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Indigenous Peoples have the Right to Decide

Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) is the inherent right Indigenous communities have to decide “yes” or “no” to mining, forestry, oil, gas, water, or other proposed external activities that would affect their lands, territories, and/or natural resources.

Knowledge is Power

Learning about international and national standards helps communities to defend their lands.

Explore:

Consultation
Rights Framework
Governance
Industry
Free, Prior and Informed Consent
Decision Making
Pimatisiwin
Indigenous Allyship
Identity

Featured:

The Transformative Potential of Indigenous-Driven Approaches to Implementing Free, Prior and Informed Consent: Lessons from Two Canadian Cases
Scientific Paper

2020 - English - Practical

The Transformative Potential of Indigenous-Dri…

Martin Papillon, Thierry Rodon

FPIC | Indigenous Governance | Informed Decision Making | Community Engagement | Decision Making | UNDRIP

The Transformative Potential of Indigenous-Driven Approaches to Implementing Free, Prior and Informed Consent: Lessons from Two Canadian Cases

This paper addresses two case studies, a mining policy identified in the Cree Nation of James Bay and a community-driven impact assessment process identified by the Squamish Nation. The paper aims to articulate Indigenous-driven mechanisms and how these can transform how FPIC is implemented in practice.

Communities in the Driving Seat: A Manual on FPIC
Manual

2015 - English - Simple

Communities in the Driving Seat: A Manual on F…

Social Entrepreneurs for Sustainable Development

Consultation | FPIC | Indigenous Governance | Consultation | Decision Making | Inherent Rights | Self-Determination

Communities in the Driving Seat: A Manual on FPIC

This excellent plain language manual describes Free Prior and Informed Consent for Indigenous communities and provides 4 steps in the FPIC process: Community mobilization, Negotiation, Decision Making, Project Monitoring. The manual ends with a discussion of ways to get a fair deal between communities and companies.

Backgrounder: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act
Official Statement

2021 - English - Simple

Backgrounder: United Nations Declaration on th…

Government of Canada

Rights and Legal Framework | Canadian Law | Inherent Rights | UNDRIP

Backgrounder: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act

This backgrounder produced by the Government of Canada outlines the recent passing of Bill C-15.

Latest News:

The Rise of Indigenous Resource Interests – Pathway to Success
News Article

2021 - English - Simple

The Rise of Indigenous Resource Interests – Pa…

Maureen McCall

Indigenous Governance | Decision Making | Inherent Rights | Land Stewardship | Social & Cultural Impacts

The Rise of Indigenous Resource Interests – Pathway to Success

This news article discusses the factors influencing decision making by First Nations within the natural resource sector in Canada.

Uncommon Ground: The Impact of Natural Resource Corruption on Indigenous Peoples
News Article

2020 - English - Simple

Uncommon Ground: The Impact of Natural Resourc…

Carter Squires, Landau Kelsey, Robin J. Lewis

Industry | Business Practices | Decision Making | Land Access

Uncommon Ground: The Impact of Natural Resource Corruption on Indigenous Peoples

This news article discusses contextual factors that can allow for more effective resource governance on Indigenous land in Brazil, Peru, and Canada.

New Community-Driven Project Aims to Support Revitalization of Indigenous Languages for Current and Coming Generations
News Article

2022 - English - Simple

New Community-Driven Project Aims to Support R…

Bev Betkowski

Indigenous Governance | Community Engagement | Self-Determination | Social & Cultural Impacts | Traditional Knowledge

New Community-Driven Project Aims to Support Revitalization of Indigenous Languages for Current and Coming Generations

This news article presents a community-based project - Supporting Indigenous Language Revitalization (SILR). This project's goal is to incorporate community and Indigenous led efforts to preserve and strengthen Indigenous languages across Turtle Island.