Indigenous Peoples FPIC Protocols

DECLARATION We announce and proclaim our role as the First peoples of this territory – the original caretakers – with rights and responsibilities to defend and ensure the protection, availability and purity of the water for the survival of the present and future generations, and for all life. By the authority and responsibility given to us by the Creator we are going to make decisions related to the waters. We declare all waters that flow into and out of Big Trout Lake and all lands whose waters flow into those lake, rivers and wetlands, to be completely protected through our continued care under KI’s authority, laws and protocols. We look at protection as restoring our land and waters to their original condition and preserving them in that condition for future generations. No industrial uses, or other uses which disrupt, poison, or otherwise harm our relationship to these lands and waters will be permitted. This includes no mining, no mining exploration, no commercial logging, no spraying or dumping of chemicals, no damming, no diversion, no selling of water, no transmission or hydro electric generation projects (using the river to make electricity), no commercial biomass energy (using wood or peat to generate electricity for sale), no biopiracy (outsiders selling our plants, animals, their DNA, and our ecological knowledge without permission) and now new roads or rail. Essential Roads and electrical transmission for community use will be permitted only if the Lands and Resources office approves that they are routed so that they are outside the watershed as much as possible, following existing road corridors where possible, and take any other appropriate steps available to minimize their impact. Our traditional and contemporary use and occupancy of the lands and waters will continue, subject to regulation by KI law, and protocols. This includes fishing, hunting, trapping, gathering of food, medicine, and materials travel, cabin building, occupancy, and recreation by our people.