Here is a selection of our completed projects:
Snap Lake Diamond Mine, Impact Benefit Agreement Negotiations Chignecto is working as technical advisor for the Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation in its negotiations with DeBeers Canada for an Impact Benefit Agreement with respect to the Snap Lake Diamond Mine that is being developed in the Northwest Territories. Chignecto will provide strategic advice and expertise in the following areas: negotiation Organization and Structure technical advice, negotiation support, research and analysis, environmental expertise, engineering expertise, and financial expertise.
Mishkeegogamang First Nation – Forestry and Hydroelectric Negotiations Chignecto is providing negotiation support and strategic direction to the Mishkeegogaming First Nation in their negotiations in the areas of hydroelectric and forestry with large corporations.
Victor Diamond Mine, Impact Benefit Agreement 2003-2006. Chignecto worked with Attawapiskat First Nation as technical advisor providing expertise and strategic advice in its negotiations with DeBeers Canada for an Impact Benefit Agreement on the development of the Victor Diamond Mine. Services are similar to that identified in the Snap Lake project.
Assembly of First Nations/Indian and Northern Affairs Canada Joint Committee on PSE- Evaluation of the Indian Studies Support Program In partnership with Katenies Research and Management Services, Chignecto undertook an evaluation of the Indian Studies Support Program, particularly considering the role that Indigenous Institutes of Higher Learning play in progress in Aboriginal post-secondary education. The report included detailed analysis of the policy, in-depth interviews with key informants from across Canada, a comparative analysis of provincial policies regarding Aboriginal post-secondary education, best practices in Indigenous learning from both national and international contexts, analysis of the American Tribal College system, and a compilation of success factors for Aboriginal achievement in post-secondary. The evaluation included sweeping recommendations for improvement of the program and development of support systems on a national basis.
Council of Ministers of Education, Canada – Aboriginal Post-Secondary Initiatives Chignecto worked with Dr. Blair Stonechild to compile a working inventory of post-secondary initiatives across the country directed at Aboriginal students. These initiatives included Aboriginal-specific programs and courses, student support services provided by post-secondary institutions, scholarship and bursaries, directed funding for PSE by province, community-delivered programming, transition and access programs, and mentoring and apprenticeship options, among others. In addition to the working inventory, the final report included analysis of existing initiatives, best practices, and recommended directions for CMEC.
Society for the Advancement of Excellence in Education – Sharing Our Success Chignecto was hired to participate in the second phase of a national study that assessed the “top 20 schools” in Canada that provide education to Aboriginal children. Chignecto undertook two case studies to determine best practices employed by the Eskasoni Elementary/Middle School in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and Se’t A’newey Kina’matinguom (St. Anne’s School) in Conne River, Newfoundland. Key informant interviews, focus groups, observation and direct interaction with staff and students resulted in two chapters outlining the keys to their success. Factors considered included governance and leadership, school climate, partnerships, culture, teaching and learning, assessments and outcomes.
MAWIW Strategic Planning Processes Chignecto conducted two strategic planning process for the MAWIW Council, which is a tribal council representing the three largest Aboriginal communities in New Brunswick – Elsipogtog, Burnt Church and Tobique First Nations. The first session was delivered for the MAWIW Health Commission and the second for the MAWIW AHRDA. Sessions included SWOT assessments, establishment of mission and/or vision statements, goal setting and action planning.
Mushuau Innu First Nation – Aboriginal Head Start On-Reserve Chignecto provided technical assistance in the development of the Mushuau Innu Aboriginal Head Start program being established on reserve. Chignecto’s ongoing role includes research into legislative requirements, meeting program priorities, liaising with partners such as the College of the North Atlantic, providing support and advice to Mushuau Innu staff, identifying resources, and preparing the final proposals and annual budgets.
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation – Technical Advice We provide ongoing comprehensive program development, delivery and accountability assistance, e.g., housing, finance, education, human resources, capital, etc. to Sheshatshiu First Nation on an ongoing basis. We provide strategic advice on major initiatives, including Indian Act registration and child and family services. Most recently Chignecto conducted an organizational review of the Band Administration and provided best practices options from other AtlanticFirst Nations.
Attawapiskat First Nation Impact Benefits Agreement Attawapiskat First Nation and DeBeers Canada negotiated an Impact Benefit Agreementas a condition for the establishment of a diamond mine within Attawapiskat FirstNation’s traditional territory. Chignecto Consulting Group provided thefollowing services: • Negotiation Organization and Structure technical advice • Negotiation Support • Research and Analysis • Environmental Expertise • Engineering Expertise • Financial Expertise
Attawapiskat First Nation Resources Inc. Chignecto supported the Attawapiskat First Nation in its negotiations and consultations towards an Impact Benefit Agreement with De Beers Canada Inc. for the proposedVictor Diamond Project. A key objective of the negotiations was to ensure thatthe First Nation would benefit economically from the development of the VictorMine. This was achieved by building into the IBA a unique contracting processwhich gave significant advantages to Attawapiskat businesses while still providingDe Beers assurance of fair price and quality. Concurrently, Chignecto assistedwith the negotiation of joint ventures with established companies. AttawapiskatResources Inc., the company put in place to manage the joint ventures, has receivedover $150 million worth of contracts in the first year of the mine construction.
Ontario First Nation Technical Corporation Chignecto facilitated a 2-phase strategic planning process with the Ontario-basedgroup to identify priorities and directions for the group during its transitionphase. The strategic process incorporated a SWOT assessment and goal settingfrom which to develop a business case for the organization.
Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Sectoral Negotiations on Education Jurisdiction Chignecto Consulting provided technical advice to the NAN Education Jurisdictionsectoral negotiations on self-governance, the NAN Education Committee, and theDeputy Grand Chief. Advice includes negotiations strategies, communications strategicplanning and implementation, and materials design and development.
Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nation Chiefs Chignecto has undertaken several projects related to social services, water policy,and on-reserve housing policy advice. Our services included adapting the FirstNations’ social assistance policy manual to include a case management approach,a comparison of social assistance benefits between reserves and provincial pracitces,and preparing briefs for policy meetings.
Chiefs of Ontario Workshop and Reporton INAC PTO Policy and Funding Review Chignecto Consulting assisted the Chiefs of Ontario in preparing a report onthe Operations of the Chiefs of Ontario in response to INAC’s nationalreview of all Provincial and Territorial Organizations (PTOs). The report addressedkey information about its current roles, including its strategic foundations,organizational structure, roles and responsibilities, accountability regime andkey accomplishments. It also outlined the current funding challenges facing theChiefs of Ontario organization and provided guidance on how those challengesmight effectively be addressed in a revised PTO policy. Chignecto Consultingalso facilitated a workshop to enable each territorial organization in the regionto review and clarify the current and future relationship among member territorialorganizations and the Chiefs of Ontario office within the context of INAC’sreview of the PTOs.
Native Language – Phase III – Report on current utilization and successof immersion programs within Nishnawbe Aski Nation, across Canada and Internationally. Chignecto Consulting Group Inc. completed a research report that discussed thecurrent utilization and success of immersion programs within Nishnawbe Aski Nation(NAN), across Canada and internationally. The report will assist NAN First Nationsin making decisions with respect to immersion programs and to project any additionaleducation costs associated with immersion programming for inclusion in the fundinglevels associated with a Final Agreement on Education Jurisdiction.
Innu Nation Technical Advice Resource Negotiations Chignecto Consulting provided negotiation support on major projects, includingthe recently completed Impact Benefits Agreement between Voisey’s Bay NickelCompany (INCO), Indian Act registration and reserve creation, and program devolutione.g., child and family services, education, income support.
Onigaming First Nation – Mikinaak Onigaming School Along with Harvard University, Chignecto partnered with the Mikinaak OnigamingSchool to improve the delivery and administration of education at Onigaming FirstNation. We developed community consultation materials and used them as a teachingtool to inform parents/caretakers and community members about the initiativeand the value of education.
Mattagami First Nation Chignecto led an Education System review for Mattagami First Nation where all aspects of the local education system were assessed, including: facilities and resources, curriculum, governance, administration, teachers, students, the surrounding environment, and funding arrangements. The results of this process included new policies and program priorities, and a renewed interest in the local education system by the community as a whole.