On October 1, 2013, the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation Dene Lands and Resource Management (ACFN-DLRM) ceased accepting written notifications for consultation, instead requiring that all First Nations consultation be entered into the Community Knowledge Keeper (CKK) database in order to enable us to adequately review each project.
The ACFN-DLRM was established to create efficient capacity for the community, and to work with industry and government to assess the impacts of industrial development on our members and traditional territory. As such, all consultation must occur through ACFN-DLRM. However, over the last two decades, the number of referrals ACFN receives for industrial development has grown enormously. As such, we have asked that companies no longer email or mail maps and letters notifying the ACFN-DLRM of their proposed or pending projects but rather that these be entered directly into the CKK system for review by ACFN-DLRM. All proponent and Crown information relating to a proposed activity must be entered into the CKK system to initiate consultation.
The CKK is a consultation database where new projects and consultations are entered electronically to better enable the ACFN-DLRM to determine how each new project will impact the community and its treaty rights. Each project's details are entered into a web-based form, along with Shapefiles and other supporting media, so that the ACFN-DLRM can overlay other data, such as our community members traplines, traditional use sites, ACFN cultural preservation zones, as well as other relevant information, such as the Federal and Provincial caribou protection zones, protected areas (both proposed and existing) and any other valuable information that will help us determine impacts of each project to the community.
ACFN’s Consultation Policy sets out the terms on which ACFN’s consent to a proposed activity in or affecting ACFN traditional territory may be obtained. Per the ACFN Consultation Policy, which is based on the most up-to-date law on consultation, proponents seeking ACFN engagement and potential consent for activities in our territory must fulfill the proponent obligations which include: 1. Early Engagement. 2. Information Sharing with ACFN-DLRM; and 3. Reimbursement for ACFN-DLRM’s costs.
Canadian courts have made clear that funding for technical assistance is one of the factors they will consider in assessing whether consultation and accommodation is adequate. ACFN-DLRM will continue to invoice proponents contributing to the CKK for the cost of the screening process within the CKK system. The CKK will administer appropriate fees to cover such costs.
If you are an ACFN-DLRM contributor, please follow the link below to login to your company account. If you are not an DLRM Contributor, you will not have access to the system, and we would require that you contact the Regulatory Department (consultation@acfn.com) to request a scope and budget detailing the costs associated with reviewing your consultation.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Reception (consultation@acfn.com).
Sincerely, Lisa Tssessaze
Executive Director, ACFN-DLRM
ACFN Important Documents:
ACFN Consultation Policy
Caribou Stewardship Plan
Ronald Lake Bison Herd Report
Wood Buffalo National Park: An Untold History Report
As the River Flows Report
ACFN Dene Place Naming Project