First Nations join WBEA

Fort McMurray First Nation, the Christina River Dene Nation Council, and the Chipewyan Prairie Dene First Nation have joined the Wood Buffalo Environmental Association. The association now consists of 37 member organizations who represent three levels of government, environmental non-government organizations, industry operators and Aboriginal groups. “One of WBEA’s goals has been to increase Aboriginal representation at our table. Each of our new members is an important stakeholder and they bring with them the Aboriginal voice and perspective that is so important in our region. One of WBEA’s greatest strengths is our consensus-based governance, and multi-stakeholder membership. This will continue be very important as we move forward and contribute to enhanced, science-based monitoring in the region,” said WBEA executive director Dr. Kevin Percy, in a news release. WBEA monitors the air in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo through a variety of air, land and human monitoring programs. The air quality information collected is openly shared with stakeholders and the public.