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NRBS Response Table of Contents   NRBS Final Report     NRBS Fact Sheet		CANADA - ALBERTA - NORTHWEST TERRITORIES RESPONSE to THE NORTHERN RIVER BASINS STUDY First Nations/Métis The recommendations of the Study's First Nations Committee, as supported by the NRBS Board and contained in its "Report to the Ministers", are listed below in bold italics, followed by the response of governments. 1. Governments establish a committee, that will involve communities and other stakeholders, to consult, advise and implement resulting programs and projects which are the outcome of the recommendations from the Northern River Basins Study, so that the interests and rights of the First Nations / Métis are safeguarded and protected. The governments agree that people most directly affected by water policies and programs should have the opportunity to provide input to the development and implementation of them. The Mackenzie River Basin Transboundary Waters Master Agreement and associated bilateral agreements will provide important mechanisms for this and other purposes. First Nations/Métis will be represented on the Board under this Agreement. 2. The governments develop a government to government relationship with First Nations / Métis governments concerning implementation of northern river basins strategies and recommendations. The governments are committed to First Nations and Métis involvement in the implementation of the NRBS recommendations. The Mackenzie River Basin Agreement will be an important mechanism for involving First Nations/Métis peoples; however, other mechanisms will also be used as appropriate to address specific recommendations. For example, the document "An Understanding on First Nations/Alberta Relations" of November 10, 1995 sets a framework in which Alberta deals with First Nations signatory to the document. Similarly, the Alberta/Métis Framework Agreement signed August 16, 1993 sets a framework in which the province interacts with the Métis Nation of Alberta Association.
Top of Page		3. An ecosystem management approach be used which includes all aspects of the watershed management and encompasses the commitment of First Nations / Métis people to the ecosystem approach. The governments support and will use an ecosystem management approach. This is one of the fundamental principles behind the Mackenzie River Basin Transboundary Waters Master Agreement and of the operational policies of Canada, Alberta, and the Government of the Northwest Territories. 4. Any future research programs developed or endorsed by the governments or research organizations be encouraged to focus on the integration of scientific and traditional knowledge within a First Nations / Métis research protocol. The NRBS has demonstrated the importance of traditional knowledge. The governments encourage the integration of traditional and scientific knowledge in research programs. The Mackenzie River Basin Transboundary Waters Master Agreement calls for the incorporation of traditional knowledge and values in the conduct and actions of the Board. 5. The northern river research strategies endeavour to enable First Nations / Métis communities and governments to initiate and carry out scientific research which answers First Nations / Métis environmental questions about the northern river basins. The governments endorse the participation of First Nations/Métis communities in strategies for environmental research. As in the NRBS, it is important that research programs are designed to include the concerns of First Nations/Métis people. Governments are committed to working with First Nations/Métis people to initiate and carry out scientific activities. The Mackenzie River Basin Transboundary Water Master Agreement and associated bilateral agreements provide mechanisms through which such an objective can be achieved.
Top of Page		6. Governments commit to a cooperative and participatory thrust of future research in the northern river basins focusing on human health and its link to environmental contaminants or ecological change, and the cause and effect relationship of environmental contaminants or ecological change to the health of the communities and peoples involved; particular effort should be placed on the quality of water within the region encompassed by the Northern River Basins Study boundaries. The governments agree with co-operative and participatory research, and the need to examine potential linkages between human health and environmental conditions. Their commitment to this is demonstrated by the Northern River Basins Human Health Monitoring Program, being completed by Alberta Health. This study is examining the situation carefully, and will identify knowledge gaps or deficiencies and make recommendations accordingly. Governments are committed to reviewing the findings and addressing the recommendations.

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