2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
pollution mitigation and emergency response,
compensation for damage to the ecosystem that affects our traditional territory,
environmental and health effects monitoring,
environmental research affecting our traditional territory,
education and training concerning environmental protection 1,
employment and contracting opportunities.
The early understanding and discussion of issues of concern to the First Nation, and the
identification of appropriate mitigation measures, will make a positive contribution to
effective and timely project implementation by external proponents -- or will allow
proponents to identify if the First Nation is opposed to the project, early, and before
significant resources have been spent.
Review of Proposals
After a preliminary review of project documents, the project team assembled by Chief and
Council will identify the types of resources required for the First Nation to effectively
participate in the consultation process and review the proposed project(s).
WIFN has found through experience that to thoroughly understand the implications of a
project it is necessary for adequate resources to be provided to the First Nation to enable it
to participate effectively in the consultation and review process.
The consultation and review process identifies areas of potential concern to the First
Nation, and reviews the proposed mitigation measures related to those concerns. The
following general comments are noted to assist the project proponent in understanding the
perspectives WIFN will take in reviewing the project proposal.
1. The time span within which the First Nation reviews a project is on the basis of
anticipating potential effects at least seven generations into the future.
2. Aboriginal rights of the First Nation include harvesting, hunting, fishing, and
cultural and spiritual activities.
3. In combination with scientific-based knowledge, WIFN traditional knowledge and
values will be equally considered in the project review that is completed by the
First Nation.
4. The adequacy of existing baseline studies as they relate to the proposed project
activities will be evaluated by WIFN.
5. How the project proposal addresses cumulative environmental effects will be
evaluated, i.e., assessing the Project's predicted effects in combination with the
potential effects of other existing, or planned projects and activities. Bioaccumulation issues, for example, are of particular concern to the community.
6. Effective monitoring is an important activity in assuring WIFN that the
environment is being protected to a high standard and that the resources the
community uses are unaffected.
7. Employment and contracting opportunities for WIFN in connection with a project
will have an important influence on how WIFN views the project.