Wîyôw’tan’kitaskino (Our Land is Rich): (Winter 2015) Building on past studies by Mikisew and Firelight, this work took an innovative community-based approach to assess effects of a large proposed oil sand mine on Mikisew Cree culture and rights. The work combined oral histories, knowledge circles (focus groups), archival review, and other methods to get beyond use and occupancy mapping and develop more culturally informed baselines and thresholds of acceptable change. The assessment was organized across three main areas: cultural practice, subsistence rights and Mikisew stewardship. Deliverables included a final written report and a video to help reviewers understand the importance of Mikisew connections to water and land through hearing the voices of Mikisew experts and knowledge holders. Primary team members were Craig Candler, Molly Malone, and Ginger Gibson. External peer review was provided by Terre Satterfield of UBC.
As Long as the Rivers Flow: Athabasca River Knowledge, Use and Change (Fall 2010) The Firelight Group worked with the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and Mikisew Cree First Nation to understand how Athabasca River levels and water quality change are affecting the practice of Treaty rights downstream from large oil sands facilities. Based on detailed mapping of river knowledge, use, and existing impacts, the study documents and maps a clear relationship between water quality, water levels, and the ability of First Nations to practice Treaty rights on the lower Athabasca River, in the delta, and on adjacent rivers and streams. Download
Asi Edee T’seda Dile: Tłı̨chǫ Nation Traditional Knowledge and Use Study for the Proposed NICO Mine Project (Fall 2012) The Firelight Group worked with the Tłı̨chǫ to conduct a knowledge and use study in relation to Fortune Minerals Ltd. proposed NICO Mine project. The primary goal of this study was to articulate Tłįchǫ knowledge and use values related to the proposed project area, including: use by and importance of the area to Tłįchǫ citizens (historical, current, and future); existing areas of lost use resulting from impacts by past developments in the area; and how the project is likely to influence Tłįchǫ knowledge and use, including the practice of aboriginal and Treaty rights, within and adjacent to the proposed project footprint. Download
Tusaqtavut (What We Heard) Studies for the Qikiqtani Inuit Association (2019-2021) The Firelight Group worked with the Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) to conduct Inuit knowledge and use studies in relation to Baffinland's Mary River Project, a major iron ore mine on northern Baffin Island. The study mapped Inuit knowledge and use - including Inuit Quajimajatuqangit and Inuit values around the project area - with five communities, Pond Inlet, Arctic Bay, Clyde River, Igloolik and Sanirajak. Extensive mapping interviews with these five impacted communities covered the use by and importance of the area to Inuit (historical, current, and future); existing areas of impacted resulting from earlier phases of the project developments in the area; and how the future iterations and expansions of the project were likely to influence Inuit knowledge and use, including Inuit rights, within and adjacent to the proposed project footprint. Subsequent companion studies have built on this initital work and focused on specific resources (like freshwater and fish) and specific impact pathways (like dustfall).
“The Land is our Lifeline” – Report of Potential Socio-economic Impact Pathways for the Proposed BC Hydro West Kelowna Transmission Project (2018) In collaboration with the Syilx communities of Westbank First Nation, Upper Nicola Band, and Okanagan Indian Band, The Firelight Group conducted a socio-economic study to identify community vulnerabilities that may be influenced by BC Hydro’s West Kelowna Transmission Project (WKTP), as well as to assess each community’s ability to take advantage of potential project benefits. In order to establish accurate socio-economic baselines for each of the Syilx Okanagan communities, from which potential impacts could be derived, a number of methods were used, from community meetings and focus groups to a community-led survey tailored to include community-developed priority indicators. These approaches were supported with additional secondary data, such as custom Statistics Canada data in order to compare vulnerabilities with the surrounding non-Indigenous population. The findings were analysed using Valued Components for Community Well-being (VCs), which helped position the community concerns and impact expectations in relation to the determinants of community well-being. Separate baseline socio-economic impact reports were prepared for each community, along with a shared impact pathways report that was also submitted to BC Hydro.
Indigenous Communities and Industrial Camps: Promoting Healthy Communities in Settings of Industrial Change (2017) This study, initiated by community leaders in the Lake Babine First Nation with the Nak’azdli Whut’en First Nation, arose from concerns expressed during pipeline review processes, about the risks experienced by women in Indigenous communities due to closely sited industrial camps. Social and cultural risks of close location of industrial camps often falls under the radar of planning processes. The report was based on key informant interviews and a workshop that brought together Indigenous community members, front line service providers, and industry and government representatives. Policies, programs and strategies were developed for regional mitigation planning for industrial camps, with a focus on promoting healthy workplaces and communities in these settings.
Okanagan Indian Band Socio-economic Baseline Report for the Proposed BC Hydro Revelstoke Unit 6 Project (Fall 2016) The Firelight Group worked with the Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) to complete a socio-economic baseline study for members living on reserve. Using a custom and innovative survey tool, the study engaged 114 member households to better understand complex and dynamic community attributes such as demographics, education and training interests, well-being, household and traditional food security, and engagement in cultural activities. The baseline now serves as an integral tool for measuring and monitoring change over time, as well as mitigating impacts of industrial development within OKIB’s territory.“The Okanagan Indian Band is very pleased to share their recent works and experiences with the consulting firm The Firelight Group. First and foremost, the work conducted exceeded expectation for the recent socio-economic study. From the starting developments of the project to finished final product, a top quality and professional product was delivered. The Firelight Group were trouble-free to work with throughout the whole scope of the project. The Okanagan Indian Band would hire and work with them again.” – Testimony from OKIB
Wabun Tribal Council Benefits Maximization Plan for the Proposed Borden Gold Project Socio-economic benefit measures identification and implementation planning for the Borden Gold Project: Firelight worked with the Wabun Tribal Council in northern Ontario in the development of a Benefits Maximization Plan for the proposed Borden Gold Project. Elements included the identification of short- and long-term measures for socio-economic benefits maximization to take to the negotiations table with the proponent, the development of Terms of Reference for a Human Resources Committee and a First Nations Employment and Training Work Task Group between the parties, and the development of a job description for a Project-specific WTC Human Resources Liaison.
