SESSION 1: Land, Water & Indigenous Connections
2023 OAIA Conference Next Generation Impact and Environmental Assessment in Ontario
Event Details
Traditional Opening & Welcoming Remarks (Gary Pritchard, Curve Lake)
⏱ 9:05 am to 9:10 am
President’s Welcome (Beth Williston)
⏱ 9:10 am to 9:15 am
Keynote Address (Gary Pritchard, Directions Conservation)
⏱ 9:15 am to 9:45 am
a. Impact of Land & Water
⏱ 9:45 am to 10:15 am
Are Impact & Environmental Assessments Still Harming Indigenous Peoples?
Development, climate change, and colonialism have undoubtedly impacted many ecosystems within Canada and the world. Forests, wetlands, rivers, and lakes all play a critical role in the spiritual and cultural life of the Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg. Through generations, the Michi Saagiig have developed relationships with the land and waters that reflect intimate local knowledge of place. Despite this history, Indigenous peoples have largely been excluded from impact assessments. This presentation will introduce participants to the Michi Saagiig and their territory, Indigenous worldviews on reclaiming, restoring, and rewilding nature, and examine how current Western approaches to ecological restoration uphold or infringe upon Indigenous Rights
Moderator:
- Kevin Hanna, University of British Columbia
Presenter:
- Gary Pritchard, CEO, Senior Ecologist, 4 Directions of Conservation Consulting Services
b. Effective Indigenous Consultation
⏱ 10:30 am – 11:00 am
The Changing Landscape of Meaningful Indigenous Engagement
This panel will share their experiences on leading projects with Indigenous engagement components across Ontario. Presenters will focus; particularly on emerging changes to the environmental impact assessment process regarding Indigenous engagement as well as how proponents are bolstering their expectations for what that engagement includes. The panel will draw on their recent project experience and present their learnings from Indigenous engagement on recent transit projects, residential developments, and Environmental Assessments. Emphasis will be placed on lessons learned, best practices, and future expectations for Indigenous engagement, with the goal of preparing the audience to adapt to the new landscape of delivering projects.
Moderator:
- Kevin Hanna, University of British Columbia
Presenters:
- Jeremiah Pariag, Consultation & Engagement Lead, HDR
- Sandy Nairn, Environmental Sciences & Planning Director, Canada, HDR
- Janine Ralph, Planning Services Cross Sector Manager, Canada, HDR
Panel Discussion: With Gary, Jeremiah, Sandy, Janine & Laura
⏱ 11:00 am -11:30 am
