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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:

Featured:

FPIC in Canada: Towards a New Relationship with Indigenous Peoples
Essay

2016 - English - Academic

FPIC in Canada: Towards a New Relationship wit…

Torys LLP


A review of all legal implications of FPIC including Canadian, international, etc. What the current state of aboriginal affairs is in Canada and how we can implement FPIC moving forward.

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


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

Communities in the Driving Seat: A Manual on FPIC
Manual

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.

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


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


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


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.