ID: 1786
Presenting Author: Nikki Jane
Session: 710 - Indigenous Rights in Impact Assessments: Understanding Impacts Using Gender Based Analysis Plus and UNDRIP
Status: pending
A community-led RIA model integrates global norms with Indigenous knowledge, promoting self-determination, transparency, and trust while addressing misinformation & advancing rights-based IA globally
This presentation introduces a novel, participatory Rights Impact Assessment (RIA) methodology developed by the Fort Chipewyan Métis Nation (FCMN) to evaluate and protect Indigenous rights potentially impacted by industrial activity in their territories. Grounded in Section 35 of the Constitution Act (1982) and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), the approach integrates domestic law and international human rights standards. It responds to the need for operational RIA models rooted in Indigenous worldviews, governance, and cultural frameworks.
Aligned with the IAIA 2026 theme, the methodology highlights how transparent, community-led communication can counter misinformation and strengthen trust in impact assessment processes. Current RIA methods in Canada often fail to capture Indigenous values, histories, and legal traditions. FCMN’s approach extends beyond Section 35, incorporating UNDRIP-based rights and emphasizing community-defined principles.
The proposal aims to:
Present a rights-based, community-led RIA model;
Demonstrate how participatory processes improve legitimacy, credibility, and clarity of true impacts;
Explore how FCMN’s evolving “Way of Life Framework” informs RIA design and practice.
The emerging RIA model is:
Community-driven—co-developed by FCMN members, leadership, and staff;
Participatory and accessible, with transparent communication and shared assessment criteria;
Value-based, reflecting FCMN cultural, social, and spiritual priorities;
Normative, upholding human rights, FPIC, and environmental justice standards
Nikki Jane and Braya Quilty - FCMN LRD Coordinators
Coauthor 1: Braya Quilty