The Government of Alberta’s Volume 4, Issue 1 – January 2007 Fast Facts on First Nations Consultation A “MADE IN ALBERTA” APPROACH Applying Traditional Use Data: First Nations A Case Study Consultation Guidelines The following is an excerpt of a Alberta and industry to work conversation with Mr. Laren Bill, together in resolving land use The Government of Alberta’s First Nations Consultation Aboriginal Consultation Officer with conflicts. Guidelines on Land Management and Resource Alberta Tourism, Parks, Recreation Can you provide an example of Development were released on September 1, 2006. and Culture (TPRC) – formally a First Nation that is sharing The guidelines are consistent with the May 16, 2005 known as Alberta Community traditional use data with your consultation policy and will guide First Nations Development. Laren has been department and explain why consultation on land management and resource working closely with the O’Chiese they have chosen to share that development in relation to activities such as First Nation on their Traditional information? exploration, resource extraction, and management Use Study (TUS). of forests, fish and wildlife. Laren: The O’Chiese First Nation Interviewer: First of all, can you has shared some traditional use Since the release of the guidelines, over 500 people give a brief update on the site data with our department attended one of several information sessions hosted traditional use study initiative to work together to protect their across Alberta. The information sessions gave First in Alberta? Nations and industry representatives the opportunity culturally significant sites. Their to ask questions and express concerns about the Laren: There are 32 traditional use data will act as a trigger for new guidelines. From those sessions, a Frequently studies underway involving 42 consultation when a proposed Asked Questions document was created and is communities. Twenty-two development in the same area available electronically by contacting Lori Pailer agreements-in-principle to share may potentially adversely impact at (780) 644-4945 or [email protected]. data have been successfully treaty rights and traditional uses. negotiated with 30 First Nations. Since sharing their data, the Throughout the development of the guidelines, Alberta Between 2002 and 2005, Alberta O’Chiese First Nation are being has accepted input and feedback from First Nations provided $2.25 million in support consulted by industry more than partners and industry stakeholders through advisory of First Nations conducting in the past. When a proposed groups, correspondence, and personal meetings. traditional use studies. In 2006, development triggers consultation, Alberta continues to seek further input on the the government committed an the proponent is required to meet guidelines through the 2006/07 operating season. additional $9 million to the with the First Nation and discuss “Ideally, feedback will refer to specific cases of success funding of traditional use studies the potential adverse impacts of or concern regarding the consultation guidelines,” says across the province. The funding the development. Bill Werry, Executive Director. Alberta will continue to phase for comprehensive studies The idea is to avoid the site monitor implementation of the guidelines very closely is slated to conclude in the completely and if that isn’t and is planning a formal review process through the 2008-09 fiscal year. Related to possible, to mitigate or Annual Quality Assurance Assessment from February to consultation, the vision for the minimize the impact. Most May 2007. The consultation initiative, and the traditional use study Initiative often, it is possible to adjust the traditional use study initiative, will not be affected by is to provide comprehensive development in order to avoid the recent government re-organization. coverage for all First Nations in the potentially affected site Alberta and to ensure that valid For a copy of the guidelines, please e-mail or completely. telephone Lori Pailer at (780) 644-4945 or and reliable TUS data is available [email protected].❖ for use in regulatory processes. (Continued on back side) This will allow First Nations, New Government Structure Premier Stelmach announced a restructuring for government in mid-December. “This new structure will enable government to better focus on the priorities, improve planning and coordination and help move the agenda forward,” said Stelmach. A public news release is available at www.gov.ab.ca. The Premiers office has recognized the Aboriginal Consultation Strategy as one of the key priorities for the new department of International, Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Relations. The members of the cross-ministry team managing the consultation initiative will remain the same as will the implementation of The Government of Alberta’s First Nations Consultation Policy and Guidelines. Here is a brief synopsis of the leadership in the ministries assigned to the consultation initiative: International, Intergovernmental Environment Justice and Attorney General and Aboriginal Relations Minister Rob Renner Minister Ron Stevens, Q.C. Minister Guy Boutilier Deputy Minister Peter Watson Deputy Minister Terry Matchett, Q.C. Deputy Minister Gerry Bourdeau Infrastructure and Transportation Sustainable Resource Development Energy Minister Luke Ouellette Minister Dr. Ted Morton Minister Mel Knight Deputy Minister Jay Ramotar Deputy Minister Brad Pickering Deputy Minister Dan McFadyen Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture Minister Hector Goudreau Deputy Minister Fay Orr The Government of Alberta’s Fast Facts on First Nations Consultation Volume 4, Issue 1 – January 2007 (Continued from front) proponents during the What are some shared concerning the application development process to outcomes both the First Nation of TUS data in resource What kind of traditional use identify potential land use and Alberta want to achieve management decision making. sites have been identified? conflicts, including those with by collecting and sharing The cross-ministry committee is Laren: The type of sites that traditional use sites. traditional use data? co-chaired by the departments are primarily identified are of Tourism, Parks, Recreation What are some of the First Laren: By collecting and those of cultural value and and Culture and Sustainable Nations concerns around sharing the traditional use traditional use. Gravesites, Resource Development. Within sharing traditional use data? data, awareness is created ceremonial sites (such as a the government, all data of the value and importance Sundance site), medicinal Laren: The traditional use data management matters are of this data in resource harvesting sites, and lodges collected by any First Nation is referred to this committee.❖ management decision making. are some examples of the very sensitive. The First Nation, Both parties are committed to types of sites identified. So and the Government of Alberta, the protection of traditional far, the O’Chiese First Nation do not want people to show use sites by avoiding adverse Traditional Use Studies has shared 23 sites with our disrespect for ceremonial sites impacts when resource (TUS) in Alberta department. Once the sites or cause harmful vandalism. development occurs. The ❖ have been verified and the This is why the public version 32 studies underway system will be most efficient involving 42 communities locations confirmed, TPRC of the Listing does not include when the data is included in adds them to The Listing of any specifics on the traditional ❖ 22 agreements-in-principle the existing land management Significant Historical Sites and use sites identified. The public to share signed with 30 systems like the Listing and Areas. In conjunction with the version of the Listing is First Nations the Land Status Automated Government of Alberta’s Land available through our website ❖ System (LSAS). Alberta has 229 cultural sites Status Automated System at www.cd.gov.ab.ca. created a “Data Management identified for protection in (LSAS), TPRC requires that the the Listing Committee” to discuss issues Listing be consulted by Tsuu T’ina Launches EnCana – Chipewyan Prairie First New Website Nation Venture a Win-Win Scenario Tsuu T’ina First Nation recently launched a new website expected Submitted by M. Ripley, EnCana to benefit the community through improved and efficient Alberta’s First Nations communications, reduce the need for paper, and let the world consultation initiative on know about the Tsuu T’ina First Nation. The website will allow land management and resource information to be accessed from several locations on the reserve development is helping to and should speed up business within the community and with forge and solidify business industry and government offices. There are some components of relationships between First the website that are password protected and will allow the First Nations and industry. A leading- Nation to use the site internally only. edge example of a mutually- The website was started from the ideas of the community, ideas Oilsands company EnCana has a new beneficial business partnership from other First Nations websites, and staff at the Band office. kitchen and recreation facility at its is between the Calgary-based The development of the website has been a learning process SAGD operation site near Conklin that it natural gas and oil producer and has taken a year and a half. It is still growing and will always hopes will help attract top-notch