How should the ATR communications process begin in a community? Here is one scenario as an example. You have been informed through the grapevine, or through "For Sale" signs down the road, that several farms or acreages are available, and the thought has arisen that your band could certainly use extra land. This is the time to gather together your key people in the band and discuss, as thoroughly as possible,all aspects of a potential ATR, including the process (see Appendix 1), before talking to the wider community membership. Key components of your pre-ATR communications plan include:

    Develop key messages
As a first step, questions that you will be asked later which could become a source of embarrassment or difficulty should be discussed. This will help you refine your key messages to the community, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal. Some sample questions include:

• What is this proposal all about?
• Where does this ATR proposal fit with previous land claim negotiations, if any?
• Who will be the appropriate spokespersons to talk to about this ATR?
• What will be the benefits to your First Nation and to the surrounding local community, in terms of services, employment, non-reliance on welfare etc.?
• Who are some of the players involved in the ATR? Who are the buyers and sellers of land? Will local businesses be affected?
• What will be the general reaction from outside your community, including potential support or opposition?
• How do you intend to inform people of the ATR?
• Can people who have supported your consultations in the past be called on to help?

    Present unified support for the process
A consensus must be reached as to whether the band really is serious about an expansion of the reserve. This may sound like a ridiculous thought, but attention to basics can prevent negative situations from arising. It could be embarrassing later on, when the ATR process is in motion, to have one of your counsellors informing the media that you have enough land and that he or she never agreed to this acquisition process to begin with.

    Consult with key band officers
If you already have an infrastructure in place, it is imperative that senior managers of all programs, such as health, housing, social development and education, be involved in your first meetings. And because people naturally talk, news of your deliberations will leak out. It is important at this point to ensure that the facts, as they

exist, are correctly and quickly stated. For example: "The matter is being discussed as part of routine band business and no decisions or announcement of decisions are in the works at the present time. However, if and when any concrete decisions are made, the community will be fully informed."