2-02676

NEW LAND AND ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE FIRST NATIONS WITH INCREASED DECISION MAKING ABILITIES ON RESERVE LANDS

Ottawa, ON (June 16, 2005) - Indian and Northern Affairs Canada announced today a new land and environment management program designed to give First Nations the necessary tools to exercise more control over lands and natural resources on reserve lands.

Beginning this June, approximately fifteen First Nations communities will participate in a pilot project under INAC’s new Reserve Land and Environment Management Program. The features of the new program include expanded land and environmental management roles and responsibilities, a comprehensive training program that will support First Nations in carrying out those roles and responsibilities, and increased funding to support best business practices. The program was developed in partnership with First Nations land managers and the National Aboriginal Land Managers Association.

As the Reserve Land and Environment Management Program is piloted, participating First Nations will have an opportunity to help INAC evaluate the program. At the same time, INAC is working with the National Aboriginal Land Managers Association and the University of Saskatchewan to develop the training component of the program. These institutions are developing a professional development curriculum that will include an academic element designed to support decision making at the community level on topics such as legal systems, natural resources management, environmental studies, legal instruments and aboriginal law, as well as a technical element designed to support operations under the Indian Act.

“Building new competencies and strengthening the existing knowledge and skills of First Nations is the key to enabling them to assume new responsibilities with respect to the broadening scope and complexity of land and environmental management,” stated the Honourable Andy Scott, Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs and Federal Interlocutor for Metis and Non-Status Indians.

For more information, please contact:

Margot Geduld
Media Relations
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
(819) 994-2044

Backgrounder - First Nations Reserve Land and Environment Management Program

Reserve Land and Environment Management Program (RLEMP) FAQs

Back to News Release Index