ID: 1525
Presenting Author: Justine Keefer
Session: 710 - Indigenous Rights in Impact Assessments: Understanding Impacts Using Gender Based Analysis Plus and UNDRIP
Status: pending
This presentation will emphasize the importance of Nation-directed management approaches, such as ACFNs Water Policy, to strengthen trust and public engagement in state CEAM processes.
Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN) is experiencing rapid development in their traditional territories that has a direct impact on their ability to exercise their Indigenous and treaty rights in accordance with Dené Law. ACFN’s traditional territory includes the lands used for oil sands extraction in Northeastern Alberta, an activity that has a history of poor cumulative effects assessment and management (CEAM) by the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER). In response to the AERs lack of meaningful management, ACFN has developed a Water Policy that is informed by their Dené Law to strengthen management of the Athabasca River for the protection of the exercise of Aboriginal and treaty rights.
This presentation will discuss the following research questions: What policies, legislation and frameworks exist to manage cumulative effects in the Peace-Athabasca region? How are these policies aligned/in conflict with ACFNs Water Policy? Staff with ACFNs Dené Lands and Resource Management will provide an overview of the Water Policy and will lead discussion on how the ACFN Water Policy’s requirements for water quality, quantity and consultation can direct a new approach to CEAM in Alberta. In an age of disinformation, Nation-directed management policies, such as ACFNs Water Policy, are important tools for strengthening both trust in state CEAM regimes, and public engagement processes.
This presentation is provided by ACFNs Dené Lands and Resource Management staff, and supported by Justine Keefer (Ph.D candidate) and Prof. Deborah Curran from the University of Victoria.
Coauthor 1: Keji Banjoko
Coauthor 2: Callie Davies- Flett
Coauthor 3: Janelle Flett
Coauthor 4: Deborah Curran