Assessing Cumulative Effects of Project in W̱SÁNEĆ Territory

ÍY, SȻÁĆEL SIÁM. My name is Laurie Whitehead, I am the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council Referrals Manager. In April 2024 I had an opportunity to participate in cumulative effects training at an International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) Conference in Dublin, Ireland, on behalf of the Tsartlip First Nation. Myself and Katelyn Beale, Tsartlip Referrals Manager attended. We both coordinate the review of project proposals, that coupled with other developments in W̱SÁNEĆ territory have potential cumulative impacts on W̱SÁNEĆ rights and title. For example, the Ministry of Transport and Highways Goldstream Park Median Barrier and Malahat Highway Project, the Joint Utility Board (JUB) Sewage Treatment Plant Outfall Relocation Project, and numerous other liquid waste, mining, parks planning and cultural heritage development-related proposals and policy initiatives.

During the last week of April we took a two-day course in Cumulative Effects Assessment and attended the four-day IAIA annual conference. The course content included procedures and methods for conducting cumulative effects assessments and several case studies. It included spatial and time considerations, and approaches to assessing impacts on values that may be affected by projects. There were over 200 Indigenous delegates from Canada and several presentations on Indigenous-led impact assessments that included ways to protect and maintain cultural rights and interests. We received links to a Spirit of the Land Toolkit for Environmental Assessment (see https://fnmpc.ca/wp content/uploads/FNMPC_SOTL_Toolkit.pdf), a Chiefs of Ontario Environmental Assessment Toolkit (see https://2024.iaia.org/presentations/chiefs_of_ontario_ppt_re_iaia_workshop.pdf), and heard several interesting and informative presentations that covered topics ranging from multi-First Nation cumulative effects assessment of marine shipping in BC, to Indigenous-designed impact methods (Gitxaala), to Aboriginal law presentations by Indigenous lawyers (see https://ojen.ca/wp content/uploads/2024/01/Sara-Mainville-bio.pdf). All of the sessions had relevant ideas and approaches that could be applied to processes where projects stand to have further impacts on W̱SÁNEĆ lands and waters and treaty and other constitutionally protected rights.

For more information, contact me by e-mail at laurie.whitehead@wsanec.com. HÍSW̱ḴE SIÁM