Pilot Program Trains Aboriginal Interns to Link First Nations with Industry

April 28, 2009 - Bigstone, AB

The fur trappers on the Bigstone Cree Nation near Slave Lake have always known where to go for bountiful return. Lately, though, they had found evidence showing industry has moved onto their traditional trapping areas, impacting their livelihood. They didn’t know what to do about it.

On the other side of the equation, the operational and regulatory requirements of industry required more than First Nations anecdotal evidence to guide their project planning.

A new program is stepping up to fill this void between Aboriginal communities and industry. Bigstone is one of four communities to participate in an Alberta Research Council (ARC) pilot program developed to address a need for Aboriginal community participation in sustainable land resource management. The two-year Aboriginal Internship Program for Land Stewardship pilot has just wrapped up with the graduation of its two interns – Jan Noskiye of  Bigstone Cree Nation, and Ike Solway of Siksika First Nation. 

When Noskiye began the Land Stewardship internship two years ago, she says there was no voice for the Cree Nation in consulting with industry on land use issues. Likewise, industry did not have an effective way to communicate with those at Bigstone. The common language Noskiye uses is science – using sound methods of analysizing ecosystems to guide land use choices. Today, Noskiye’s story is a success for her community, industry and Albertans, as she helps all those around her participate effectively in land and resource management decisions.

Noskiye says she is now equipped to help her Aboriginal community overcome the communication barriers with companies and participate in land planning. She has a dream to work with the elders and industry, so the two groups can work together for the betterment of the community while doing a better job of protecting the land.
 
Noskiye now consults daily with industry to discuss development proposals on traditional land. She visits proposed affected areas with her GIS/GPS, camera and note pad, recording everything she sees. She meets with the affected Registered Fur Management and Area (trap-line) holders and advises on whether they need to visit the proposed area prior to surveying and construction. Noskiye coordinates site visits, sometimes by snowmobile. “Now that I can do field assessments, the trappers can see the land prior to its development,” says Noskiye. “It helps them understand the potential impact to the land and community.”

ARC Aboriginal Liaison, Bob Phillips, says the program’s strength is in its community-based, practice-oriented training. “The result is graduating interns who are already active in their community,” he says. Phillips is now seeking further industry support for the re-designed, one-year program. There are now six interns poised to begin a re-designed program.
 
The sponsors backing the pilot program include Suncor Energy, British Petroleum, ATCO, Statoil and ALPAC.  The province was also quick to see the value in the program and support poured in from Environment, Advanced Education and Technology, Aboriginal Relations, Energy and Sustainable Resource Development.

Suncor supported the pilot program because it understands First Nations communities need to develop the capacity to work with industry. “The ARC land stewardship program helps communities develop the scientific and technical knowledge along with traditional environmental knowledge and build it into their communities,” says Suncor Aboriginal Affairs Manager Jerry Welsh.

Noskiye says she and the staff at the Bigstone Cree Nation Consultation Office were able to begin making changes, even during her internship, such as working with local trappers to develop an industrial development matrix. Prior to her position with the Industry Notification and Consultation office, the trappers received no documents on industry activity on Bigstone’s 57-thousand square kilometres of traditional territory. Now that the trappers are being informed, they often stop by the consultation office to better understand how new developments may impact their livelihoods and the ecosystem on the trapline.

Noskiye had to be resourceful gathering data for sites on traditional land.  She used the industry’s Fort McKay matrix as a template she could customize for Bigstone, accounting for the different cultural issues and geographical features. She then hosted meetings with Wabasca, Trout, Chipewyan, Peerless and Calling Lake areas. The Bigstone Cree Nation Territorial Matrix was presented to leaders and approved on February 17, 2009. Half the trap-line holders have signed the matrix to date. Noskiye says while there has not yet been an opportunity to use the matrix, it is one example of how her new role as Land Steward helps build a positive relationship between industry and her people.

That blending of science and tradition is important to Noskiye. “I can honestly say (the internship program) changed the way I look at life,” she says.  Noskiye adds it makes her want to create awareness about what needs to be done to ensure the environment is not drained of its resources.  “This encourages me to keep on striving for an environmentally friendly, sustainable Nation for my people.”

About ARC:
The Alberta Research Council develops and helps partners deploy leading edge technology in the province, across the country and around the world.  The returns on the Alberta Research Council’s projects contribute to building a prosperous province, securing a sustainable future and maintaining a high quality of life for Albertans.

Learn more about the Aboriginal Internship for Land Stewardship program.

For more information, please contact:

Jennifer Moncion
Communications Advisor, Life Sciences
Alberta Research Council
(780) 632-8409
jennifer.moncion@arc.ab.ca