Download - NAFF II - Aboriginal Aquaculture Engagement Initiative - What we heard - Chief Richard Harry
Aboriginal Aquaculture Engagement Initiative – What We Heard
Chief Richard Harry
Executive Director
Aboriginal Aquaculture Association
Aboriginal Aquaculture Engagement Initiative
DFO and AANC partnered with 4 organizations to obtain input from First Nations regarding opportunities, challenges and constraints in aquaculture development
• First Nations Fisheries Council (BC)
• Assembly of First Nations (Central)
• Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs (Atlantic)
• Aboriginal Aquaculture Association of Canada
2
Aboriginal Aquaculture Engagement Initiative
The AAEI was used to gather input to shape the agenda for NAFF II
• Workshop participants told us what was important to them
Input was obtained from First Nations and Aboriginal groups across the country
• 17 Tier I meetings
• 4 Tier II meetings
3
Tier 1 & Tier 2 Meetings
Host Organization Tier 1 Meetings Tier 2 Meetings
AAEI – NAFF Meetings
Atlantic Policy Congress of
First Nations Chiefs
Charlottetown PE Port Hawkesbury NS Fredericton NB Listuguj QC Conne River NL
Moncton NB
First Nations Fisheries Council Courtenay BC Kamloops BC Masset BC Nanaimo BC Port Alberni BC Port Hardy BC Prince Rupert BC
Vancouver BC (with AAA)
Aboriginal Aquaculture Assoc’n Nanaimo BC Vancouver BC (with FNFC)
Assembly of First Nations Montreal QC Saskatoon SK Other Meetings
Aboriginal Aquaculture Assoc’n
Strategic Planning Sessions
Nanaimo BC (Dec 2011)
Waubetek Business
Development Corporation
Sudbury ON (Mar 2012) Sudbury ON (Sept 2012)
4
What We Heard
Considerable interest in sustainable aquaculture development as a prospective area for employment and economic activity
• Requires access to information, resources and expertise
• Capacity building is a key requirement
• Community buy-in is essential to successful economic development
5
What We Heard
Development of a national strategy for aboriginal aquaculture development • Must be a collaborative and cooperative exercise between
Aboriginal groups, governments and industry
• Different issues in Atlantic, Pacific and inland regions must be recognized, respected and accommodated
• There appears to be more issues in-common to all First Nations
• Incorporate appropriate First Nations culture into development plans e.g. “Mimajuaqn" - making a living from natural resources with
conservation in mind
6
Guiding Principles for Aboriginal Aquaculture Development
Respect for each First Nation’s autonomy
Enhance economic development opportunities for each First Nation
Implement shared decision-making and co-operative management of resources between each First Nation and government
Ensure that First Nations realize the benefits from a sustainable aquaculture industry
Promote both socioeconomic and environmental sustainability
Source: First Nations submission to NASAPI 7
Opportunities Awareness
First Nations are interested in aquaculture for business development, stock enhancement, youth opportunities and to complement traditional values
Consideration should be given to both band-owned projects and to private businesses owned by Aboriginal groups or individuals
First Nations would benefit from aquaculture backgrounders that describe opportunities in each region of the country
8
Planning Leadership & Governance
First Nations require increased involvement in all aspects of planning, policy and management of aquaculture in traditional territories
Protocol and Impact Benefit Agreements with aquaculture corporations can provide a platform for First Nations to assume a more substantive co-management role in the aquaculture industry
Stable systems of corporate governance will enhance investor confidence, prospective partnerships and market access
Greater cooperation between First Nations can stimulate successful economic development
9
Access to Sites
It can be difficult to gain access to aquaculture production sites in traditional territories for First Nation ventures
First Nations have insufficient autonomy regarding resource access
In many cases, the best sites are already occupied
The site application process is cumbersome and expensive (red tape)
10
Training & Skills Development
The best approach seems to be via on-site training initiatives • reduced costs and complications associated with travel
• ensures participants gain practical work experience
Training must coincide with immediate employment opportunities
Learn from other First Nations that have already developed aquaculture businesses • Critical success factors
• Key pitfalls to avoid
Management training is as important as technical training
11
Partnerships
Explore partnership agreements with aquaculture corporations and with other First Nations
First Nations should define proper consultation and engagement processes so the lack of consultation is not an obstacle
Develop a partnership guidebook and deliver regional partnership workshops
12
Access to Capital
Equity Gap – the comparative inability for a First Nation community or individual to attract investment capital for a commercial venture
• Inability to pledge real and personal property on-reserve as collateral
• Risk is widely perceived to be greater for First Nations ventures
13
Access to Capital
"Asset Mapping" will help to identify First Nations’ capital that can be leveraged for economic development; e.g.
• Aquatic and land-based natural resources
• Human resources
• Existing infrastructure
• Supporting ventures and institutions (e.g. services ventures, training facilities, etc.)
14
Environmental Monitoring & Management
Lack of confidence within First Nations communities regarding the environmental performance of the aquaculture sector
First Nations involvement in delivery of environmental monitoring and reporting would improve confidence • Need to develop capacity to conduct environmental
monitoring & reporting
• Opportunity to participate in non-production side of aquaculture
• Creation of employment opportunities in remote First Nations communities
15
Aboriginal Principles for Sustainable Aquaculture
Elements of the APSA: • Third party certification program
developed by AAA • Transparency and First Nation
(Aboriginal) Inclusiveness • Social Responsibility • Environmental Responsibility • Economic Responsibility
Ahousaht First Nation & Mainstream Canada • First to receive certification
Looking Ahead
These issues will be further explored and discussed in the Aquaculture Session tomorrow • Many case studies will be presented
• Ideas will be shared amongst First Nations
Your participation and ideas are important • They will help to shape a national strategy for
aboriginal aquaculture development
• They will identify specific areas for resource investment
• They will help to define the scope of a successful economic development plan
17
Thank you for your attention
18