CONSULTATION
The constitutional duty of the crown to consult when there is any allegation of interference with the rights of a First Nation so the accommodation can be found in order to reconcile the sovereignty of the First Nation because of its prior occupation and assumed sovereignty of the British Crown.
The Consultation Department facilitates resource development consultation between Industry, Government and Chief and Council.
It is important to know that the ultimate authority to approve all consultation requests is Chief and Council.
Consultation Process
The following is the six-step consultation process that all potential business partners must follow in order to do business with Kapawe’no First Nation:
Step 1: Initiation
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2 copies of proposed project with applicable forms & maps, and map review fee sent to Consultation Liaison (P.O. Box 10, Grouard, AB TOG 1C0)
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Liaison ensures all relevent information is available to First Nation (FN) before an acknowledgement is made; if not, request for all information is made. Consultation begins when all information is received. Project is held pending until all information is recieved.
Step 2: First Nation Consultation
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A meeting maybe set up with FN, depending on the nature of project several next steps can take place such as; introductory meeting to discuss the project and related information and next steps, meet leadership or look at establishing a information sharing agreement such as a “good relations” ageeements.
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Or project gets mapped (processed) with field staff for assessment.
Step 3: On going Consultation
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Kapawe`no First Nation respects both Western scientific and FN Traditional methods of knowledge and uses both sources of information to make informed decisions. Therefore, once estimate is approved and paid, they conduct both assessments in the field. Both coordinated by the FN Liaison.
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One assessment is done by an Environmental Advisor with a MSc. and or PhD. and the other by the Kapawe`no Traditional Land Use Committee and Land Users.
Step 4: On going Consultation
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Pending the conditions of the Site Assessment and the nature of development, it may be done in one visit or it may require a further studies to ensure there is in fact not going to be an impact to FN livlihood or rights. A monitoring strategy may be considered to ensure sustainablitiy for the life of the project.
Step 5: On going Consultation
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At this point, both reports are compiled by Liaison and summarized and provided for Chief and Council for thier information and decision.
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Again, several next steps can occur pending results of studies; further request for information, meetings for mitigation, support letters, conditional sign off, referral to other FN etc.
Step 6: Consultation Complete
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Chief and Council provide further direction to the Consultation Liaison to carry out.
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Liaison will follow up with direction and conduct consultation in a timely manner until the life of the project is complete and reclaimed.
Iyiniwok Consultation Referral and Coordination Centre
The Iyiniwok Consultation Referral and Coordination Centre (ICRCC) is an Alberta registered not–for-profit Society incorporated by Sawridge First Nation and Kapawe`no First Nation.
The ICRCC is tasked with facilitating meaningful consultation, information collation and provision of environmental advice where needed within the context of distinctive First Nation Inherent, Constitutional, Treaty and Aboriginal rights (as protected in Sec. 35 Canadian Constitution 1982), promises and interests (hereinafter referred to as rights and interests). ICRCC services include:
The collection, collation & disbursement of all information which will better inform First Nation Leadership decisions about Treaty & Traditional Area Land, Water, Air, Vegetation and Wildlife;
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Facilitation of meaningful consultation between Industry, Government and ICRCC Member First Nations;
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Coordinating and participating in Traditional Use Site Assessments;
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Provision of recommendations for mitigation and accommodation measures that pertain to adverse impacts resulting from land use change, industrial and resource development or any other Treaty & Traditional Area Land, Water, Air, Vegetation and Wildlife related initiatives; and,
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First Nation Environmental Planning and specialized Environmental Assessments within First Nation Treaty & Traditional Areas.
Our Team
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Michelle Knibb, ICRCC Manager and KFN Liaion
Contact
Michelle Knibb , First Nation Liaison
P.O. Box 10
Grouard, AB T0G 1C0
Phone: (780) 751-3714
Fax: (780) 751-3719
Cell: (780)-523-6366
Email Consultation