Read on for updates on Indigenous funding programs, precedent setting impact benefit and resource management agreements, and stories of prosperity, jurisdiction and stewardship in action.
Anishnawbe Business Professional Association launched this week, an association with the mandate to be a voice and advocate for First Nations business across Treaty 3, Treaty 5, Treaty 9, Robinson-Superior and Robinson-Huron territory. The association's next steps include a membership drive, and it plans to hold its first event in the Spring of 2019. The association will be able to provide guidance to businesses seeking contracts, and will also work on developing guidelines for companies, aimed at more inclusive hiring practices
The main focus of the budget is cash for Jordan’s Principle, keeping on-reserve water systems up and running, along with spending related to First Nations education and infrastructure. The budget also includes $9.1 million for a new National Centre for Indigenous Law and Reconciliation at the University of Victoria.
The QIA released a food sovereignty and harvesting report to help guide the discussions on food security in the QIA region and Territory. The report calls for the need to shift the thinking from food security to food sovereignty: "QIA prefers using the term food sovereignty rather than food security because food sovereignty allows for a culturally and community-minded approach to food management. Making food sovereignty possible in the Qikiqtani Region would revitalize Inuit culture and be a significant step towards reconciliation between Inuit and the Government of Canada."
The Alberta government announced on Tuesday the creation of Kitaskino Nuwenene Wildland Park, a 1,600-square-kilometre park that links and expands two previously announced parks buffering Wood Buffalo National Park. The new park will protect tributaries flowing into Wood Buffalo's Peace-Athabasca Delta, one of the world's largest freshwater deltas and home to millions of migratory birds and could long way toward ensuring Indigenous people can keep up their traditional pursuits. "This is a strong environmental, ecological protection, it’s really watershed focused."
It has been one year since Nicola Valley’s five First Nation chiefs shook hands with B.C. government officials, signalling a commitment manage local waters collaboratively. With a goal of addressing issues such as flooding, drought and the overall health of the Nicola watershed, the governments signed the Nicola watershed pilot memorandum of understanding (MOU) in March of last year.
Want to receive updates like this directly to your inbox?
We are a Canadian B Corp, and we assist Indigenous communities 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.
Strategic Regulatory and Environmental Assessment Process Support