Collective bio-cultural heritage: meaningful Indigenous participation and consultation in land and land use

Abstract

The Piikani Nation, a vibrant Indigenous community, has enjoyed their territory since time immemorial. In 2006 the Mikisew Cree won a precedent-setting case proving the need for government and industry to appropriately and adequately consult with Indigenous Nations who have interest in areas proposed for development of public or Crown lands. Since this Mikisew decision, industry, government and Indigenous nations alike have struggled to develop effective and efficient methods to conduct consultation with Indigenous communities. Government and Industry want to develop resources to ensure that their concerns regarding equal opportunity in resource development is attained while respecting their Indigenous ties to the land. Through six conversations, this thesis explores collective bio-cultural heritage as a central concept in authentic consultation and as a way to meaningfully address these concerns through an Indigenous Research Methodology in consultation processes and for re-understanding land, land use, and land planning.