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INITIATIVES
Consultation
Policy and Procedure Directives for undertaking Consultation with First
Nations
The Aboriginal Relations Branch has initiated an intra-departmental
working group and developed a draft "Discussion Paper on
Consultation with First Nations People". This document has been
designed to assist Manitoba Conservation in engaging in meaningful and
effective consultations with First Nations.
The Discussion Paper contains a set of principles that are being developed to serve as guidelines for consultation. These principles
reflect the commitment that Manitoba Conservation has made to govern in
a manner that respects Treaty and Aboriginal rights.
The Discussion Paper provides also general information about
consultation. It contains some practical advice on how to plan and
execute effective consultation and is designed to offer suggestions and
ideas, not formulas.
The Discussion Paper continues to be a work in progress. The
Aboriginal Relations Branch will be meeting with First Nations and/or
First Nation organizations to obtain input to finalize the Discussion
Paper. Following these discussions it is anticipated that work on a
consultation policy and procedure directives will proceed.
The development of a consultation policy is important, as it is a
legal requirement that the department undertake meaningful consultations
when any action(s) of government through legislation, policy or programs
infringes upon the constitutionally protected Treaty and Aboriginal
rights of First Nations. In some situations undertaking meaningful
consultations with First Nations will be a critical step in developing
and implementing actions (legislation, policy or programs).
Cooperative
Protocol to Address the Involvement of Aboriginal Peoples with Natural
Resource Management
The COSDI
Report recommended that Manitoba
Conservation partner with the Aboriginal community to develop a
Cooperative Protocol Agreement that would outline those areas in natural
resource management where Aboriginal people would be involved. It is
expected that this protocol would serve as the basis for negotiation
toward the development of other actions like co-management of natural
resources, capacity building within the Aboriginal community, formal
ongoing process for communication, information sharing, and decision
making responsibilities.
Policy of
Disposition of Birds of Prey for First Nations’ Ceremonial Use
A draft of a policy and procedures was developed for the
"Disposition of Birds of Prey for First Nations Ceremonial
Use." Elders from the Cree, Dakota, Dene, and Ojibway cultures are
providing direction respecting the content of the policy and procedures.
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