized and our hearts are full!
SVS Celebrates 10 Years!
The coming together of SVS staff at the SVS Summit allowed for more than meaningful conversation. It was also an opportunity to celebrate the milestone birthday that is 10 years. CEO Karen Restoule and Board Member Roman Ciecwierz presented SVS founders Scott Mackay, Nichole Fraser, Laura Taylor, and Jeremy Shute with blankets to mark the occasion. Happy Birthday, SVS! Here's to many more great years!
SVS In The News
Article by SVS CEO Karen Restoule in the National Post: Balancing Economic Prosperity and Environmental Sustainability for Future Generations
"Indigenous Peoples are clear on what they want to achieve: sustainable prosperity."
Indigenous Nations have remained steadfast in ensuring that the land and water are protected for future generations. Where there have been conversations about engaging with industry to develop resources in their territories, communities have been clear that the approaches and processes need to prioritize environmental sustainability. Alongside that, they’re clear that developments are to ensure the future growth of their Nations over time and, most importantly, on their own terms.
Indigenous Funding Programs
Here are some opportunities to check out:
Webinar: 10-Year Grant Eligibility Pathways | First Nations Financial Management Board
Upcoming webinar being offered by the First Nations Financial Management Board for the 10-Year Grant. This grant aims to provide First Nations with more flexible and predictable funding, as well as a reduce amount of reporting. The webinar is free, but registration is required.
First Nations Drinking Water Settlement Open for Claims From Communities and Individuals
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.
Opportunities Round-up:
-
-
Greenhouse Gas Credit System. The Government of Canada has launched the new Greenhouse Gas Credit System. This program provides a market-based incentive for stakeholders, including Indigenous communities, to undertake innovative projects to reduce greenhouse gases ahead of 2030. Proposed projects can earn up to offset credit for every tonne of emission reduced from the environment.
-
CRTC Public Consultation – Telecommunications in the North. The CRTC is seeking public comment from stakeholders in Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon, communities in northern British Columbia, and Fort Fitzgerald, Alberta, regarding possible improvements to connectivity. The CRTC is welcoming comment until October 6th 2022.
-
Clean energy in Indigenous, rural and remote communities. Environment and Climate Change Canada has announced an additional $300 million for clean energy projects. This funding supports projects that help advance Indigenous-led climate action, support local economic development and create skilled jobs while reducing pollution and improving air quality.
-
National Adaptation Strategy: Discussion paper. The Government of Canada has launched a public consultation to develop Canada’s first National Adaptation Strategy, a whole-of-society blueprint for coordinated action across the country. The first initiative is a discussion paper on the goals and objectives of the strategy. Interested stakeholders are all invited to share their opinions on the paper by participating through the consultation portal until July 15, 2022.
-
Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities. 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.
-
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 1, 2022, and closing July 15, 2022.
-
In The News
University of Alberta's Indigenous strategic plan aims to bridge gaps across programs|Edmonton Journal
"It doesn't matter where you work, after you leave university, what kind of career, what kind of living you're doing, it's recognizing that, for example, we get to live and work in this place we now call Edmonton because there were agreements signed and treaties signed"
Connecting Indigenous inmates to their culture: Grand Chief performs at Manitoba prison |CTV News
Behind prison walls, National Indigenous People’s Day was celebrated this month, with inmates at a Manitoba federal prison granted access to music, drumming and sharing circles — positive steps forward to reconnect Indigenous inmates with their culture and rehabilitate a group that is incarcerated at a disproportionate rate.
Northern B.C. First Nations reclaim thousands of hectares of land, launch community business hub|CBC
After 18 years in the making, the Doig River First Nation in northeastern B.C. is marking the beginning of a new three-hectare business hub in Fort St. John, a development celebrated with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday — National Indigenous Peoples Day.
SVS eBooks for Download: Collect them all!
Check out our collection of informative eBooks that are available for free download:
- Protecting What Matters: Environmental Monitoring Ideas Bundle for Indigenous Nations
- Channeling the Wisdom of Indigenous Knowledge
- Pandemic-Inspired Research Innovations
- Indigenous Planning Cheat Sheet
- Indigenous Business and the Resource Sector
- Indigenous Planning Starter Kit
- Indigenous Guardians and Development
Download our eBooks here
SVS News
Meet Michelle Correa Ferrufino 
Introducing on of our newest team members, Michelle Correa Ferrufino, who joins SVS as a lands coordinator. Michelle is passionate about prioritizing lands-related community engagement while simultaneously benefitting the environment. She has a background in research, policy, and consultation in the fields of ecology and government. Michelle completed a master’s in bioenvironmental monitoring and assessment at Trent University where she learned about environmental monitoring, communications, stakeholder relations, and environmental policy.
Reconciliation Circle Update
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.
Reconciliation BINGO
Last summer, the Reconciliation Circle challenged staff to take personal action toward reconciliation by developing a BINGO card of ideas. This summer, we urge everyone to join us on the path to reconciliation by attempting to fill this year's edition of Reconciliation BINGO. Throughout the summer, we will share some of the ways staff are engaging in reconciliation and we would love to hear from our readers as well!
Like what you're reading? Want to receive it in your inbox every two weeks?
About Us: Shared Value Solutions
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.
Core Services:
- Impact Benefit Agreement Negotiation Support
- Technical Reviews and Regulatory Process Support
- Community and Economic Development Planning
- Indigenous Knowledge and Land Use Studies
- Environmental Monitoring
- Guardians Program Development
- Climate Change Readiness
- GIS and Mapping
- and a whole lot more...www.sharedvaluesolutions.com