How Indigenous communities are protecting salmon habitat from the effects of climate change

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Climate change effects are significantly reducing the catch of salmon worldwide. Indigenous communities are taking various actions to protect salmon as a crucial food source, and not simply as a commercial and economic resource.

Salmon need cold water streams; however, with warming waters, a harmful effect of climate change, salmon become more prone to disease. Shifts in weather patterns can also wash away salmon spawning beds, while lower pH levels in the oceans (i.e., ocean acidification) reduces overall fish stocks.

Indigenous communities in British Columbia (BC) and Washington State are using climate change adaptation practices in order to protect salmon runs along the Skagit River, by creating spawning beds, and by planting shady trees in order to cool down the river. In addition, Indigenous communities in BC are calling for more emergency conservation measures to protect salmon along the Fraser River. Most recently, the First Nation Leadership Council declared the collapse of sockeye salmon stock, calling for the emergency closure of all sockeye salmon fisheries along the Fraser River and an end to all open-net salmon farming. These extreme actions are being taken by BC First Nations, alongside collaborative approaches to facilitate fisheries management and to ensure the conservation of Pacific wild salmon and their habitat.

Ultimately, Indigenous communities are taking adaptive, emergency, and legislative actions to protect salmon habitats from the harmful effects of climate change and to sustain a valuable food source for their communities.

 

By Leela Viswanathan

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Saddle Lake Cree Nation Water Vulnerability Assessment Project and Documentary

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After completing a Rural Waterline Feasibility Study in 2017 and an On-Reserve Source Water Protection Plan in 2018, the Saddle Lake Cree Nation retained Urban Systems Ltd. to complete a Climate Change and Source Water Vulnerability Assessment of the Nation’s water source, Saddle Lake, to understand the viability of the Nation’s water supply under impacts from climate change, and increased water demand due to population and economic growth. In October 2019, the Climate Change and Source Water Vulnerability Assessment was released.

Saddle Lake Cree Nation began this project by engaging our youth, elders and general membership in a dialogue about water, climate change and perceived adaptability to address water security. In past projects we have engaged our community in a similar way but have found it difficult to extend the results of the engagement and the project itself beyond those in attendance at the sessions. Because we are a community that traditionally shares knowledge through oral teachings, the idea of documenting the project in a video was proposed. The scope of this project included community engagement sessions, projecting future climate change events related to Saddle Lake, a water quantity assessment, a water quality assessment, and a documentary with the intention that this video will be used to educate our members about our impact assessment of climate change on our ability to fulfill our growing community’s basic need for water, as well as our efforts to preserve the lands, resources and culture of our people.

The community engagement sessions brought forward knowledge that validated historical hydrological modeling which informed future climate change projections. The Assessment revealed that increasing temperatures will magnify the negative impacts associated with contaminants entering the lake. To protect Saddle Lake from such impacts, the Saddle Lake Cree Nation recognized the need to implement the strategic plan previously identified in their 2017 Protection Plan. The Assessment found that Saddle Lake water levels are expected to increase, ensuring adequate water quantity for the community. Another outcome of the Assessment revealed that the water treatment plant is equipped to handle changes in water quality however additional funding is required to invest in the water treatment system and to train the next generation of operators (a vulnerability noted by this study).

Overall, the Assessment revealed that Saddle Lake will remain a viable long-term water source for the community. However, due to the importance of Saddle Lake as a water source for the community, a number of adaptation strategies were outlined for consideration and implementation to increase the resiliency of Saddle Lake and to ensure the continued supply of clean drinking water to the community. These adaptation strategies included:

  • Implementation of a buffer zone around the lake
  • Raising awareness of the Source Water Protection Plan in the community
  • Eliminate wastewater outfalls around the lake
  • Development of a water quality monitoring program
  • Development of a formal Water Treatment Plan performance monitoring program
  • Development of user-friendly summaries of day to day operations
  • Development of a standard operating procedures for the Water Treatment Plant
  • Confirmation that pathogen reduction recommendations are being met
  • Assessment of the environmental impacts of the Water Treatment Plant residual disposal
  • Hiring of an additional Water Treatment Plant operator
  • Conduct a full analysis of operations and maintenance costs for the Water Treatment Plant
  • Conduct a cost benefit analysis of continuing to operate and maintain the Water Treatment Plant
  • Completion of floodplain mapping for the lake
  • Investigation of the influence of neighboring communities and beaver damns on the inflow to Saddle Lake
  • Collect a depth profile of Saddle Lake to improve the understanding of the lake’s storage volume
  • Continue to pursue the rural waterline expansion project to improve water delivery to our homes
  • Engagement with the youth on source water protection, water treatment, and climate change
  • Conduction of a feasibility study for developing an emergency back-up water supply
  • Decommissioning of old groundwater wells

By commissioning the Climate Change and Source Water Vulnerability Assessment, the Saddle Lake Cree Nation were able to gain a better understanding of the future of their water supply, Saddle Lake, under climate change and could begin developing plans on how to address such changes.

Saddle Lake Water Treatment Plant

Figure 1. Saddle Lake Water Treatment Plant

 

Blog Article by: Saddle Lake Cree Nation

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Adapting to Climate Change through Indigenous-led Watershed Planning

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Indigenous-led watershed planning is crucial for Indigenous communities to adapt to the fast pace of climate change. A watershed is a physical area that absorbs rain and snow into underground sources of water, such as, rivers, creeks, and streams, and catches the elements in lakes, oceans, and other bodies of water that are all aboveground. Watershed planning involves the decisions that people make to determine what happens to water in an entire physical region, as well as what happens to it at the local community level.

Target 15 of the 2020 Biodiversity Goals and Targets for Canada states: “By 2020, Aboriginal traditional knowledge is respected, promoted and, where made available by Aboriginal peoples, regularly, meaningfully and effectively informing biodiversity conservation and management decision-making.” Although Indigenous inclusion in state-driven biodiversity planning, such as planning for watersheds, is important, it is not at the heart of Indigenous-led watershed planning.

Values behind Indigenous-led watershed planning, which can include interconnectedness, self-determination, education, and resilience, among others, are what make Indigenous-led watershed planning different from dominating non-Indigenous watershed planning practices. For example, water is a sacred life-source and holds cultural significance for Indigenous peoples. As noted in the First Nations Integrated Watershed Planning guidebook, created by the Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources (CIER), First Nation-led watershed planning asks different questions than non-Indigenous-led watershed planning – questions such as: “if water is alive and represents life – if we are all connected and embody an ethic of reciprocity in our decisions and daily lives – what would be the different outcomes of a watershed planning process?”

Stewardship is integral to Indigenous-led watershed planning. The National Indigenous Guardians Network (NIGN) is an Indigenous-led and Canadian federally-funded pilot project – a network of Indigenous stewards of the land, water, and ice. Inspired by a similar network of Indigenous environmental stewardship in Australia, the NGIN has engaged in watershed planning projects across Canada. Furthermore, Indigenous communities, on their own, or in partnership with universities, are creating climate adaptation plans that include watershed planning. For example, the Karuk Tribe has created its own Climate Adaptation Plan which includes practices to protect rivers and riverbeds (i.e., riparian practices). Furthermore, the Tribal Climate Tool, a partnership among Indigenous communities, including the Swinomish, and the Climate Impacts Group at the University of Washington, provides data to help Indigenous communities make their own climate adaptation decisions, by including measurements, such as rain fall and temperature.

Indigenous-led watershed planning can strike a balance among diverse cultural values, as well as needs of the natural environment, and of Indigenous communities. Some communities may consider including economic development priorities in their watershed plans too, such as energy conservation and generation projects, while protecting Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). Climate adaptation plans that are rooted in both present needs and values and future aspirations, enable Indigenous communities to adapt to environmental changes as they happen, and hold the potential to enable Indigenous people to adapt to climate change better than ever before.

 

By Leela Viswanathan

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The Indigenous Food Sovereignty Movement: Helping in the fight against food insecurity

The Indigenous food sovereignty movement promotes access to healthy food, and helps to fight food insecurity, made worse by droughts, severe floods, and other adverse weather events, which are impacts of climate change.

A key goal of Indigenous food sovereignty is to reduce the dependency of Indigenous communities on processed foods that are created by the industrial food system. By bringing together small-scale food producers and farmers, and Indigenous people who fish and hunt traditionally, the Indigenous food sovereignty movement facilitates the world-wide exchange of diverse, thousands-of-years-old practices in seed saving; catching, growing, harvesting, and storing food; and raising livestock, just to name a few. According to the Indigenous Food Systems Network, Indigenous food sovereignty is grounded in four key principles:

  1. Food is sacred and sovereign, and should not be constrained by colonial laws and practices. Human beings need to learn how to appreciate their connection to the land, plants, and animals, which are also different sources of food.
  2. Indigenous food sovereignty is action-oriented and encourages the participation of individuals, families, and communities in culturally-based day-to-day harvesting activities and strategies that can be adapted for future generations.
  3. Indigenous self-determination and food sovereignty inspire Indigenous peoples to make their own decisions about: food choices, food sources, and how much food is grown and consumed.
  4. Policy reform is central to Indigenous food sovereignty and may involve reconciling colonial economies with the values of diverse Indigenous communities.

 

By Leela Viswanathan

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Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke Undertakes a Shoreline Vulnerability Assessment

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The community of Kahnawà:ke has observed erosion of the natural shoreline over the years, with particularly high-water levels and flooding in 2017. The shoreline and flood levels have also been impacted by interventions in the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence, including construction of the seaway. With increased variability in weather patterns as a result of climate change, the community has identified a need to plan for rising water levels and shoreline erosion. In the Kahnawà:ke community, erosion & flooding poses a particular threat to houses & properties located directly on the shoreline, but also to fishing & recreation areas and a secondary drinking water inlet pipe location. We proposed to undertake a project that included a shoreline vulnerability assessment with an emphasis on the impact of climate change on shoreline erosion and flooding along the natural shoreline of the St. Lawrence River within the community of Kahnawà:ke.

We partnered with Shoreplan Engineering and with community members to complete the shoreline vulnerability assessment. Shoreplan conducted a technical coastal engineering assessment which included compiling existing data, completing a review of current & historic orthoimagery, conducting site visits to gather & quantify new data, assessing existing erosion control and the proposal of solutions to on-going erosion and flooding. The shoreline vulnerability assessment included both erosion and flood hazard assessments to determine the vulnerability of our community’s shoreline. The erosion hazard assessment allowed us to determine which structures along our shoreline are at risk of erosion in the future. The erosion hazard assessment revealed that the most significant cause of erosion on the studied shoreline was due to wind wave action, particularly at higher water levels. Wake generated by passing ships further contributed to erosion potential. The flood hazard assessment provided flood hazard limits to our community to help direct future development. It was discovered that a 20-year return period west-wind storm occurring at the 100-year water level will cause uprush that will overtop the riverbank and protection structures everywhere along the study area.

In addition to these field activities, we also hired a community member to conduct public awareness campaigns that addressed climate change in general as well as specifically in relation to this project. The hired community member also distributed a survey to land holders within the project study area to gauge impressions of erosion and flooding on land holder’s properties. Lastly, we hosted an open house event to provide additional information and gather input from the community.

A list of proposed options to address erosion and flooding along the shoreline were provided and tailored to specific reaches of the shore. These methods prioritized ‘soft’ solutions while also outlining the key characteristics for successful implementation of more engineered solutions if an individual landholder choses that approach. Among the natural methods it was suggested to use and enhance vegetation species already present on the landscape to reduce the erosive effects of wave action. This could include the implementation of a planting program with the goal of planting more of these local species of vegetation.  Infrastructure solutions discussed included the use of revetments, stacked armour stone walls, bulkheads or seawalls, groynes, breakwaters, and bioengineering alternatives.

 

Blog post: Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke

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Gardens and Climate Change – How Growing a Resilient Garden Helps Fight Global Warming

It’s the time of year when people across Turtle Island are turning to their gardens for food and for enjoyment. Fresh food from the garden supports health and wellness which improves our resilience as human beings. Growing a resilient garden also supports Mother Earth as the climate changes.

A garden (or a person) is resilient when it’s able to bounce back after facing extreme conditions. By learning different resilient gardening techniques, we can help our gardens withstand extreme weather caused by climate change. Practices that make gardens more resilient include, minimizing digging and ploughing (often called tilling), avoiding artificial fertilizers and chemical pesticides, and including native plants. Planting perennials, the kinds of plants that aren’t weeds, but that, like weeds, come back every year without much maintenance, also contribute to making gardens more resilient to climate change in every season.

Indigenous gardens can play a key role in promoting intergenerational cooperation and sharing Traditional Knowledge about food and the environment. For example the Winyan Toka Win Garden a program of the Cheyenne River Youth Project has met the needs of elders who want traditional foods, and Lakota youth who can learn to better reconnect with the land and with each other. These gardens help build resilient communities and serve as community spaces for hands-on learning. Gardens become outdoor classrooms and contribute to Indigenous land-based learning and Indigenous food sovereignty to fight climate change.

With global warming, the growing season across Turtle Island has become longer. Learning to grow a garden that can adapt to a wide variety of growing conditions is an important factor in adapting to global warming and climate change. So, maybe the next time you admire your Three Sisters Garden grow, or the purple-stemmed asters or another native wildflowers where you live, remember that these plants help build the resilience of all of us, and Mother Earth, to climate change.

 

By Leela Viswanathan

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Mi’kmaq Confederacy of Prince Edward Island Supports Communities in Adapting to Climate Change

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Since 2013, the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of Prince Edward Island (MCPEI) has supported the communities of Lennox Island and Abegweit First Nations in preparing and adapting to climate change impacts.

Recent studies have shown that climate change is contributing to sea-level rise, coastal erosion, and increased storm surges on Prince Edward Island, putting communities such as Lennox Island at risk. Coastal residences, critical community infrastructure, sacred grounds, and medicinal plant sites are all under threat from climate change and we needed to prepare for these challenges.

Having the community identify their priorities and concerns has been integral to the success of this project. We hosted workshops with Lennox Island and Abegweit First Nations to identify and prioritize key climate risks to the community. Issues related to emergency response and human health, vulnerability of infrastructure, sea-level rise, coastal flooding, and vulnerability of traditional fishing and hunting areas were identified as key concerns by the community. “Climate change adaptation and the protection of our home, Lennox Island, is one of the most pressing challenges we face today” stated Chief Darlene Bernard of Lennox Island First Nation. “We appreciate the partnerships that have formed to help us achieve that goal.”

We also partnered with the University of Prince Edward Island’s Climate Land and Simon Fraser University’s Spatial Interface Research Lab on the Coastal Impact Visualization Environment (CLIVE). CLIVE combines historical erosion data, model projections of sea-level rise, aerial imagery, and high-resolution digital elevation data to draw map out coastal erosion and future sea-level rise scenarios. By using 3D game engine technology, CLIVE is able to communicate climate change information to community members that is visual and easy to understand.

We are planning future activities that will include continued community consultations, development of an archeological climate change risk assessment tool, and training on how to operate UAVs for community members. Our project will culminate in the development of an adaptation plan that will help our communities improve their resiliency to climate change.

Caption: Audience at Lennox Island (PEI) attending community workshop on climate change

 

Blog Post from: Mi’kmaq Confederacy of Prince Edward Island

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The Imalirijiit Program: A Community-Based Environmental Monitoring Program of the George River Watershed in Nunavik, Quebec

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The Imalirijiit (Those who study water in Inuktitut) Program began in 2016 following a partnership between local organizations in Kangiqsualujjuaq (Nunavik, Quebec), and a group of university-based researchers. Kangiqsualujjuamiut were concerned about the possibility of a rare earth elements (REE) mining project starting its operations in the upper watershed of the George River (Strange Lake). The George River is essential to the traditional activities of fishing, hunting and gathering and the community wanted to start its own long-term community-based environmental monitoring program to collect baseline (or reference) data before any mining activities impact the water and environment quality in the watershed.

The Imalirijiit program includes Science land camps (Nunami Sukuijainiq), training workshops, and biomonitoring of atmospheric, aquatic and terrestrial conditions in the George River watershed, as well as interactive mapping of land use and local knowledge.

The community aims to track changes in its changing environment, especially by involving the youth in environmental stewardship. Among other things, they are studying the evolution of vegetation over the last 50 years in the river’s watershed. They are also developing a component for monitoring the abundance and characteristics of locally available shoreline country food species (Tininnimiutait), such as seaweeds (kuanniq), mussels (uviluq), clams (ammuumajuk) and other animals that are harvested or that provide a food source for the harvested species in Nunavik marine waters. This new aspect aims to enhance the dietary quality of these organisms and improve our food security and sovereignty.

Imalirijiit intends to stimulate interests toward science, and provide scientific educational and training opportunities for youth and other community members, through a land-based and hands-on approach. It also fosters intergenerational and intercultural knowledge exchanges and provides local jobs (see Figure 1).

Figure 1. Objectives of the Imalirijiit Program.

Figure 2. 2019 Science Land Camp.

Figure 3. Collection of macroinvertebrates in the sediments at the bottom of a small tributary of the George River.

Figure 4. Collection of lichens for monitoring the air quality.

Figure 5. Tree coring to characterize the tree population (e.g. age and growth).

 

 

Look at our 2019-2020 report!
IMALIRIJIIT and NUNAMI SUKUIJAINIQ – Winter 2020. Results Summary for Community Organizations and Contributors.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WfWKju-C-QiZ9mGxe96hEYZEuLLEozWK/view?usp=sharing

Watch our videos!
NUNAMI SUKUIJAINIQ, 2020. Short documentaries series about the 2019 Science Land Camp on the George River, Nunavik.
10 minutes version: https://youtu.be/5MxC73SW-pw
4 minutes version: https://youtu.be/EUhdCs7Aodg
1-minute trailer: https://youtu.be/Qdmi9katTQg

Visit our websites!
http://www.imalirijiit.weebly.com
http://www.nunamiskuijainiq.weebly.com

 

Article By: The Imalirijiit Team, June 2020.

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Adaptation Canada 2020 Welcomes Indigenous Participants

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Since August 2019, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada’s Climate Change and Clean Energy Directorate has partnered with the First Nations Health Authority, Fraser Basin Council, and Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council on supporting an Indigenous delegation to attend the Adaptation Canada 2020 conference in Vancouver on February 19-21, 2020. The conference brought experts and leaders from diverse sectors, regions, and jurisdictions to bring forth solutions to the most important global challenge of our time — how to build climate change resilience in our communities, ecosystems and economy.

Indigenous peoples have been adapting to environmental change for millennia and have a wealth of knowledge to share of how climate has been changing and ways we can adapt. As such, Fraser Basin Council and other partners strived to have a strong Indigenous representation at Adaptation Canada 2020 and encouraged First Nations, Inuit, and Metis groups to submit project abstracts. Some of the abstract themes included: raising awareness of climate impacts, addressing climate change inequalities, strengthening capacity building, showcasing adaptation solutions, and promoting ecological resilience in communities. The call for abstracts was met with a resounding response — over 30 Indigenous presenters were scheduled to present their projects, and over 90 Indigenous delegates attended the conference. This overwhelming response speaks to the growing network of Indigenous adaptation leaders from across Canada who are leading innovative climate change adaptation projects, including a number of youth-led initiatives.

One such example is a group of teenagers from Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories who produced a 22-minute documentary on climate change. The documentary “Happening to us” aired in Chile in December 2019 at the 2019 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. A few youth from the community had the opportunity to travel to Chile. Indigenous delegates attending the conference were fortunate to see a screening of the documentary.

Indigenous delegates were also invited to participate to a networking event one day prior to the beginning of the conference. The purpose of the gathering was to provide a space where Indigenous peoples could network with one another and learn more about what other participants are doing to address climate change in their respective communities. The conference also hosted an Indigenous gathering space at the conference venue. This space was available to Indigenous participants to gather, reflect, share, network, practice and celebrate their cultures and traditions throughout their time at the conference. Two Elders were on-site to provide council, support and general assistance during the conference.

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Funding Opportunity – Indigenous Fund for Community-Based Environmental Monitoring (Deadline – March 10, 2020)

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Program Overview

In December 2017, the governments of Canada and Alberta renewed their commitment to provide clear and scientifically rigorous information about the environmental impacts of oil sands development in northeastern Alberta. This commitment also called for greater collaboration with representatives from local Indigenous communities to encourage Indigenous involvement in monitoring priorities and decisions.

The Government of Canada has committed up to $2 million annually to develop capacity for community-based environmental monitoring in the oil sands region that is designed and led by Indigenous communities. This funding opportunity will build capacity and provide an opportunity for community leadership in environmental monitoring design and implementation.

Environmental monitoring involves the systematic collection of samples and specimens from the air, water and land to determine the extent of impacts on the natural ecosystems and habitats. Project requirements are to be established by the community and based on their priorities.

While this opportunity complements the Oil Sands Monitoring (OSM) program in terms of its geographic scope and with its focus on environmental monitoring, the funding is separate from that of the OSM Program. Communities are not limited to environmental monitoring of impacts of oil sands development, but can consider environmental monitoring more generally in the oil sands region, or as it relates to ongoing or proposed resource development in the oil sands region.

Available Funding

The total amount of funding available under this program is up to $2 million annually. Owing to currently funded projects, there is $250,000 in funding available for new projects in 2020-2021. A project can run from one to three years and it is expected that funding will be in the range of $150,000 per year. However, consideration will be given to projects whose costs are higher or lower than this amount.

Who can apply?

Indigenous communities are eligible to receive funding through this program if they are located within the Oil Sands Monitoring (OSM) program boundaries (defined by provincial oil sands deposits layer) or with a designated interest in the OSM area (defined by the 160-km interim buffer as per Alberta Environment and Parks’ Métis Harvesting Policy 2010). This includes those First Nations, Métis Organizations and Métis Locals listed in the following table.

Indigenous communities can work with external partners, as long as their roles and responsibilities are clearly detailed in the project proposal. Examples of external partners include:

– other Indigenous communities

– federal, provincial, or regional governments

– non-governmental organizations

– academic institutions

– consultants

First Nations

Métis Organizations

Métis Nation of Alberta Locals

Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation

Buffalo Lake Métis Settlement

#100 Bonnyville

Beaver Lake Cree Nation

East Prairie Métis Settlement

#116 West Parkland

Bigstone Cree Nation

Elizabeth Métis Settlement

#125 Fort Chipewyan

Chipewyan Prairie Dene First Nation

Fishing Lake Métis Settlement

#1886 & #2085 Edmonton

Cold Lake First Nation

Gift Lake Métis Settlement

#1909 Lakeland

Dene Tha’ First Nation

Kikino Métis Settlement

#1929 Valleyview

Driftpile Cree Nation

Peavine Métis Settlement

#193 Conklin

Duncan’s First Nation

MNA Region 1

#1935 Fort McMurray

Fort McKay First Nation

MNA Region 2

#1949 Owl River

Fort McMurray First Nation

MNA Region 5

#1954 Big Bay /

Touchwood Lake

Frog Lake First Nation

MNA Region 6

#1990 Grande Prairie

Heart Lake First Nation

#1994 Cadotte Lake

Horse Lake First Nation

#207 Fairview

Kapawe’no First Nation

#2002 Buffalo Lake

Kehewin Cree Nation

#2010 Athabasca Landing

Little Red River Cree Nation

#2012 Lloydminister

Loon River First Nation

#2020 Fort McMurray

Lubicon First Nation

#2097 Lac la Biche

Mikisew Cree First Nation

#55 Gunn

Onion Lake Cree Nation

#78 Peace River

Peerless Trout First Nation

#780 Willow Lake (Anzac)

Saddle Lake Cree Nation

#83 Fort McKay

Sawridge First Nation

#90 Wabasca

Sucker Creek First Nation

Swan River First Nation

Tallcree First Nation

Whitefish (Goodfish) Lake First Nation

Whitefish Lake (Atikameg) First Nation

Woodland Cree First Nation

Project Considerations

Projects are to consider the following key components as they relate to environmental monitoring:

– Community-driven or supported initiative

– Encourage action towards the protection, conservation and positive impact on the environment

– Inclusive of relevant knowledge, which could include, but is not limited to, Indigenous Knowledge and science

– Opportunities for training and/or youth engagement

– Data management plan to collect, manage, store and share data resulting from the project

The following are examples of types of projects that may be considered eligible:

– Increase the capacity to engage effectively in environmental management, and assess results and progress, as well as undertake activities related to networking, sharing of information and outreach

– Produce scientific research and monitoring related to ecosystem status, assessment and reporting, as well as research into the development of new technologies related to those issues

– Awareness, training, outreach or behavioural change projects on a specific environmental issue

– Establish, coordinate and update local or regional action plans and strategies

– Restoration of areas of concern or of special interest

How to apply?

1. Confirmation of community support for the proposed project is required. Proposals that are submitted without this confirmation will not be considered further.

2. Complete a project proposal, which must address, at minimum, the following key components.

– Title of the project/initiative

– Description of responsible community, organization or individual: this should include, but not be limited to, contact, expertise, and role in the project

– Description of partners: this should include, but not be limited to, information on all partners to the project, their expertise, and role in the project

– Location and duration: specify the project duration and location

– Project summary: provide a general overview of the project, including objectives and rationale, as well as alignment with this program

– Proposed work plan: detail how the applicant will scope, implement, and manage the project’s goals within the planned budget for the full duration of the project

– Expected results: specify expected results and how achievement of these results might be measured

– Project costs: summary of project costs, including a statement of the funds required from ECCC, and of other cash and in-kind contributions secured for the full duration of the project

3. Submit the project proposal and letter of community support by email to ec.surveillancedessablesbitumineux-oilsandsmonitoring.ec@canada.ca. The deadline for project proposal submission is midnight Eastern Time on Tuesday, 10 March 2020.

For more information

Inquiries can be directed to ec.surveillancedessablesbitumineux-oilsandsmonitoring.ec@canada.ca.

Next Steps

All applicants will receive an acknowledgement of receipt of their proposals. An evaluation committee will review the proposals based on the program goals and requirements. All applicants will be notified as to the outcome of this evaluation. Successful applicants will be required to provide input into the contribution agreement detailing the terms and conditions of funding.

 

NOTE: Click here for PDF (Printable) version of this posting.

 

French version below:

Fonds autochtone pour la surveillance environnementale communautaire

Aperçu du programme

En décembre 2017, les gouvernements du Canada et de l’Alberta ont renouvelé leur engagement à fournir des données claires et scientifiquement rigoureuses sur les impacts environnementaux de l’exploitation des sables bitumineux dans le nord-est de l’Alberta. Cet engagement préconisait également une plus grande collaboration avec les représentants des collectivités autochtones locales afin d’encourager les Autochtones à s’investir dans les priorités et les décisions en matière de surveillance.

Le gouvernement du Canada s’est engagé à verser jusqu’à 2 millions de dollars par année pour développer une capacité en matière de surveillance environnementale communautaire dans la région des sables bitumineux conçue et dirigée par les collectivités autochtones. Ce financement permettra de renforcer la capacité et favorisera le leadership communautaire pour la conception et la mise en oeuvre d’une surveillance environnementale.

La surveillance environnementale englobe la collecte systématique d’échantillons et de spécimens de l’air, de l’eau et des terres afin de déterminer l’étendue des répercussions sur les écosystèmes naturels et les habitats. Les exigences liées aux projets seront établies par la communauté et en fonction de ses priorités.

Bien que cette opportunité complémente le programme de surveillance des sables bitumineux (SSB) en termes de portée géographique et de concentration sur la surveillance environnementale, le financement est distinct de celui du programme SSB. Les collectivités ne sont pas limitées à la surveillance environnementale des impacts du développement des sables bitumineux, mais peuvent tenir compte de la surveillance environnementale plus générale, ou en ce qui concerne le développement en cours ou proposé des ressources dans la région des sables bitumineux.

Financement disponible

Le montant total de financement disponible dans le cadre de ce programme ira jusqu’à 2 000 000 $ par année. En raison des projets actuellement financés, 250 000 $ de financement sont disponibles pour de nouveaux projets en 2020-2021. Un projet peut durer de un à trois ans et le financement pourrait alors être de l’ordre de 150 000 $ par année. Toutefois, les projets dont les coûts sont supérieurs ou inférieurs à ce montant seront aussi pris en compte.

Admissibilité

Les collectivités autochtones qui se trouvent dans les limites du programme de Surveillance des sables bitumineux (SSB) (définies par les couches de dépôts de sables bitumineux) ou ayant un intérêt désigné dans la région de SSB (définie par une zone tampon provisoire de 160 km conformément à la Politique sur la récolte des Métis de 2010 du ministère de l’Environnement et des Parcs de l’Alberta). Il s’agit des Premières Nations, des organisations de Métis et des sections locales de l’association de la Nation métisse (ANM) de l’Alberta indiquées dans le tableau ci-dessous.

Les collectivités autochtones peuvent collaborer avec des partenaires externes, dans la mesure où leurs rôles et responsabilités sont clairement décrits dans la proposition de projet. Voici des exemples de partenaires externes :

– autres collectivités autochtones;

– gouvernements fédéral, provinciaux ou régionaux;

– organisations non gouvernementales;

– établissements d’enseignement;

– experts-conseils.

Premières Nations

Organisations de Métis

Sections locales de l’ANM de l’Alberta

Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation

Buffalo Lake Métis Settlement

#100 Bonnyville

Beaver Lake Cree Nation

East Prairie Métis Settlement

#116 West Parkland

Bigstone Cree Nation

Elizabeth Métis Settlement

#125 Fort Chipewyan

Chipewyan Prairie Dene First Nation

Fishing Lake Métis Settlement

#1886 & #2085 Edmonton

Cold Lake First Nation

Gift Lake Métis Settlement

#1909 Lakeland

Dene Tha’ First Nation

Kikino Métis Settlement

#1929 Valleyview

Driftpile Cree Nation

Peavine Métis Settlement

#193 Conklin

Duncan’s First Nation

MNA Region 1

#1935 Fort McMurray

Fort McKay First Nation

MNA Region 2

#1949 Owl River

Fort McMurray First Nation

MNA Region 5

#1954 Big Bay /

Touchwood Lake

Frog Lake First Nation

MNA Region 6

#1990 Grande Prairie

Heart Lake First Nation

#1994 Cadotte Lake

Horse Lake First Nation

#207 Fairview

Kapawe’no First Nation

#2002 Buffalo Lake

Kehewin Cree Nation

#2010 Athabasca Landing

Little Red River Cree Nation

#2012 Lloydminister

Loon River First Nation

#2020 Fort McMurray

Lubicon First Nation

#2097 Lac la Biche

Mikisew Cree First Nation

#55 Gunn

Onion Lake Cree Nation

#78 Peace River

Peerless Trout First Nation

#780 Willow Lake (Anzac)

Saddle Lake Cree Nation

#83 Fort McKay

Sawridge First Nation

#90 Wabasca

Sucker Creek First Nation

Swan River First Nation

Tallcree First Nation

Whitefish (Goodfish) Lake First Nation

Whitefish Lake (Atikameg) First Nation

Woodland Cree First Nation

Considérations relatives aux projets

Les projets doivent envisager les éléments clés suivants en matière de surveillance environnementale :

– initiative appuyée ou dirigée par la collectivité;

– encouragement de la protection de l’environnement, sa conservation et des répercussions positives sur l’environnement;

– intégration de connaissances pertinentes, comme, mais pas seulement, des savoirs autochtones et des connaissances scientifiques;

– possibilités de formation ou de participation des jeunes;

– plan de gestion des données visant à collecter, à gérer, à conserver et à échanger les données découlant du projet.

Voici des exemples de types de projets pouvant être considérés comme admissibles.

– Accroître la capacité à participer efficacement à la gestion de l’environnement, à évaluer les résultats et les progrès, ainsi qu’à entreprendre des activités liées au réseautage, à l’échange d’information et à la sensibilisation.

– Produire des recherches scientifiques et des activités de surveillance liées à l’état de l’écosystème, à l’évaluation et à la production de rapports, ainsi que des recherches sur le développement de nouvelles technologies liées à ces enjeux.

– Projets d’éducation, de formation, de sensibilisation ou de changement de comportement sur un enjeu environnemental précis.

– Établissement, coordination et mise à jour de stratégies et de plans d’action locaux ou régionaux.

– Restauration des secteurs préoccupants ou d’intérêt particulier.

Comment présenter une demande?

1. Obtenir la confirmation de l’appui de la collectivité au projet proposé. Les propositions soumises sans cette confirmation seront rejetées.

2. Remplir une proposition de projet qui doit contenir, au minimum, les principaux éléments suivants :

– le titre du projet ou de l’initiative;

– la description de la collectivité, de l’organisation ou de la personne responsable, notamment ses coordonnées, son expertise et son rôle dans le projet;

– la description des partenaires, notamment des renseignements sur tous les partenaires du projet, leur expertise et leur rôle dans le projet;

– le lieu et la durée du projet;

– le résumé du projet, qui fournit un aperçu général du projet, y compris ses objectifs et sa justification, et la façon dont il s’inscrit dans le programme;

– le plan de travail proposé, indiquant en détail la façon dont le demandeur définira, mettra en oeuvre et gérera les objectifs du projet dans les limites du budget prévu pendant toute la durée du projet;

– les résultats attendus et la façon dont la réalisation de ces résultats sera mesurée;

– les coûts du projet résumés, notamment l’énoncé des fonds demandés à ECCC ainsi que des autres contributions en espèces et en nature obtenues pour toute la durée du projet.

3. Envoyer la proposition de projet et la lettre de soutien de la collectivité par courriel à ec.surveillancedessablesbitumineux-oilsandsmonitoring.ec@canada.ca. La date limite de présentation des propositions de projet est le mardi 10 mars 2020, à minuit (heure de l’Est).

Pour de plus amples renseignements

Les demandes de renseignements peuvent être envoyées à l’adresse suivante : ec.surveillancedessablesbitumineux-oilsandsmonitoring.ec@canada.ca.

Prochaines étapes

Tous les demandeurs recevront un accusé de réception de leur les propositions. Un comité d’évaluation examinera les propositions en fonction des objectifs et des exigences du programme. Tous les candidats 4

seront informés du résultat de cette évaluation. Les candidats retenus devront fournir leurs commentaires sur l’accord de contribution précisant les modalités du financement.

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