NAN Community Engagement on the Duty to Consult

Press Release

What is the Duty to Consult?
The Duty to Consult is a legal requirement that arises when the Crown contemplates an action or decision regarding natural resource extraction (mining, forestry, etc.) that may in turn affect Aboriginal and Treaty rights.

What is NAN doing?
NAN is conducting community outreach and engagement sessions to provide information about the Duty to Consult. Surveys will be conducted to find out what you think about the Duty to Consult and how First Nations are dealing with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) will be the focus of our engagement.

How can I participate?

All NAN members are welcome to participate through the following activities:

1. Survey
   Take our online survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/nandutytoconsult

2. Interviews
   Interviews will be conducted in-person or over the phone. Interviews will be conducted at the community level by facilitators. Community members can also contact Project Leads at NAN.
   Project Leads: Luke Hunter & Joe Wheesk

3. Focus Groups
   Presentations will be made in NAN First Nations to leadership, youth, Elders, women, trappers etc.

First Nations will be contacted to schedule community visits. Notices will be posted at the community when the engagement sessions will happen. Various means will be used to notify the community members.

How this information will be used?
Information will be used to advocate for change to federal and provincial policies related to consultation, accommodation practices and UNDRIP FPIC. This information will also be used to update the NAN Consultation Handbook.

More information on the Duty to Consult:

Nishnawbe Aski Nation
NAN Consultation Handbook, 3^rd edition
NAN Ojicree Consultation Handbook, 3^rd edition 
Ojicree Flowchart 3^rd edition

Government of Ontario
https://www.ontario.ca/page/draft-guidelines-ministries-consultation-aboriginal-peoples-related-aboriginal-rights-and-treaty
https://www.mndm.gov.on.ca/sites/default/files/aboriginal_exploration_consultation_policy.pdf
https://www.ontario.ca/document/technical-guide-renewable-energy-approvals/consultation-requirements-and-guidance-preparing-consultation-report

Government of Canada
http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1100100014664/1100100014675

United Nations
http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/documents/DRIPS_en.pdf

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