Welcome to Shared Value Solutions' biweekly funding and news digest. We hope it finds you well as winter marches on.

Have you ever wondered how an Indigenous Knowledge Map works? This week we share a blog post that sheds light on the mysteries of these maps. We also share the  Panel #1 lineup of the upcoming virtual  Indigenous Sustainable Investment Conference.

This week we are back to our usual news section. However, the cold days of winter are not behind us yet.  The SVS News section shares some of our favourite Indigenous children's book so grab a blanket and cozy up with your little ones for story time! 

Stay well, everyone!

Mysteries of Indigenous Knowledge Maps Revealed 

Be sure to check out our latest blog post, which sheds light on the mysteries of Indigenous Knowledge maps!

SVS’s Marnie Benson, social researcher and GIS mapping professional, has put together a demonstration Indigenous Knowledge map, together with a table of data, to demystify how the data can be displayed. “It’s fake data (well maybe some of my own personal ecological knowledge) centered over Guelph, Ontario,” explains Marnie. “But it exemplifies the style and content of what we would typically produce for our clients.” Citizens of Guelph, rest assured that the proposed pipeline marked on the map is also fake. But for so many of our clients, the experience of seeing a proposed pipeline snake across their Territories is very real. Let’s take a closer look at what’s on this map, and how it might affect the outcomes for this pipeline.

Read More

The “I” in ESG – Indigenous Leadership Towards a Low Carbon Economy: First Nations Major Projects Coalition Conference

We are excited to showcase Panel #1 of the virtual FNMPC conference, featuring Chief Sharleen Gale, Chair, First Nations Major Projects Coalition, Councillor Joey Wesley, Lax kw' alaams Band and First Nations Climate Initiative representative, Hillary Thatcher, Senior Director Indigenous Infrastructure, Canada Infrastructure Bank, Fazil Mihlar, Deputy Minister, Energy, Mines, and Low Carbon Innovation and Shawn Tupper, Associate Deputy Minister, Natural Resources Canada.

The panel will discuss Indigenous approaches to, and considerations of the necessity for an “I” in ESG, including by exploring the following issues: Indigenous-led net zero carbon policy framework for the development of major projects, financing mechanisms for Indigenous infrastructure programs that seek to reduce GHGs or sequester carbon, the role of renewable energy generation projects in Indigenous economic development, and the Canadian net zero carbon policy context for major project development.

Taking place March 18th & 19th, the Indigenous Sustainable Investment Conference will focus on delivering programming related to the advancement of an Indigenous worldview of Environmental, Social, and Governance Standards (collectively called ESG standards) and their impact on the social and economic interests held by Indigenous Peoples in the context of major project and energy development.

The two-day virtual Indigenous Sustainable Investment Conference will bring together Indigenous communities from across Canada with government and project finance sectors for focused expert discussions on the following topics:

• Measuring the impact of incorporating Indigenous interests into ESG standards 
• Examples of real-time equity ownership in major projects by Indigenous communities
• Highlighting climate-change leadership by Indigenous communities

Register today! Registration is free for all First Nations Members.

Conference Primer Document now available for download

The First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) has released a discussion document in advance of the conference that provides an Indigenous perspective on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investment standards. This primer highlights an Indigenous approach to ESG, with a discussion on the issues, risks, and rewards of meaningful engagement. Download the primer here.

Indigenous Funding Programs

Here are some opportunities to check out:

Wage Subsidy for Sustainability-focused Youth Employment

"Through our Green Jobs in Green Spaces Program, Project Learning Tree Canada can provide a 50% wage-subsidy to support sustainability-focused youth employment in the forest and conservation sectors. 

• Green Jobs can provide a 50% wage-match, up to $5,712.
• Employment opportunities filled by youth age 15 to 30 (inclusive) are eligible for the wage-match.
• We take a very inclusive view of Green Jobs. In essence, any opportunity that promotes nature-based solutions for a more sustainable planet can be eligible. This includes back-end or administrative work that makes land-based opportunities possible, as well as processing facilities (i.e. mills), or forestry support services (e.g. wildfire fighting, silviculture).
• Funding can be applied retroactively to positions that were active between May 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021. Generally, all we need are the pay stubs and the ability to have the youth employee fill out a short participant consent form.
• Positions that were funded through the CEWS or other federal COVID relief programs are often eligible for additional Green Jobs funding through PLT Canada. Please inquire with the PLT Canada team if you think your positions are eligible."

Read More

Opportunity to join Starlink Beta

Tesla North reports Canadians in Ontario, Manitoba, and Alberta are able to sign up to join the Starlink beta. Eligible latitudes seen so far have been in the range of 43.1 to 45.3, and 50.01 to 50.71. The dish is priced at $649 CAD, while the service is at $129 CAD per month. Targeting rural areas with download speeds of 150 Mbps or higher. All you have to do is visit the Starlink website here, enter your email and your home address. You’ll be able to confirm your exact location with a pin on a map.

Read More

Funding for Mineral Development Advisor 

MENDM has funding available for Indigenous communities to hire a mineral development advisor for a period of three years (with maximum funding of up to $130,000 per year), to assist in the regulatory consultation process. This assistance would include the review of exploration permit applications, closure plan and closure plan amendments and Environmental Assessments. Eligibility is dependent upon the amount of mining activity each community experiences. Applicants must have received 10 or more exploration plans or permit applications in the previous fiscal year (April 1 to March 31) or are engaged in reviewing two or more closure plans, closure plan amendments, or mineral development-related environmental assessments. Applications are accepted on an on-going basis.

Read More

Opportunities Round-up: 

• The Nuclear Waste Management Organization NWMO released a draft planning framework for the transportation of used nuclear fuel, and are seeking feedback and input on the framework over the coming months. 
• CRE's Centre for Indigenous Policy and Research has launched a second round of Indigenous youth research grants. 

• Ministry of Transportation’s (MTO) draft Northern Ontario Transportation Plan is open for comment from December 10, 2020 to March 10, 2021.

• The Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks is proposing changes to the Proposed updates to the Procedures for the Use of Risk Assessment under Part XV.1 of the Environmental Protection Act. The document provides requirements and guidance for complet5ing risk assessments reports under the Environment Protection Act. Proposed changes include better describing the different types of risk assessments and the conceptual site model, and providing guidance on the use of the Ministry's approved model for contaminant screening purposes. Comments are being invited until April 4, 2021. 

• The Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk, administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada , is accepting applications for projects beginning in 2021-22.  The minimum funding request suggested for new and multi-year projects is $10,000 and project funding usually ranges from $10,000 to $50,000 per project. Projects may extend over more than 1 year to a maximum of 2 years. Applications must be submitted by March 2, 2021.
• MENDM is offering opportunity for comment or feedback on Ontario’s long-term energy planning framework.
• Participant Funding available for the Crown Mountain Coking Coal Project, and open-pit metallurgical coal mine in the Elk Valley, BC. Applications must be submitted by March 3, 2021.
• Participant funding available for Orano Canada Inc.’s licence amendment application for the expansion of the JEB Tailings Management Facility at the McClean Lake Operation. Applications  due April 1, 2021. Up to $100,000 available.
• Participant funding available for Beaver Dam Mine Project. Applications due by March 12, 2021

News Digest 

Minecraft game Manito Ahbee Aki designed to help with culture | APTN NEWS 

“Launching the Manito Ahbee Aki world in Minecraft means that students and educators across Canada and the world will have access to an important resource that showcases a core component of Canada’s heritage, the Anishinaabe nation,” said Kevin Peesker, president of Microsoft Canada.

Read more

Six Nations partner in major energy storage project| Lakeshore Advance

Six Nations of the Grand River is poised to become a partner in the development of what could be one of the world’s largest energy storage facilities.

Read more

McMaster University prepping for its own COVID-19 vaccine trials | Toronto Sun

McMaster University is working on its own COVID-19 vaccine — including one that can be inhaled instead of injected — with hopes of a clinical trial to begin in May.

Read more 

First Nations designed pink t-shirts raising money for charity| Delta Optimist

Northern Ontario First Nations mass vaccination effort well underway | CBC News

SVS Update

Teaching our Children Through Books

Talk around the virtual SVS watercooler lately has been on how we can teach our children about Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous history. Here are some of the books that we read to our little ones:

• Nibi's Water Song. Text by Sunshine Tenasco
• Stolen Words by Melanie Florence 
• The Orange Shirt Story by Phyllis Webstad
• The Hatchling's Journey: A Blanding's Turtle Story by Kristin Bieber Domm
• A Promise is a Promise by Robert Munsch and Michael Kusugak
• Coyote Tales by Thomas King
• My Heart Fills With Happiness by Monique Gray Smith 
• I Am Not a Number by Jenny Kay Dupuis and Kathy Kacer
• How Raven Stole the Sun by Maria Williams 
• Spirit Bear: Fishing for Knowledge, Catching Dreams by Cindy Blackstock
• Awâsis and the World-Famous Bannock by Dallas Hunt

We would love to add to our reading list! Leave a comment with your favourite children's books!

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