Welcome to Shared Value Solutions funding and news digest. We hope it finds you well.

In this issue, we bring you the second blog in our Lands and Consultation Department eBook series. Also in this issue is information on an opportunity to have your voice heard as part of a national needs assessment on cumulative effects through the Indigenous Centre for Cumulative Effects (ICCE) initiative. 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

How to Structure an Effective Lands and Consultation Department

In the first post of our Lands and Consultation Department series, we talked about how having a dedicated department—however small—makes it easier to engage with proponents, the Crown, and your community to understand how a proposed project will impact your Rights and interests, and to respond effectively to further your Nation’s goals. In today’s post, we look more closely at how a strong department can be structured—based on clear definitions of the roles and responsibilities of the team.  

“The roles within the Lands Office should reflect the priorities of the communities.” —Mark MacDougall, Regulatory and Research Consultant, SVS 

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This is just the second post in our exciting new eBook - Built to Last A Lands and Consultation Department Guidebook. Download the full eBook below!

Special Announcement

The Indigenous Centre for Cumulative Effects (ICCE) is continuing the National Needs Assessment and the next phase is the Regional Dialogue sessions!

What is the National Needs Assessment?

The objectives of the Needs Assessment are to:

• Support Indigenous communities nation-wide in understanding and addressing cumulative effects within their jurisdictions and territories; and,  
• Improve the ability of ICCE to provide tools and supports to help address the needs of Indigenous communities nation-wide as it relates to cumulative effects considerations.  

What are the Regional Dialogue sessions?

• The Regional Dialogue sessions are the second phase of the Needs Assessment.
• The goal of the Regional Dialogue sessions are to bring together Indigenous communities and organizations to discuss cumulative effects and the supports they need to address them.
• The sessions will take place in person, in locations across the country.

Are you interested in participating? Fill out our survey of interest! Please note, spots are limited. Compensation for travel will be available: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7WKJRYZ

Indigenous Funding Programs

Here are some opportunities to check out:

Indigenous Community-Based Climate Monitoring Program - south of 60

The Indigenous Community-Based Climate Monitoring Program at Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) is now accepting Expression of Interest applications from First Nations:

• Who: First Nation band councils, tribal councils and associations, and governments of self-governing First Nation communities in Canada are eligible to apply.
• What: The Indigenous Community-Based Climate Monitoring Program at CIRNAC is currently accepting Expressions of Interest for community-based climate monitoring projects:
  • The program has $2.3 million in funding available for April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022 for First Nations projects and $2.6 million in subsequent years.
  • We anticipate funding approximately 20 First Nations projects per year.
  • Applicants can apply for up to three years of funding.
  • There are two streams of funding, “Emerging” and “Experienced”, so that applicants with a range of experience levels have the opportunity to receive funding.
• When: Applications are for projects that would begin in the 2021 to 2022 fiscal year (April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022). The deadline to apply is Friday, September 23, 2022 at 11:59 pm Pacific Time.

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CCAB Indigenous Business Grant 2022

The application deadline for the Indigenous Business Grant 2022 has been extended to July 29, 2022.

Applicants can apply to one of two levels:

• • Level 1: $2,500 grant + CCAB membership – 50 grants are awarded in a live draw.
  • Level 2: $10,000 grant ($5,000 per year for two years) + CCAB membership – a commitment to be on an advisory panel for the duration of the grant. Completed applications are reviewed by a jury and 25 grants are awarded.

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10-Year Grant Eligibility Pathways | First Nations Financial Management Board 
  This grant aims to provide First Nations with more flexible and predictable funding, as well as a reduce amount of reporting. 

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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.

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Opportunities Round-up: 

• • The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) is offering participant funding to Indigenous Nations and communities, members of the public, and stakeholders. The funding is to assist in reviewing CNSC staff’s update on the discovery of elevated hydrogen equivalent concentration (Heq) in the pressure tubes of reactors in extended operation – and in submitting comments in writing to the Commission. Deadline is July 29, 2022.
  • AFN Climate Gathering call for sessions. Submit a session presentation proposal for the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Climate Gathering, taking place at the Fredericton Convention Centre September 27 to 29, 2022 in Fredericton,
    New Brunswick. Deadline is July 29, 2022.

  •  Grants available for Emergency Response and Recovery for small Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs in Central Interior BC. The program is to provide a monetary contribution to assist clients, Indigenous owned businesses, entrepreneurs, and First Nation Communities who have experienced business disruption and financial loss due to the 2021 BC Floods. Applications will be accepted until the BC Emergent Response and Recovery Grant fund is fully allocated.

  • AB government grant call for Indigenous businesses. Eligible businesses can apply for up to $500,000 in capital funding for ventures that improve socio-economic outcomes for their communities. ABIF supports projects that increase employment opportunities and local revenue streams for Indigenous communities. Communities must own and control 51 per cent or more of the proposed business or joint venture to be eligible. Eligible projects should be close to starting operations or breaking ground within the fiscal year following funding.

    The closing date for applications is September 30.

  • Indigenous Services Canada's First Nations Environmental Contaminants Program (FNECP) is helping First Nations improve their health and wellbeing by supporting their capacity to identify, investigate and characterize the potential impact of exposure to environmental hazards on their health and environment through community-based research, monitoring, risk assessment and risk communication.

    Proposals must be submitted by October 21, 2022

  • Participant funding for CNSC staff update on the discovery of elevated hydrogen equivalent concentration in the pressure tubes of reactors in extended operation - Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. The Government of Canada is seeking comments from the public and Indigenous groups on proposed amendments to Schedule 2 of the Metal and Diamond Mining Effluent Regulations and the potential application of the Streamlining the Approvals Process for Metal Mines with Tailings Impoundment Areas for the West Detour Project. Consultations start on June 22, 2022 and will end on August 03, 2022.

  • The Blue Mountains resort is putting out a call or artist submissions as part of an installation to elevate Indigenous voices. The resort has set aside a large, open area at the top of the mountain where the work will be visible year-round.

    All submissions will be reviewed by a panel including people from Blue Mountain leadership and employees, residents, and people from the Indigenous community.

    Lovell says the selected artist or artist group will be given $5,000 and commission for the work, and infrastructure will be built in collaboration with the artist to ensure people can view the work all year.

  • 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 6^th 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.

  • 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.

In The News 

Countdown on to North American Indigenous Games in Halifax|CBC

The year-long countdown is on for Halifax to host the North American Indigenous Games, and while it is one of the biggest multi-sport events in Atlantic Canada, organizers also see it as another step toward reconciliation.

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Milton Tootoosis has a very clear and direct impression on the state of Cree language in Saskatchewan. “We are in a crisis,” he said. Tootoosis, member of Poundmaker Cree Nation and the Chief Economic Reconciliation Officer at the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA), decided to do something about it and applied for a project grant through Heritage Canada. To his surprise, in December, Tootoosis was notified his proposal had been approved.

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B.C. and First Nation reach first 'consent-based' agreement on mining project|Vancouver Sun

The deal is the first in Canada made according to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, said B.C.'s minister of Indigenous relations and reconciliation.

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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

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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