By Jennifer Ashawasegai-Pereira, Indigenous Engagement and Traditional Knowledge Specialist at AtkinsRéalis
As society slowly progresses along its Net Zero journey, we are becoming increasingly mindful of the challenge we currently face as a nation. We know that different solutions must be implemented to reach our climate targets and minimize the adverse effects of modern society on our planet, but these transformative projects can significantly impact lands and ways of life for numerous communities, namely Indigenous communities.
Indigenous Peoples have a deep connection with the land that spans millennia. They possess unique insights that can enrich project outcomes when properly integrated into transportation planning and decision-making processes. And only by recognizing the importance of this wealth of knowledge can we aspire to create a more sustainable future for generations to come.
As a member of the Henvey Inlet First Nation, which is an Anishinabek community in Robinson Huron Treaty Territory, where the 300 MW Henvey Inlet Wind Energy Centre was developed, I’ve been on both sides of an engagement and consultation process for a major project, and can attest to the fact that we need to establish meaningful and respectful relationships with Indigenous Peoples if we want to create a more resilient society.
And in the spirit of increasing collaboration, here are three things to consider when dealing with Indigenous communities.
It is important to be mindful of the unique cultural, social, and economic contexts and practices of local Indigenous communities. Not taking these factors into consideration can be quite costly as the key to building successful relationships with Indigenous Nations lies in a deep respect of their culture and relationship with the Land.
Since 2018, AtkinsRéalis has been leading the environmental impact assessments for two major transportation road projects in northern Ontario: The Webequie and the Northern Road Link Projects, which will connect remote communities to the provincial highway network and facilitate resource development in the Ring of Fire area.
AtkinsRealis Indigenous Engagement and Knowledge Specialist in Webequie First Nation, Treaty 9 to help gather traditional knowledge for Webequie Supply Road (WSR) Environment/Impact Assessment
A total of 22 Indigenous communities were identified by the federal and provincial governments to be consulted as part of the provincial environmental assessment and federal impact assessment process, ranging from the subarctic James Bay and Hudson Bay coastal communities to two others living in the boreal forest over 300 kilometres away from the project area.
These communities speak different languages and have different dialects. They also have different contexts and will require different approaches. The work AtkinsRéalis does in Treaty 9, where English is a second language, is a good example of how to engage Indigenous communities in their native language.
Whenever AtkinsRéalis presents to the community, everything must be translated into three languages, Cree, Oji-Cree, and Ojibwe because it is important to effectively communicate and tell stories. However, translation isn’t always enough as transportation presentations can be quite complex and require technical knowledge to fully understand them.
To facilitate this, AtkinsRéalis developed an environmental assessment glossary that adapted the technical jargon into plain English to ensure that everyone understands what is being addressed from an engineering and environmental assessment standpoint. Once the glossary was developed, the content could then be more easily translated into Cree, Ojibwe, and Oji-Cree.
During my years on the other end of a consultation process, I witnessed instances where people were handing out large binders with significant technical information in English. This approach wasn’t very successful in creating engagement, considering the people they were distributing the information to wanted things in bite-sized pieces given to them consistently by people they trusted, in a language they could understand.
Respect for Indigenous cultures demonstrates a willingness to listen and learn, and builds trust and meaningful connections. Taking the time to learn about the cultural nuances and protocols of local Indigenous communities can also help one avoid making costly mistakes.
AtkinsRéalis developed a comprehensive awareness training to improve understanding of Indigenous history and ensure that we could fully support our clients in their effort to foster strong relationships with communities. All Canadian-based AtkinsRéalis employees must enroll in this training to improve awareness and understanding of Indigenous history and communities.
To ensure the successful completion of a transportation project, meaningful engagement and consultation with Indigenous communities should be prioritized from the start of the project.
Establishing open channels of communication with leaders, Elders, and other members of the community by seeking their input and incorporating them in the project decision-making processes can lead to more inclusive and positive outcomes.
AtkinsRéalis views consultation with First Nations as a genuine opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue and collaboration. We believe that providing relevant information to First Nation communities in accessible formats and allowing them the opportunity to address their concerns ensures that diverse perspectives are heard throughout the project lifecycle. Furthermore, by providing transparent communication, we foster partnerships built on mutual trust and shared benefits.
But no one is immune to elements out of their control, and AtkinsRéalis has witnessed this firsthand when working on environmental impact assessments for the transportation road projects in Northern Ontario when the COVID pandemic hit.
AtkinsRéalis had to find ways to reach a significant number of people living in different territories for an extensive period. To keep engagement with the communities high, our team had to think outside the box and develop an innovative and entertaining way to deliver the information in the form of a live-stream radio show that can be heard throughout these 22 communities from the comfort of their living rooms or their cars. This enabled AtkinsRéalis to reach out to these communities in a consistent manner and maintain our momentum every week.
Another example of going beyond traditional consultation is when our team developed a miniature railway model to help explain a complicated section of the Webequie and the Northern Road Link projects, where the roads would have to be built in a very different way because of environmental concerns. This model was not only of great help with communicating design issues throughout that area, but also helped educate community members and alleviate some of their fears.
A common error made when building relationships with First Nations is doing it solely to fulfill regulatory requirements because, as mentioned previously, building trust with First Nations communities requires sustained, long-term commitment and engagement.
At AtkinsRéalis, we believe that harnessing the immense potential of renewable energy sources, adopting responsible transportation practices, and developing sustainable industries is not enough. We need to also build strong relationships with First Nations communities, and this requires a holistic approach that prioritizes cultural respect and meaningful engagement to create an environmentally sustainable, socially just and culturally rich future.
Transportation projects have great potential for creating economic growth for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities and First Nations communities should benefit equitably from these opportunities.
When committing to long-term relationship building, several solutions should be considered. These include fostering partnerships with the communities, offering employment, and training opportunities, and facilitating procurement processes that focus on Indigenous involvement and equitable distribution of project benefits.
Collaborating with Indigenous businesses generates employment opportunities and boosts local economies. Additionally, investing in skills training, education, and mentorship programs enables meaningful participation of Indigenous communities. These approaches yield benefits not only for Indigenous communities but for society at large.
AtkinsRéalis is committed to establishing and maintaining mutually respectful and meaningful relationships between First Nation communities, our clients, and our company. We have developed a reconciliation plan that fosters collaboration based on trust, mutual respect, and equitable benefit-sharing.
By prioritizing Indigenous voices and integrating their knowledge and perspectives into transportation projects, we can cultivate collaborative partnerships that benefit both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. This marks an important step toward advancing reconciliation and realizing our vision for a more inclusive and sustainable world.
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