News

Community of Practice, March 2025 A Hopeful Future: Indigenous Impact Assessment “There’s something to be said about Indigenous site selection; what’s good on the land and what isn’t”. While sharing his presentation on Indigenous Impact Assessment, Martin Whitney explored many challenges and opportunities. An overreliance on proponent-led impact assessments enables government and industry to “shop around” for preferred third-party assessments, leading to pre-determination and failing to adequately consider Indigenous interests. “That’s a dangerous place to be: praising a proponent with a limited or incomplete picture or understanding of the data of these issues.” Martin also described the government’s tendency to homogenize its approach. “Indigenous can be too broad. Too ‘pan’. We need to see a Stó꞉lō impact assessment. A Secwépemc impact assessment. These will be very specific to their communities and lands.”

Community of Practice, March 2025 National Indigenous Monitors Framework Kristina Zoller shared updates from the Canada Energy Regulator’s ongoing efforts to develop a National Indigenous Monitors Framework. This work will help increase regulatory transparency and communications and increase confidence for Indigenous communities. Richard Aisaican, the Indigenous co-chair for Line 3 IAMC, spoke of the importance of this work: “We are only allowed on the land to perform monitoring and compliance activities under the umbrella of the CER. We talk to municipalities, but they don’t really want us there. This framework can tighten up questions of Métis involvement, deviations, private land ownership issues, and more. It’s important work.” Participants raised the challenge of how the CER’s purview doesn’t extend to the marine space. Kristina expressed an openness to working in collaboration with marine Indigenous communities and other regulators, such as the DFO. “We don’t need to continue on with these silos for the sake of ease of administration.” -Kristina Zoller

Community of Practice, March 2025 Thinking Tómiyew Would our ancestors 7 generations ago have considered the decisions we’re making today as honourable and good? Will our descendants 7 generations from now approve? Keith Carlson, Professor of History from the University of the Fraser Valley posed these questions during his illuminating presentation on the history of colonialism in Canada. We covered topics such as manifest destiny, privilege, whiteness, and the racist canards used to justify and advance settler colonialism. What made Dr. Carlson’s presentation unique was the principle that “meaning precedes experience.” In other words, it is vital to examine history from Indigenous cultural framings rather than only from the dominant Western perspective. In discussion, Indigenous leaders in the room were able to relate historical colonial practices to ongoing challenges they experience today.

Community of Practice, March 2025 Salish Fire Keepers Leona Antoine taught us about the work of the Salish Fire Keepers Society. Cultural burning brings traditional knowledge into practice, supporting land stewardship, food security, and cultural revitalization efforts. By applying the teachings of the Four Food Chiefs- Salmon, Bear, Bitterroot, and Saskatoon- along with other traditional knowledge, Leona and the Salish Fire Keepers are enhancing Indigenous values while protecting the land. Chief Marcel Shackelly pointed out how cultural burning can be effective in wildfire prevention and soil retention practices, showing how we can connect these ideas to the work of Indigenous monitoring and emergency management. “The Huckleberry Women and Grizzly Men recognized a lack of fire on the land. Decolonizing requires ceremony and traditional governance.” -Leona Antoine

Community of Practice, March 2025 Group Discussions Throughout the day, we broke into smaller groups to discuss the challenges, opportunities, and priorities for Indigenous Monitors today and into the future. We brainstormed practices, resources, and strategies to support and further this work, which is often but one of many responsibilities for monitors in service to their communities. We examined how Indigenous Monitoring will enable the development of Indigenous Regulator Official roles as part of the evolving Regulatory landscape.

Community of Practice, March 2025 Evening Reception & Cultural Experiences After getting to know each other over a wonderful dinner, we were welcomed to the Museum of Anthropology by Tsatsu Stalqayu (Coastal Wolf Pack) who taught us about the local lands and history and presented us with a fine performance of cultural singing and dances. Surrounded by Coastal First Nation heraldic poles and carvings, George Desjarlais amazed us in his portable Newayak Kisikohk planetarium. George shared Cree teachings and mythology of the night sky. George uses skillful storytelling and includes adventures and lessons from his personal journey, delivering a truly unique and moving experience. Thank you, George!

Community of Practice, March 2025 Lahal & Dancing Thank you to Tommy Brown for teaching us to play Lahal! We had several fun and exciting rounds of this traditional game. Cree Elder Ken White told us of variations on the rules which was a good reminder of the richness that occurs when we share culture embodying both commonality and uniqueness. Next was a cultural dance, which everyone enjoyed, accompanied by Tommy’s beautiful singing and drumming. It was great to wrap up our day of learning together in a good way.

Wise Practices Gathering On March 13 & 14, 2025, the IAMC-TMX Socioeconomic Subcommittee (SESC) and Marine Shipping Subcommittee (MSSC) hosted a Wise Practices gathering in lək̓ʷəŋən territory (Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations). Wise Practices is an approach to change that understands the need to look back in order to move forward in a good way, recognizing the wisdom of Indigenous Nations and communities and their own stories of achieving success. The recent Wise Practices gathering was an opportunity to focus much-needed attention on the perspective of marine communities regarding the safety and security of Indigenous Women, Girls and Gender Diverse and Two-Spirit people in the context of TMX and other marine traffic. The event, attended by First Nation leaders, Elders and advocates, provided opportunities to learn about the work of the Circle on MMIWG2S+ and Resource Development, and to hear directly from communities regarding their concerns in the marine space. The event included a sharing circle and various cultural ceremonies, including to honour those who remain missing but are not forgotten. The SESC and MSSC understand that more needs to be done to identify and address systemic race- and gender-based violence linked to resource development. At the forefront of the Wise Practices gathering in lək̓ʷəŋən territory is the development and implementation of a plan related to Canada’s commitment to the five Calls for Justice focused on the resource sector (13.1-13.5), as identified in the United Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Action Plan (2023). This work will involve deepening an understanding of issues associated with human and sex trafficking in the marine space and strengthening collaboration with NRCan and relevant regulators. We sincerely thank all participants who joined us earlier this month and look forward to continuing to advance this work together moving forward.

Community of Practice, March 2025 Decolonizing Master Guardian Designation Charlene Everson, Cultural Capacity Coordinator for Na̱nwaḵolas Council, shared with us her work developing a new and unique stewardship designation. Working with community knowledge keepers, Charlene studies and applies traditional laws and values as a lens to craft the technical, regulatory, and environmental frameworks of Na̲nwak̲olas’ guardianship efforts. Their precise focus on Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw culture yields specific and distinct guardianship approaches, tailored to meet the needs of Na̱nwaḵolas’ member nations. “We’re building beautiful relationships with the federal government. It’s not easy. Sometimes it’s very hard. But we’re doing it. Nobody is going to come up with an Indigenous research framework but us. Our ways. Our laws. ” -Charlene Everson