Addressing Cumulative Effects through an Indigenous-led Assessment Process

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Social Science
• Indigenous Studies

Background:

• Cumulative effects assessments often lack clarity on incorporating social and cultural impacts.
• Canadian expectations are evolving to include Indigenous community impacts and Indigenous-led Impact Assessment.
• There's a need for improved processes to assess the broad spectrum of social and cultural effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore and improve processes for assessing cumulative effects.
• To draw from an Indigenous-led approach to enhance impact assessments.
• To identify guiding principles for integrating Indigenous perspectives into cumulative effects assessments.

Main Methods:

• Collaborative project led by the Tŝilhqot'in National Government and UBC's Centre for Environmental Assessment Research.
• Exploration of Indigenous-led approaches to cumulative effects assessment.
• Identification and discussion of six guiding principles for impact assessment.

Main Results:

• Six guiding principles for improving cumulative effects assessments were identified.
• These principles offer a framework for integrating Indigenous knowledge and perspectives.
• The Tŝilhqot'in Nation's evolving Impact Assessment and Cumulative Effects Assessment processes were examined.

Conclusions:

• An Indigenous-led approach is crucial for comprehensive cumulative effects assessments.
• The identified principles can enhance the consideration of social and cultural impacts.
• Integrating Indigenous-led methodologies leads to more robust and equitable impact assessments.