CFX 2023 CONFERENCE
October 30 - November 2, 2023 | Online Event
Indigenous-Led Cumulative Effects Pathways:
From Words to Action
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~Times below are in Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)~
Monday, October 30
Day 1: "Indigenous-Led Cumulative Effects Pathways"
Why don’t we just stay with regulatory processes?
9:00 am - 9:15 am
Opening Prayer
Paulette Fox
9:15 am - 9:25 am
Opening Remarks
9:25 am - 10:05 am
[Keynote] Why Cumulative Effects Should Be Indigenous-Led
Barry J. Wilson
We aren’t sure that the cumulative effects of expanding and overlapping human land uses, combined with natural disturbances, like wildfires, hurricanes and floods, and amplified by the uncertainty of a changing climate, is the pathway to long-term sustainability.
Do we need to try something new? Maybe not. Maybe we just need to return to what we already know, or knew. Barry initiates the CFX 2023 conversation providing 3 strong arguments in favour of Indigenous leadership in cumulative effects.
10:05 am - 10:15 am
BREAK
10:15 am - 11:05 am
[Panel Discussion] Indigenous Perspectives on Regional Environmental Assessments and Cumulative Effects
Dr. Jill Blakley (Moderator), Paulette Fox, Francis Skeard and Dave Nordquist
11:05 am - 11:25 am
[Presentation] From Mushrooms to Boardrooms: A Journey Towards Addressing Cumulative Effects with Indigenous Leadership and Knowledge
Chief Byron Alexander and Jasmine Jesso
From picking mushrooms in the forest to commanding boardrooms, the journey of Indian Head First Nation in western Newfoundland has been nothing short of remarkable. What began as a humble practice rooted in Traditional Knowledge has evolved into a powerful force driving change and representation in business and decision-making processes. With a steadfast commitment to Indigenous-led cumulative effects, Indian Head First Nation has become a trailblazer in the preservation of cultural heritage while forging ahead in creating economic opportunities for its community members. Through their unique understanding of the land and its resources, Indian Head First Nation has harnessed the power of two-eyed seeing and collective action to secure a seat at the table in business boardrooms. Armed with their deep knowledge of natural resources, sustainable practices, and traditional wisdom, they are challenging the status quo and reshaping the narrative around Indigenous contributions to the economy. By taking the reins and pushing for Indigenous-led cumulative effects, Indian Head First Nation has become a beacon of hope and inspiration for other communities aspiring to create meaningful change that respects both cultural and economic values.
11:25 am - 11:55 am
[Breakout Activity] Key Challenges, Opportunities and Priorities
11:55 am - 12:00 pm
Closing Remarks
Tuesday, October 31
Day 2: Indigenous Knowledge and Perspectives on Cumulative Effects
Bringing Indigenous knowledge and perspectives to the forefront of cumulative effects work, which has so far been dominated by a Western scientific approach. This can be done by incorporating Indigenous ways of learning, methodologies and protocols into the current process, including two-eyed seeing and Traditional Knowledge transfer and dissemination.
9:00 am - 9:05 am
Opening Remarks
9:05 am - 9:55 am
[Panel Discussion] Indigenous Research Methodology
Sponsored by BC Métis Federation
Bruce Shelvey (Moderator), Joe Desjarlais and Matt Chiasson
"Pacific Northwest Research and Indigenous Research Methodology" - Joe will tell the story of BC Metis Federation's journey through community-based research and Indigenous research methods in shaping new futures for self-determining Metis communities across the Pacific Northwest.
Aqamoqey Pu’taliewey “White Ash to Basket” - Matt will talk about a series of workshops that were held in 3 Mainland Mi'kmaq communities with the goal of exploring the cumulative effects of European settlement on traditional basket making. The cumulative effects of European contact, centralization, the impacts of development in traditional eco-systems and habitats, has affected the availability and access to Black Ash in Nova Scotia. The workshops are designed in a series of building block lessons providing Earth Keepers and Mainland Mi’kmaq community members with ample time to acquire, consolidate and refine the knowledge transfer. Overall, the workshops have been a valuable experience in preserving the cultural traditions and practice of the Mi'kmaq people while promoting cultural and sustainable practices for the future.
Sweet Grass “In the Wild and In the Community” - Matt will also be talking about a series of workshops that were held around Mainland Nova Scotia with the goal of exploring the cumulative effects of European settlement on traditional Sweetgrass harvesting and habitats. These workshops focused on empowering communities through knowledge sharing and reclaiming lost habitats through identifying sweet grass in the territory, traditional and modern methods of sweet grass harvesting, horticultural methods and sharing stories.
9:55 am - 10:25 am
Walking on Two Legs: Lessons in Secwepemc Law
A conversation with Sunny LeBourdais. Interviewer: Barry J. Wilson
10:25 am - 10:35 am
BREAK
10:35 am - 11:25 am
[Panel Discussion] Intergenerational Knowledge Transfer
Ashley Childs (Moderator), Sophie Collins, Florence Catholique, Jessica Nelson and Paulette Fox
11:25 am - 11:55 am
[Presentation] Field Notes on Meaningful Collaboration with Indigenous Wisdom Keepers: Insights for Developing Regenerative Partnerships
Natasha Deganello Giraudie
Interested in deepening your collaboration with Indigenous wisdom keepers? Join Natasha on a remarkable journey as she shares lessons gained from her own experience as an award-winning filmmaker and as a nature practice teacher, who helps environmentalists restore their personal resilience while they do the same for the Earth. This session will help you foster successful partnerships, by offering insights related to cultural sensitivity, effective communication, environmental stewardship, spirituality, and the importance of uplifting narratives. You'll walk away with an enriched understanding of how to engage with Indigenous knowledge holders for a more inclusive, regenerative, and harmonious future.
11:55 am - 12:00 pm
Closing Remarks
Wednesday, November 1
Day 3: Governance, Stewardship and Adaptive Management
Reconciling the existing colonial legal framework with Indigenous governance.
9:00 am - 9:05 am
Opening Remarks
9:05 am - 9:35 am
[Presentation] Addressing Cumulative Effects in the Traditional Territory of Blueberry River First Nations
Chief Judy Desjarlais
After decades of watching their traditional territory being impacted by the cumulative effects of industrial development, Blueberry River First Nations members found they were no longer able to live their traditional way of life as promised under Treaty 8. When countless warnings by Blueberry were not heard, Blueberry sued the B.C. Government for breach of Treaty rights.In 2021, the BC Supreme Court ruled entirely in Blueberry’s favour and ordered the BC Government to stop allowing new development as it had been doing, and ordered Blueberry and BC to work out land management rules that protect Blueberry’s Treaty rights.In January 2023, Blueberry and the BC Government reached an historic agreement and are now working together to implement it. This agreement will ensure Blueberry’s Treaty Rights are protected, new measures are implemented, and planning gets underway immediately to restore and heal the land.In her presentation, Chief Desjarlais will share her Nation’s journey, and how the cumulative impacts of industry look on the ground in her territory. Chief Desjarlais hopes her presentation will educate and inspire others to begin their own new ways of thinking about protection of the land, Treaty rights and restoration.
9:35 am - 10:25 am
[Panel Discussion] United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Sponsored by Impact Resolutions Ltd.
Pepita Elena McKee (Moderator), Jennifer Turner, Mindy Henyu and Silas White
10:25 am - 10:35 am
BREAK
10:35 am - 11:25 am
[Panel Discussion] Guardianship
Drew Rose (Moderator), Aaron Marchant and Ashton Ashley
11:25 am - 11:55 am
[Group Activity] Breathing and Visualization Exercise
Pepita Elena McKee
11:55 am - 12:00 pm
Closing Remarks
Thursday, November 2
Day 4: "From Words to Action"
Indigenous-led cumulative effects assessments, research, frameworks, networks and more.
9:00 am - 9:05 am
Opening Remarks
9:05 am - 10:05 am
[Panel Discussion] Successful Examples of Indigenous-Led Cumulative Effects Projects, Programs and Initiatives
Sponsored by MacHydro
Dr. Ryan MacDonald (Moderator), Tim Robinson, Dr. Juan Carlos Tejeda González, Spencer Taft and Mark Cliffe-Phillips
10:05 am - 10:35 am
TBA
10:35 am - 10:45 am
BREAK
10:45 am - 11:45 am
[Presentation] Indigenous-Led Holistic Cumulative Effects Assessments: Piloting Safely Through the Turbulence
Barry J. Wilson
As the pace and scale of proposed development activities continue to increase, how can we be sure that the choices we are making about land and water use are good ones? How can we decide what to allow while leaving enough for our children, grandchildren, and their grandchildren? Unlocking the answers will require us to draw upon two ways of knowing: Indigenous Knowledge and western contemporary science. Using these knowledge sets in harmony means seeing the big picture and the fine details, and how they’re connected. Cumulative effects analysis is a powerful way to bring it all together.
Join Barry Wilson, Systems Dynamicist and Founder of the RavenWater Learning Circle™, as he shares powerful stories with case study examples from Indigenous-led holistic cumulative effects assessments.
Attendees will take away proven strategies for using holistic cumulative effects modelling and analysis to assist with:
• Evaluating risk and uncertainty
• Uncovering opportunities
• Simplifying complexity for making good decisions
11:45 am - 11:55 am
Closing Remarks
11:55 am - 12:00 pm
Closing Prayer
Paulette Fox