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Reports

First Nation Climate Leadership Agenda: Research and Engagement Cumulative Report (April 2025)

The Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nation Chiefs Secretariat (APC) engaged the services of Dr. Heidi Weigand, Dalhousie University and the Generation Z Research team to conduct research with the Atlantic First Nation Communities to gather the priorities for developing the First Nation
Climate Leadership Agenda (FNCLA). The initial study took place between September 1st, 2023, and March 31st, 2023, which included 25 engagement conversations from across the Atlantic Region, and an extensive exploration of the federal, provincial, and municipal funding programs
was conducted to determine the region’s key priorities. The second study included two 1.5-day workshops across the Atlantic Region to present the findings from study one and gather additional feedback to prepare the Memo to the Cabinet from the Atlantic First Nation Communities for the
First Nation Climate Leadership Agenda.

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First Nations Climate Leadership Agenda Atlantic Regional Recommendations (April 2025)

First Nations across Atlantic Canada are severely impacted by climate change, ranging from short-term evacuations due to intense weather events to long-term loss of land, culturally significant species, and medicinal plants due to environmental degradation. Critical action is needed across all government levels to address climate change and its interwoven impacts across all sectors and communities, especially in First Nation communities. The current climate policies are based on colonial biases and perspectives, which fail to adequately address the climate crisis and are considerably disconnected from First Nations’ perspectives. These policies continue to emphasize the siloed approaches and patterns of discrimination, inequality, and environmental exploitation by the different levels of the Canadian government.

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2023 APC Fisheries Conference and Awards Banquet & Ceremony  (January 2023)

The 2023 APC Fisheries Conference and Awards Banquet & Ceremony was presented by the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat (APC).

This year’s event was the second to be hosted with in-person delegates since the onset of COVID and saw a significantly higher number of in-person attendees relative to those joining virtually than in the past year. In total, 144 delegates attended the conference including Chiefs, Elders, Fisheries Coordinators, Fisheries Managers/Directors, Aquaculture Technicians, and more. Those in attendance were offered 19 sessions ranging from presentations and panels to rapid-fire breakout sessions on topics ranging from aquaculture and DFO programs updates to the lobster export market and industry innovation. Full presentation and  workshop lists are noted in the agenda found at Annex A.

The event also featured the APC Fisheries Awards which were accompanied by an awards dinner and keynote address by The Honourable Brian Francis on the evening of 26 January. Awards winners are noted within the report and can be found in the Awards Program at Annex B as well.

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Review of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO): Barriers and Opportunities for Indigenous Inclusion (March 2023)

In the winter of 2022, the Atlantic Policy Congress retained the services of Indigenous Minds Consulting to conduct a review of potential barriers to Indigenous participation at the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO). Much of how Canada governs Atlantic salmon flow from recommendations through NASCO as a member state. Thus, to understand the impact of international organization of NASCO to Canada’s approach to working with Indigenous peoples without Indigenous input or as co-governors requires a thorough examination of how NASCO is operationalized.

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Review of the Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation Policy and Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation Strategy (March 2023)

In the winter of 2022, the Atlantic Policy Congress retained the services of Indigenous Minds Consulting to conduct a review of the Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation Policy, referred to herein as WASCP, and conservation strategy/plan (WASP).

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Indigenous Knowledge Policy Framework Workshop Series Report (March 2022)

The following report is the result of two virtual workshops hosted by the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat over the fall and winter of 2021-2022. These workshops provided a venue for Atlantic First Nations in Atlantic Canada to discuss the Government of Canada’s proposed Indigenous Knowledge Policy Framework (IKPF). The report includes summaries of all presentations held over the two workshops including from the Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources, the Indigenous law firm Olthuis Kleer Townshend LLP, Dr. Deborah McGregor of York University, and the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada. The report also captures ’emergent themes’ across the workshop series which include, among other things, more details on how the government’s framework would be implemented.

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Fish and Fish Habitat Report (December 2021)

Three virtual Fish & Fish Habitat workshops were held over the winter of 2021-2022. These workshops were for Atlantic First Nations to discuss the various regulations, policies and frameworks being developed by the Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The report features recommendations based on the feedback of Atlantic First Nations participants. These recommendations include incorporating the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples’ Free Prior and Informed Consent language into the policies and adopting a First Nations First policy among others. APC will continue to support Atlantic First Nations in their consideration of these policies to support the conservation, protection and restoration of fish and fish habitat across the region.

Prepared by Heidi Weigand and Shelley Price

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APC All Chiefs Fisheries Forum (November 2021)

The Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nation Chiefs Secretariat’s (APC) hosted an All Chiefs Meeting to discuss Indigenous fisheries in the Atlantic Region. The discussions included areas of focus, Indigenous knowledge systems, issues, opportunities, and next steps. These were fruitful conversations, built on the foundation of knowledge sharing and a strong affirmation that Treaty Rights and Inherent Rights will never be ceded. Further discussion on the times when self-governance and when co-governance are strategic opportunities for moving forward.

Prepared by Heidi Weigand and Shelley Price

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Best Practices in Indigenous Recruitment and Retention (April 2018)

The purpose of this report is to summarize systemic barriers to Indigenous recruitment and retention as well as identify best practices currently employed by organizations like the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG). This report also summarizes the feedback received from CCG staff through interviewing on the subject of Indigenous recruitment. It provides considerations and recommendations for both Indigenous groups and for the Coast Guard to best support individuals and improve recruitment and retention in employment at the CCG.
Prepared by Michael Hennessey and Karen Travers

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Impact Assessment Act