A key aspirational goal for effective First Nations Engagement and Consultation processes is to win the hearts and minds of the Community and their citizens about the benefits and support for the future of a minerals exploration project.
Early engagement begins before a project is designed in order to include First Nation perspectives at all stages and scales.
Engagement communication occurs on a continuous basis throughout the life of a project.
The intention of engagement is to understand First Nation values and find ways to support and enhance these values through the project.
A good working knowledge of First Nation's history, rights, governance framework, and structures will facilitate effective engagement and consultation.
Be prepare to engage and consult in a manner that is preferred by the First Nation.
Expect the engagement and consultation process to be responsive to First Nation workload, delays, and competing interests.
All First Nations have aboriginal right and interests throughout their traditional territory while Settled First Nations have land claim and self-government agreements with decision-making authority. It is important to recognize the stage of each First Nation in regards to self-government development and negotiations with the federal government to design an engagement process that respects the community and the current stage of their government-related structures.
Actively seek opportunities to meet with elders and other traditional users to participate in activities on the land to gain a fundamental experience of Firt Nations issues and concerns and make a personal connection to citizens.
Create mechanisms to ensure clear and effective communications, such as a Community Engagement Coordinator or an Engagement Committee composed to First Nations citizens and corporate management.
Ensure tradiational activities such as hunting and gathering, general assembilies, and potlatches are accommodated in terms of schedules, priorities, workplans and engagement/consultation related meetings.
Design community meetings to be a two-way exchange of project information and community priorities and traditional practices information. Recognize the dual functions of exchanging information and relationship building.
Ensure that First Nations engagement and consultation forms a core component of the corporate business in the same manner as understanding the rocks for exploration projects.
Prepare a strategi plan and workplan for engagement and consultations and be prepared to share it with First Nations and adjust as necessary to meet issues and concers.
Incremental agreements support relationship development and builds trust between the parties as the project evolves.
Be prepared to negotiate a project agreement that includes areas such as mutual responsibilities, financial commitments, communincations protocols, records of meetings, First Nations support and consultations schedules, information sharing and confidentiality requirements.
Assign senior management personnel to the engagement process and ensure that this is a corporate priority for the life of the project.
Consider types of financial, technical and logistical support that can be provided to First Nations to facilitate the engagement process. Look for opportunities to use corporate resources to create a lasting community benefit.
