Nations consider leading own environmental assessments

At a meeting of the First Nations Major Projects Coalition held in Terrace on Feb. 4 and Feb. 5., representatives from 27 First Nations discussed the possibility of a First Nations-led environmental assessment process for major industrial projects, reads a press statement Feb. 8 from the group’s Coalition and Steering Committee.
The group says it is made up of nations who have agreed to work together to develop common approaches to strengthen capacity of communities impacted by major project development. No list of the nations involved with the group was included with the release.

The First Nations-led environmental assessment process would be modeled on the environmental review conducted by the Squamish First Nation concerning a proposed LNG terminal.

Squamish Nation issued a legally-binding environmental certificate to the proponent with attached conditions, reads the press statement.These conditions included economic consideration for the use of land under First Nations title.

First Nations participating in the coalition’s process retain their individual decision-making authority. The next meeting of the coalition is scheduled for March 30 and March 31 in Prince George.

“It is important we share the knowledge of how other First Nations in B.C. are moving to protect their interests when dealing with proposed major projects. We have rights and title to our territories and a First Nations-led environmental review of major projects is a step to implementing them through business practices,” said Kitselas First Nation Chief Joe Bevan, chair of the coalition meeting and member of the steering committee.

The statement comes in advance of a First Nations Forum on Energy being convened in Vancouver by the Assembly of First Nations. The forum is being held Feb. 10 and Feb. 11 at the Fairmont Hotel.

It will examine the role of First Nations in Canada’s energy future and will bring together First Nations leaders and experts with leading representatives from government and industry.

“The forum is an opportunity to address fundamental issues related to development and the energy sector, and for participants to engage in focused discussions around key topics and priorities,” reads an AFN press statement.

The agenda shared by the AFN includes an address by Jim Carr, minister of Natural Resources, on Day One, with plenary sessions titled “A Global Energy Market Briefing: First Nations, Canada, World Energy Markets & Experts”; “Energy, Natural Resources, Stewardship and Climate Action”; as well as “Where Reality of Energy Markets and the Art of the Possible Converge” all in the morning, with break-out sessions on different topics in the afternoon.

Plenary sessions on Day Two are titled “A Better Energy and Fiscal Framework” and “How do we achieve better outcomes for First Nations today? How do we get Canada back to work?” Again, break-out sessions in the afternoon.