First Nations Land Management Resource Centre (RC)
Who We Are
A First Nations organization dedicated to serving and supporting First Nations communities who want to re-establish control over their lands, natural resources, and environment through the historic government-to-government Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management.
RC Mission Statement
“Supporting First Nations to exercise their Inherent Right to Govern their Lands, Environment and Resources.”
What We Do
The RC is dedicated to supporting First Nations communities, when invited, in the following ways:
- Intergovernmental Relations in support of the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management’s ongoing implementation
- Training, resources, and support services for signatory First Nations as they develop and implement their community land codes
- Providing information to interested First Nations
- *Support to First Nations is restricted to Land Code development and/or implementation. First Nation signatories are not required to utilize the services of the LAB or RC.
Current Policy Priorities:
- Addressing delays in the Developmental Process, such as during the Phase 1 ESA process
- Ensuring streamlined accessibility and transition to First Nation Land Governance outside of the Indian Act
- Ensuring the timely transfer of registry information to the new registry system
- Completing registry regulations and companion changes to the FAFNLMA in a timely manner
- Working with Ministers’ offices to ensure First Nation Laws are enforced.
- Creating concrete solutions to address issues with the current ATR process
Through the implementation of the Framework Agreement, Canada and First Nations are making practical, meaningful progress toward reconciliation through the elimination of the colonial Indian Act lands restrictions by establishing community-created land codes. Land codes enhance law-making, enforcement, planning, and environmental management and the protection of reserve lands, as well as creating better regulatory circumstances for stable economic development. Land codes are also expanding on modern systems of land governance and have resulted in the removal of federal government-related bureaucratic processes in favour of more appropriate local and timely decision-making.
For up-to-date information on the First Nations who have ratified the Framework Agreement and enacted their own land codes, or for those who are in the land code development phase, please visit our Signatory First Nation page.
Currently, over 40 interested First Nations are also exploring the option of becoming involved in the Framework Agreement. Over one-third of First Nations in Canada are involved in the Framework Agreement process. The LAB and RC hope to expand efforts in support of the growing number of First Nations that continue to seek effective and proven remedies to the colonial restrictions of the Indian Act.
CLICK HERE for more information on the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management
Get To Know Us
“Over the past 20 years, we have worked with First Nations to implement First Nation Land Management across the country. More and more First Nations from coast to coast are taking the opportunity to reclaim jurisdiction over their lands and resources – we are taking our rightful place over our lands.”
Austin Bear, RC Chairman
What We Do
Operational & Developmental
Technical Field Support
The Resource Centre places great emphasis on the regional representation of its technical staff, which geographically coincides with the distribution of signatory First Nations.
Many of our Managers and Technicians were integral to the development and implementation of the land code for their respective First Nations. This insight is invaluable to the support provided to communities proceeding towards self-governance.
The support services provided by our field staff are wide-ranging, including:
- Aiding in land code development;
- Aiding in community engagement and communication strategies;
- Advising in Individual Agreement negotiations;
- Coordinating the verification process;
- Assisting in planning/facilitating ratification votes;
- Supporting operational First Nations during and after transition to land governance authority under their land code;
Capacity Building, Training, &
Professional Development
A Land Governance Manual (LGM) has been prepared as a resource tool for Operational signatories. The LGM is a living resource tool, updated regularly, and has been developed from 20 years of actual examples of lands governance experiences under land code.
A series of ongoing sessions called ” Think Tanks” are offered regionally throughout the year. These focused, capacity-building sessions encourage the discussion of current land governance practices and experiences as they relate to various land governance topics.
The Resource Centre has produced over 50 short online courses, with several additional ones in development. These courses have been created on topics informed by the key functions of a Land Governance Director, Land Manager, or other lands-related staff operating under the Framework Agreement. These courses also have a supporting workbook, presentation, and supplemental resources that can be used in webinars, workshops, and individual learning. Courses are reviewed and updated periodically as laws and other content changes come into effect. Courses can be accessed through our Online Course Catalogue.
Environmental & Enforcement
Support Services
The Resource Centre continues to work towards addressing the regulatory gap on reserve lands with First Nations, provinces and the federal government as intended by the Framework Agreement.
Environmental Management Planning, Implementation, Law-making and Enforcement in our communities are a unique and on-going challenge.
In response to this need, the Resource Centre has been developing various strategies to expand on the self-government law-making powers of operational signatory nations to the Framework Agreement.
Equally, the LAB and Resource Centre are committed to consistently improving upon the Framework Agreement per the direction of its membership. As such, several amendments are currently in development, including topics such as:
- Voting thresholds and need for verifiers;
- Expanded Environmental law-making powers;
- Expanded MRP provisions and powers;
- A First Nation led lands registry system;
- Additions to Reserve;
- Authorities for partnerships in policing, etc
Land Use Planning & Related
Support Services
Assistance in land-related planning is provided to Operational communities as well as Developmental communities.
Land Use Planning, Strategic Planning and other land-based planning advising is provided to communities. This includes assistance in preparing for planning activities and sourcing and applying for funding.
The Resource Centre recognizes that land-related plans are primary tools for successful land governance to take place, that Land Use Plans are a requirement for successful economic development and protecting traditional sites, and that the development of land-related plans should follow the development of land codes, given that land codes govern land laws.
Lands department staff can be provided with mentoring opportunities and each community is treated individually. The activities are at once related to land governance, economic development planning, and capacity building, with the three being merged into the overall Resource Centre Land Use Planning advising role as well as the Resource Centre’s Training and Communications strategies.
Land Description & Surveys
Support Services
Assistance and advice is offered to First Nations with regards to surveys, processes and other survey related issues or questions.
This can include:
- Determining the type of survey plan required for a land transaction;
- Detailing the survey plan process;
- Determining the various stakeholders and their specific roles in the process;
- Reviewing and explaining the survey plan;
- Researching the status of a survey project;
- Searching for finalized survey plans for the First Nation, etc.
The Resource Centre also provides assistance in reviewing the Research Reports and Land Descriptions prepared by Canada for a First Nation’s Reserve lands.
If Canada identifies the need for a survey, the Resource Centre’s survey contracting process was developed to ensure a timely completion and that First Nations are included in the project.
Communication Development
& Support Services
As with all areas of Resource Centre support, our communications department plays a key role in the Resource Centre’s mandate, by developing products that share pertinent information about the Framework Agreement, its signatory communities, and other topics of significance.
A variety of products are produced and maintained throughout the year to help inform, advise, and support. Among others, some of these items include:
- The LAB Annual Report;
- Special presentations to communities, Parliament, associations;
- Land Code specific websites and community engagement materials;
- Social media;
- Digital and print media; and
- LAB and Resource Centre websites
