Key contacts and stakeholders (continued)

Note

This information was current as of November 2015.

National Aboriginal Organizations

Assembly of First Nations

National Chief: Perry Bellegarde, (613) 241-6789, [Information was severed in accordance with the Access to Information Act]

Organizational Profile:

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) represents over 630 First Nations communities in Canada. The AFN’s mandate is to protect and promote the social, environmental, legal and cultural interests of First Nations. The AFN Secretariat is designed to present the views of the various First Nations through their leaders in areas such as: Aboriginal and Treaty Rights, Economic Development, Education, Languages and Literacy, Health, Housing, Social Development, Justice, Taxation, Land Claims, Environment, and other issues of common concern.

The AFN’s National Executive is composed of the National Chief, Regional chiefs, and the chairs of the Elders, Women’s and Youth councils. The Chiefs meet annually to set national policy and direction through resolution. Between annual assemblies, the Chiefs meet every three to four months in a forum called the Confederacy of Nations to set on-going direction. The National Chief is elected every three years by the Chiefs-in-Assembly. The current National Chiefwas elected on December 10, 2014.

Priority environmental issues for AFN include:

• Chemicals and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act – The AFN has a member on the Chemicals Management Plan Stakeholder Advisory Council;
• Climate change – the Unit conducts community-based research on climate change impacts for First Nations, and has a partnership with Health Canada to investigate impacts and adaptation;
• Environmental Health and Contaminants – The AFN participates on the National First Nations Environmental Contaminants Program steering committee;
• Species at Risk – the AFN nominates a member to the National Aboriginal Council on Species at Risk (NACOSAR);
• Convention on Biological Diversity – The AFN has been engaged in Environment Canada’s work on access and benefit-sharing to traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources; and
• Water – The AFN has conducted research on projected climate change impacts to source water and adaptation strategies for First Nations.

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami

President: Natan Obed, (613) 238-8181 x224, [Information was severed in accordance with the Access to Information Act]

Organizational Profile:

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) is the national voice of Canada’s Inuit. Founded in 1971, the organization is supported by various Inuit organizations including the Inuit Circumpolar Council-Canada (ICC), the National Inuit Youth Council, Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada, the four Inuit regional organizations:  the Inuvialuit Regional Council, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, Makivik Corporation, and the Nunatsiavut Government.

ITK’s environment mandate is to ensure that the Inuit are partners in decision-making, and that Inuit knowledge, perspectives and interests are considered in the development of environment and wildlife research, policy, legislation, and programs. ITK’s environment mandate also includes actively communicating on environmental and wildlife issues affecting Inuit, and supporting the enhancement of Inuit capacity to better address environment and wildlife priorities.
Priority environment issues for ITK include:

• Climate Change – ITK created the National Inuit Climate Change Committee, and mandated it to pursue the creation of a national Inuit strategy on climate change and giving input to ICC-Canada on how to bring Inuit perspectives to international fora;
• Northern Contaminants Program – ITK partners to co-manage the Program;
• Resource Development – Increased interest in resource development in the Arctic has brought with it a need to be informed and prepared to address the benefits and possible costs for Inuit within the four land claim regions;
• Species at Risk Act – ITK nominates a member to the National Aboriginal Council on Species at Risk (NACOSAR);
• International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) – ITK is a member of the IUCN and regularly attends the World Congress of the IUCN.  ITK is also a member of the Board of the Canadian Committee of the IUCN, and the Polar Bear Specialist Group; and
• Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) – ITK has become increasingly involved in the CITES process, as Arctic species become targets for proposed listings within the Convention.

Inuit Circumpolar Council - Canada

ICC Canada President: Duane Smith, (613) 563-2642, inuvialuk@northwestel.net

Organizational Profile:

The Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) is an NGO that represents the 150,000 Inuit of Russia (Chukotka), United States of America (Alaska), Canada, and Denmark (Greenland). Formed in 1977, the Inuit Circumpolar Council holds Consultative Status II at the United Nations, Economic and Social Council, and represents the Inuit in the international arena of environmental and social initiatives.

The ICC international office is housed with the Chair; however each member country maintains a national office under the political guidance of a president. The Canadian arm of the Inuit Circumpolar Council, Inuit Circumpolar Council (Canada), is led by a Board of Directors comprised of the elected leaders of the four land-claims settlement regions: Inuvialuit, Nunatsiavut, Nunavik, and Nunavut.

ICC Canada cooperates with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami to present the position of Canadian Inuit on international matters.

The principal goals of ICC are to:

• strengthen unity among Inuit of the circumpolar region;
• promote Inuit rights and interests on an international level;
• develop and encourage long-term policies that safeguard the Arctic environment; and
• seek full and active partnership in the political, economic, and social development of circumpolar regions.

Priority environmental issues for ICC Canada include:

• Climate Change – ICC Canada is a member of the National Inuit Climate Change Committee (NICC);
• Biodiversity – ICC Canada works to draw attention to biodiversity issues in the Arctic. The organization has observer status with the Convention on Biodiversity, as well as Permanent Participant status at the Arctic Council. ICC Canada is also concerned about Access and Benefit-Sharing Agreements under the Nagoya Protocol; and
• Mercury Issue – ICC Canada participated in discussions with Environment Canada, partner organizations and scientists during the negotiation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury and is interested in domestic implementation of the Convention.

Métis National Council

President: Clément Chartier, (613) 232-3216,  clemc@metisnation.ca

Organizational Profile:

The Métis National Council (MNC) represents the Métis Nations of Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. Established in 1983, the MNC works to move the Métis people towards self-government, established rights, and a secure place within Canada. The Council receives its mandate and direction from the Board of Governors, comprised of the democratically elected leadership of the Métis Nation's governments from Ontario westward. Overall, the MNC's central goal is to secure a healthy space for the Métis Nation's ongoing existence within the Canadian federation.

The MNC established the Métis Nation Cabinet in 2001. As the MNC works towards a Métis National Constitution, the Cabinet compliments and supports stronger governance within the Métis nation. The Cabinet is responsible for 10 portfolios, with one Minister covering each priority sector. The Cabinet structure ensures it is representative of regional and national perspectives, and aims to empower Métis citizens throughout the homeland. Cabinet portfolios include, among others, culture, heritage and language, economic development, environment, finance, rights and self-government, and social development.

Priority environmental issues for MNC include:

• Species at Risk – The MNC nominates a member to the National Aboriginal Council on Species at Risk (NACOSAR);
• Convention on Biological Diversity – The MNC is interested in biodiversity issues, including the Convention on Biodiversity and linkages to management of traditional knowledge; and
• Climate Change – TheMNC engages on climate change mitigation and adaptation issues.

Congress of Aboriginal Peoples

National Chief: Dwight Dorey, (613) 747-6022

Organizational Profile:

The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) was established in 1971 as the Native Council of Canada (NCC) to promote the rights and interests of off-reserve non-status Indian and Métis people living in urban, rural and remote areas of Canada–a population that outnumbers all other Aboriginal peoples combined.  In  1993, CAP extended its constituency to include all off-reserve status and non-status Indians, Métis and Southern Inuit Aboriginal Peoples. CAP is a nationally incorporated umbrella organization that represents the interests of its provincial and territorial affiliate organizations across Canada. The affiliates are open to over 800,000 off-reserve Indian, Inuit, and Métis people. CAP does not have individual memberships or provide programs and services directly to individuals.

CAP’s priorities are different than other national Aboriginal organizations due to the histories and circumstances of the populations it represents. Priorities include:

• The Indian Act system and its consequences, particularly for those who are excluded from registration, band membership, residency on reserve, or related programs and benefits and want to address those concerns;
• Constituency's Aboriginal and/or treaty rights, particularly for those who live in comprehensive claims areas, those who have been excluded from treaty benefits, or who are pursuing modern treaty as a vehicle for addressing their rights;
• The population's socio-demographics, particularly for those who are seeking economic parity or equity of access to policies, programs and services designed to serve the Aboriginal population; and,
• The simplicity or complexity of the Tribal/Nationality identities within regional organizations, particularly for those organizations whose membership maintains tribal affiliations, or who includes different groups who are associated with different tribal groupings.

Priority environmental issues for CAP include:

• Species at Risk – CAP nominates a member to the National Aboriginal Council on Species at Risk (NACOSAR);
• Climate change – CAP undertakes research on the impact of climate change on biodiversity and the livelihoods of Aboriginal peoples; and
• Convention on Biological Diversity – CAP is interested in opportunities to engage in Environment Canada’s work on access and benefit-sharing of traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources.

Native Women’s Association of Canada

President: Dawn Lavell-Harvard, (905) 441-4097, [Information was severed in accordance with the Access to Information Act]

Organizational Profile:

The Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC) is founded on the collective goal to enhance, promote, and foster the social, economic, cultural and political well-being of First Nations and Métis women within First Nation, Métis and Canadian societies. NWAC is an aggregate of 13 Native women’s organizations from across Canada and was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1974.

NWAC’s mission is to help empower women by being involved in developing and changing legislation which affects them, and by involving them in the development and delivery of programs promoting equal opportunity for Aboriginal women. The principles or objectives of NWAC are as follows:

• to be the national voice for Native women;
• to address issues in a manner which reflects the changing needs of Native women in Canada;
• to assist and promote common goals towards self-determination and self-sufficiency for Native peoples in their role as mothers and leaders;
• to promote equal opportunities for Native women in programs and activities;
• to serve as a resource among their constituency and Native communities;
• to cultivate and teach the characteristics that are unique aspects of our cultural and historical traditions;
• to assist Native women's organizations, as well as community initiatives in the development of their local projects; and
• to advance issues and concerns of Native women; and to link with other Native organizations with common goals.

Priority environmental issues for NWAC include:

• Species at Risk – NWAC nominates a member to the National Aboriginal Council on Species at Risk (NACOSAR), and advocates for increased participation by Aboriginal women, in all processes related to species at risk; and
• Convention on Biological Diversity – NWAC has worked with its membership to provide input on access and benefit-sharing of genetic resources.