September Session – First Nations Engagement in BC

Thursday September 18, 2014

Registration 1pm, Speakers 2-5pm, Networking 5-6pm

SFU Harbour Centre

Aboriginal issues such as land claims, economic development and self-government pose both challenges and opportunities for those engaged in the environmental management field. Engagement and consultation with Aboriginal peoples is an increasingly important part of any major project undertaken in British Columbia, particularly in the field of resource development. Where such projects involve Aboriginal peoples or engage their interests, it is important to ensure that Aboriginal peoples are effectively involved in the process through effective consultation and engagement. The significance of effective engagement and consultation with Aboriginal peoples has recently been underlined by the Supreme Court of Canada in its groundbreaking decision on Aboriginal title in Tsilhqot’in Nation v. British Columbia.

This session will feature a series of speakers with special expertise in issues of Aboriginal governance, consultation and engagement, including practical skills and tools that can be applied during engagement and consultation efforts.  The session will also review the legal issues involved in addressing and accommodating Aboriginal interests and rights, with special emphasis on the impact of the Tsilhqot’in decision.

The agenda for this session will include presentations from the following speakers:

“Aboriginal Consultation and Engagement”
Bob Joseph – Indigenous Corporate Training Inc.

“Best Practices and Strategies”
Dan Jepsen – C3 Alliance Corp.

“Aboriginal Law Update – A Review of Recent Significant Cases”
Karey Brooks and Jeff Langlois – Janes Freedman Kyle Law Corporation