Criteria for the Indigenous Circle of Experts

The primary task of the Circle of Experts is to co-develop a discussion paper, and as such the Circle will need a certain set of skills and knowledge. We may also ask them to help us frame the approach to engagement, and, potentially, to help as we develop drafting instructions for regulations.

Essential Criteria

Each expert must be Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, or Métis) or recommended by an Indigenous governing body and have:

• Expertise in relation to the operation of the Impact Assessment Act or provincial environmental assessment processes.
• Expertise in relation to Indigenous rights and the intersection with major projects and the legal duty to consult.
• Willingness and ability to commit their time to the work of the Circle, which is expected to meet every 2-3 weeks (virtually) throughout the Winter and Spring 2022, in addition to preparation between meetings.
• Demonstrated skills in diplomacy (e.g., respect for the interests and views of others).

In addition, an expert must have one or more of the following:

• Expertise in relation to Aboriginal and Indigenous law, treaties, title and jurisdictions, as well as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Principles Respecting the Government of Canada’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples;
• Expertise in federal environmental and/or impact assessment processes and legislative framework. Familiarity with monitoring and follow-up activities and/or Gender-based Analysis Plus and socio-economic assessment an asset.
• Experience with inter-jurisdictional/governance issues, including models and protocols for sharing or resolving governance in areas of overlapping claims or shared governance/stewardship.
• Expertise or knowledge related to best practices for Indigenous participation, collaboration, and partnership in environmental/impact assessment.
• Expertise or knowledge related to Indigenous-led assessments.
• Familiarity with First Nations tribal councils, northern corporations, modern treaty negotiations, First Nations Land Management Act and understanding of what has/hasn’t worked and what could be adapted to the impact assessment context.
• Familiarity with Inuit regional governance, northern corporations, modern treaty negotiations and understanding of what has/hasn’t worked and what could be adapted to the impact assessment context.
• Familiarity with Métis governance, modern treaty negotiations and understanding of what has/hasn’t worked and what could be adapted to the impacts assessment context.

Asset Criteria

In addition to the essential criteria, the following asset criteria may be considered:

• National and/or international recognition in the applicant’s field of expertise
• Applicable academic and/or professional credentials
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively on a council, committee or board
• Skills in mediation and/or consensus-building
• Experience in collaborative approaches working towards common outcomes and solutions.

Membership will aim to reflect the diversity of Indigenous peoples across the country including Indigenous distinction groups, gender, and age.