2022 ICCE Virtual Conference – Day 1 Program
Cumulative Effects: A Health and Well-Being Perspective
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
10am to 1pm Pacific / 1pm to 4pm Eastern / 2pm to 5pm Atlantic
Performances
Northern Cree Singers: Summer Sunset
Daniel Wells & Alex Wells, Lil’wat First Nation: Mountain Dance
Opening Prayer
Debra Sparrow, Knowledge Keeper, Musqueam Indian Band
Emcee
Herbie Barnes, Artistic Director, Young People’s Theatre (YPT)
Graphic Artist
Corrina Keeling, Multidisciplinary Artist
Welcoming Remarks
Leona Irons, Chair, ICCE and Executive Director, National Aboriginal Lands Managers Association
Opening Remarks/Presentation
Leea Litzgus, Executive Director, ICCE
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
Indigenous Concepts of Well-Being: Sustainable Economies, Sustainable Futures
COVID-19 has shifted much of what people consider to be a “good life”. Where we once considered rising investment, growing job numbers and increasing incomes as hallmarks of life success, in a world of daily virus summaries, mandatory mask wearing and travel restrictions, a good life now is counted as having enough food, healthy friends and family, and a environment that can equally sustain our economic, health and cultural needs.
The coronavirus has highlighted how narrowly our society defined economic success as an ever-increasing cycle of production and consumption. Yet worldwide, countries are challenging this mindset, forcing policy makers to incorporate new metrics of well-being into their economy planning. This session will discuss how countries, including Indigenous people, are re-thinking how a well-being-focused economy can improve outcomes for all citizens.
Mark Podlasly, Nlaka’pamux Nation, Cook’s Ferry Band, Director of Economic Policy and Initiatives, First Nations Major Projects Coalition
Break and Musical Interlude
The Jerry Cans: Ukiuq
SESSION 1
We Move Together: Restoring Connections Between Lands, Waters and Well-Being
Addressing cumulative impacts on health and well-being demands a shift in how we understand and act. It requires new ways to move together that reflect synergies across departments, programs, disciplines and approaches in Indigenous communities.
Drawing on experiences from Wet’suwet’en territories and various collaborations across Turtle Island, Aotearoa (New Zealand) and beyond, We’es Tes Sandra Harris and Margot Parkes will share insights and examples of holistic and integrative ways to recognise the commonalities between lands, waters, and well-being, and explore the implications this has for decreasing harms and benefitting from the reciprocal nature of healthy people and healthy land.
We‘es Tes, Sandra A. Martin Harris, Communications Director, Office of the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs, Member of the Witset First Nation, PhD Researcher, University of Northern British Columbia
Margot Parkes, Professor, School of Health Sciences, University of Northern British Columbia and Member of the ICCE Technical Advisory Committee
SESSION 2
Protecting Our Waters: Eagle Lake First Nation’s Approach to Aquatic Monitoring
Migisi Sahgaigan (Eagle Lake First Nation) is located approximately 25 km west of Dryden, Ontario, on the shores of Eagle Lake. As Anishinaabeg, they abide by the Migisi Sahgaigan Maanachi Totaa-aki Declaration, which outlines their duty to protect the lands and waters, according to Anishinaabe sacred laws and teachings that have been passed down by the Creator.
Their traditional territory continues to be impacted by land and resource development projects, climate change, and pollution, including mercury contamination from former pulp mill operations. Eagle Lake and Eagle River are an important source of food and medicines, and both are culturally, spiritually, and ecologically significant. To uphold their responsibility to protect these waters, Migisi Sahgaigan has developed and implemented a community-based aquatic monitoring program to collect baseline data within the Eagle Lake watershed.
In this session, the speakers will outline how they developed an effective monitoring plan, guided by elders and land users, using both science and Indigenous knowledge. They will also outline their approach to field sampling, including youth engagement and participation, and discuss how they will use the collected water, sediment, and fish habitat data to monitor cumulative impacts to the water and watershed over time.
O’Hara Adams, Lands and Resources Department, Eagle Lake First Nation
Alison Fraser, Environmental Scientist and Human Health Risk Assessor, EnCompass Environmental Limited
Miles Pitchenese, Lands and Resources Department, Eagle Lake First Nation
Levi Snook, Environmental Consultant, EnCompass Environmental Limited
Break and Musical Interlude
Twin Flames: Taanisi
SESSION 3
Considering Well-Being and Indigenous Knowledge in Impact Assessments
The resource management system in the Mackenzie Valley of the Northwest Territories is the result of modern land claims processes and reflects the shared values of the Dene and Métis. The land claims and subsequent resource management legislation highlight the importance of understanding how proposed developments may impact on Indigenous well-being and way of life and that it should be a primary focus of any impact assessment process.
This approach reflects a more holistic worldview and lends itself to better inclusion of Indigenous knowledge and ways of knowing. Case studies on how well-being was considered in recent environmental impact assessments on resource development projects in the NWT will be presented.
Mark Cliffe-Phillips, Executive Director, Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board and ICCE Board Member
Kate Mansfield, Senior Policy Advisor, Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board
SESSION 4
Supporting Indigenous Communities in Canada Through Interactions with Project Proponents
Fort McKay Métis Nation (FMMN) are developing a tool to help Indigenous communities across Canada define and communicate their expectations to project proponents with respect to the assessment of cumulative effects. FMMN territory is located within the epicentre of Alberta’s oil sands region and is increasingly subject to the cumulative effects of industrial development.
Development pressures from forestry, mining, oil and gas exploration, agriculture, hydroelectric development, and other industries continue to impact Fort McKay Métis culture and way of life. However, little guidance is available to inform the interactions between FMMN staff and project proponents with respect to the assessment of cumulative effects. As an Indigenous community facing significant cumulative effects within its territory, and interfacing with multiple project proponents across different industries, the FMMN are uniquely positioned to explore community and proponent interactions across Canada and highlight learned lessons, guiding principles, and best practices.
The work is being undertaken using a participatory and distinctions-based approach that acknowledges the distinct rights, interests, and priorities of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. First Nation, Métis, and Inuit communities and organizations across Canada will be engaged to identify best practices and common themes within, and across each distinct group.
The outcomes of the project include:
- building community capacity;
- developing a guidance document to support Indigenous communities with their interactions with project proponents related to the assessment of cumulative effects; and
- developing a fact sheet to communicate the importance of involving Indigenous communities in cumulative effects assessment, monitoring, and management. It is anticipated that developing an Indigenous Centre for Cumulative Effects (ICCE) guidance document for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit will be a tool to support and improve outcomes for communities during interactions with project proponents.
Adi Isaac Adiele, P.Geo, M.EB., Manager, Environment & Land Use Sustainability, Fort McKay Métis Nation
Thomas Dyck, PhD, Applied Social Scientist, Integral Ecology Group
DAY 1 WRAP UP
Musical Interlude
Curt Young, International Entertainer, Singer/Songwriter, Grass Dancer, Artist and Actor, Cowessess First Nation
Click here for Program Day 2
Registration is complimentary and is now open.
Please note, registration is required to attend the conference and only registered participants will receive the link required to join the event.
Contact Us
ICCE Conference Secretariat
Micheline Bélanger