Indigenous Engagement
Process
Phase 1
Introduction to the Regional Assessment
The Committee held a series of introductory in-person meetings / information sessions with Indigenous groups to introduce the Regional Assessment and build an understanding of issues to inform the scope of the assessment.
Phase 2:
Traditional Knowledge Workshop
Indigenous groups were invited to participate in sessions held in September 2019, along with a series of workshops held from September to November 2019 with the sole purpose of directly engaging with Indigenous peoples on the complex issue of how to include IK directly in the work and recommendations of the Committee.
Phase 3
Review of Regional Assessment Findings and Draft Recommendations
The Committee conducted a series of meetings to discuss the first draft recommendations. A key focus of these sessions was on confirming that relevant questions and issues raised during the Indigenous engagement process were addressed in the Regional Assessment outcomes.
Two-eyed seeing
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Two-eyed seeing as a knowledge system an ideology which was perpetuated by a Mi’kmaw elder. This ideology weaves together indigenous and western knowledge systems. Indigenous knowledge should not just be incorporated into one section but be a lens to view all aspects of an assessment.
The conclusions from numerous meetings with indigenous groups and leaders can be broken down into the following main concerns.
Issues Addressed in Community Meetings
the cumulative effects of increased development
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Exploratory drilling, vessel traffic​
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Asses multiple industry effects
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Consider climate change
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The cumulative effect of how thresholds are set
power imbalance anD Knowledge Gaps​
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Require a diversity plan to provide power to under-representative groups
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Provide capacity to be meaningfully included in the process and funding for independent technical experts
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Responsible Ministers should be accountable when making decisions that are not in line with consensus decisions made by committees such as this.
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environment over economy​
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Ensure that an obligation exists to share information promptly, for example on oil spills
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The cumulative effect of how thresholds are set
Building adaptability within the process
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Provide capacity to be meaningfully included in the process (attend meetings, preparation and debrief time) including funding for independent technical experts.
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Responsible Ministers should be accountable when making decisions that are not in line with consensus decisions made by committees such as this.
Protecting areas of significance
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Educate people on the Indigenous context in Canada (such as rights and identity)
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Include Indigenous people alongside government when writing policy.
Promoting Meaningful Interaction Between Indigenous Groups and Industry
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​Having direct involvement of Indigenous groups at the beginning of a process rather than at the draft or final report stage. This would require Indigenous representatives on the Committee and Indigenous people should have a say in who sits on the Committee, including using a consensus-based approach when doing Committee work
