The Saugeen Ojibway Nation is adding a new dimension to its consultation protocols, and it's hosting a two-day conference to further develop it.
Under Saugeen’s Chief Randall Kahgee and Nawash’s Chief Ralph Akiwenzie, the Ojibway Nation was among the first to push for consultation.
Now they are adding the phrase "Free, Prior and Informed Consent" to the protocols.
It's a phrase adopted from the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and it’s something the federal government is thinking about implementing.
A two-day conference in Collingwood next week will examine what it means for First Nations, governments and proponents wanting to develop projects in First Nations’ traditional territories.
The conference is scheduled for October 25 and 26 at the Blue Mountain Inn Conference Centre in Collingwood.
Some of the speakers are:
- Richard Kahgee, former Saugeen Chief, now with Pape, Salter Teillet – will speak on Nuclear issues.
- Kate Kempton, partner at Olthuis, Kleer & Towshend – litigation and negotiator for FNs in several areas.
- Hayden King, from Beausoleil FN and ED of the new Yellowhead Institute – speaking on Indigenous nationhood.
- Russel Diabo, Policy Advisor to Alqonquin FNs and former candidate for Grand Chief of AFN.
- Doran Ritchie, Resources Manager, SON Environment Office – SON lead on consultations with proponents.
"Reconciliation means many things," said Michael Johnston, manager of the SON Environmental Office. "But of all the forms it can take, perhaps none is as important as reconciliation with aki – that word includes the air and the water and all who live in them. Everything we have comes from the land yet, as the climate is telling us, we have not been treating her well. The idea of this Free, Prior and Informed Conference is to find ways of working together for the sake of the land."