Evidence of meeting #21 for Indigenous and Northern Affairs in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was management.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
Thank you so much.
We just wanted to make sure that everyone got their final questions in.
Mr. Payne, you're the final questioner. Head us home, and then we'll be done.
Conservative
LaVar Payne Conservative Medicine Hat, AB
Thank you, Chair.
For a minute there, I thought you'd forgotten I was here.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
I would never, never forget it--but I avoid pain at all costs, usually.
Conservative
LaVar Payne Conservative Medicine Hat, AB
First of all, I'd like to thank all the witnesses for coming here today. It's very informative information you're providing us with.
Leona, I was listening to your opening remarks. I know you talked about a number of things. Of course we are doing this study on land use and sustainable economic development, so it's really important that we hear what you've said.
You did talk about a tool kit, but you also said that you're working on another tool kit, a reserve land designation tool kit, and are planning to develop that over the next year. I'm wondering if you could expand on that. What kinds of items are going to be in the tool kit? What will they do to help? How far along is the kit, and when will it actually be available?
I'm sorry, that's a lot of questions, but I thought I'd get them all in.
Executive Director, National Aboriginal Lands Managers Association
I'm glad you asked that question, because developing tool kits takes a long time, especially for difficult subject matters like designation. The designation tool kit will focus basically on the readiness to do a designation. We'll have a lot of information on the processes, templates, and best practices, and it will be very similar to our “additions to reserves” tool kit.
Because this is a Department of Aboriginal Affairs federal process, we developed the tool kit by bringing in our first nations colleagues who were experienced in designation processes, as well as our Aboriginal Affairs colleagues, on a focus group to pick their brains and to give us some best practices and templates. It's been extremely productive. We hope the tool kit will be finished at the end of this fiscal year.
Once we finish that tool kit—it's one of our deliverables—we have to give it to the Department of Aboriginal Affairs, so that they can look at it and endorse it, and that can take some time. It has to go through the regions to see if what we say is consistent with the regional variations. Our HR tool kit took a whole year, so we have to make sure that when we do develop these tool kits, the processes are right.
So it will take a year, probably, if not sooner, to get the tool kit endorsed by Aboriginal Affairs, and then once it's done, we set it for print, and then we do a pilot. We're looking to start canvassing first nations who really need this training, hopefully, next fiscal year or maybe even into the next fiscal year. Then we're looking at providing some training in probably late 2013 or 2014.
Conservative
LaVar Payne Conservative Medicine Hat, AB
In terms of the items that are going to be in the tool kit, you've touched on some of that and you touched a bit on the training. How long do you anticipate it would take to train individuals with the new tool kit?
Executive Director, National Aboriginal Lands Managers Association
We're looking at a target of about three days of training.
Conservative
LaVar Payne Conservative Medicine Hat, AB
Are there any other individuals who want to comment on that?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
You're pretty well done there, Mr. Payne, but thank you.
Is there a follow-up question? I gave additional time to the other side. If there is a follow-up question, I'm happy to give some leeway.
Conservative
LaVar Payne Conservative Medicine Hat, AB
Thank you for that; it's really important.
There are certain first nations operating under the First Nations Land Management Act, so to what extent does the certification program prepare first nations land managers to fill their responsibilities? Specifically, does the program develop land codes or environmental management agreements, and if not, what alternatives exist?
Director, Chair of the Saskatchewan Aboriginal Lands Technicians, National Aboriginal Lands Managers Association
I guess when you talk about first nations land management and RLEMP, the reserve land and environment management program, those are two separate entities, in my eyes, because one has to do with the government and the other one is just the first nation.
With regard to RLEMP.... I lost my train of thought. Can you repeat your question?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Chris Warkentin
I want to make sure that your questions are answered, Mr. Payne, but we're coming close to the end of our time.
Conservative
LaVar Payne Conservative Medicine Hat, AB
Okay, I understand that.
I'll go back and go over the question again. To what extent does the certification program prepare first nations land managers to fulfill the responsibilities transferred to first nations under the First Nations Land Management Act?
As well, is there any additional training period required, and does the program provide training on how to develop land codes oor environmental management agreements?
Director, Chair of the Saskatchewan Aboriginal Lands Technicians, National Aboriginal Lands Managers Association
The short answer is no, it doesn't. But they do have the First Nations Lands Advisory Board giving first nations help with their land codes or any questions they may have. We've been in the process of getting our land code and individual agreements certified. It took us four or five years to do it. A lot of it had to do with the northern boundary on my first nation. They're two different entities.
Executive Director, National Aboriginal Lands Managers Association
But did the training help you?
Director, Chair of the Saskatchewan Aboriginal Lands Technicians, National Aboriginal Lands Managers Association
The training did help us in regard to litigation and that type of stuff, like court cases. It kind of opens your eyes to that. The training--
Conservative
LaVar Payne Conservative Medicine Hat, AB
Are there alternative programs that would be available to help in that regard?
Director, Chair of the Saskatchewan Aboriginal Lands Technicians, National Aboriginal Lands Managers Association
Yes. I believe the First Nations Lands Advisory Board is working on training for first nations land managers; I believe I will be at training next week.
Kahkewistahaw First Nation is newly operational. We've just developed our land codes, our individual agreement, and the community ratification program. I'm looking forward to the training next week, because I do have a few questions with regard to the permitting system that I've learned through RLEMP and what the difference is between RLEMP and first nations lands management. There is a substantial difference between the two.
Conservative
Conservative
Conservative