Recently completed projects include impact benefit negotiations, self-government negotiations, Aboriginal Head Start On-Reserve, strategic planning, Post-secondary education policy and program analysis, and K-12 education best practices. Here are some examples of our most recent work.

Attawapiskat First Nation Impact Benefits Agreement
Attawapiskat First Nation and DeBeers Canada negotiated an Impact Benefit Agreement as a condition for the establishment of a diamond mine within Attawapiskat First Nation’s traditional territory. Chignecto Consulting Group provided the following services:
• Negotiation Organization and Structure technical advice
• Negotiation Support
• Research and Analysis
• Environmental Expertise
• Engineering Expertise
• Financial Expertise

Attawapiskat First Nation Resources Inc.
Chignecto supported the Attawapiskat First Nation in its negotiations and consultations towards an Impact Benefit Agreement with De Beers Canada Inc. for the proposed Victor Diamond Project. A key objective of the negotiations was to ensure that the First Nation would benefit economically from the development of the Victor Mine. This was achieved by building into the IBA a unique contracting process which gave significant advantages to Attawapiskat businesses while still providing De Beers assurance of fair price and quality. Concurrently, Chignecto assisted with the negotiation of joint ventures with established companies. Attawapiskat Resources Inc., the company put in place to manage the joint ventures, has received over $150 million worth of contracts in the first year of the mine construction.

Ontario First Nation Technical Corporation
Chignecto facilitated a 2-phase strategic planning process with the Ontario-based group to identify priorities and directions for the group during its transition phase. The strategic process incorporated a SWOT assessment and goal setting from which to develop a business case for the organization.

Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Sectoral Negotiations on Education Jurisdiction
Chignecto Consulting provided technical advice to the NAN Education Jurisdiction sectoral negotiations on self-governance, the NAN Education Committee, and the Deputy Grand Chief. Advice includes negotiations strategies, communications strategic planning and implementation, and materials design and development.

Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nation Chiefs
Chignecto has undertaken several projects related to social services, water policy, and on-reserve housing policy advice. Our services included adapting the First Nations’ social assistance policy manual to include a case management approach, a comparison of social assistance benefits between reserves and provincial pracitces, and preparing briefs for policy meetings.

Chiefs of Ontario Workshop and Report on INAC PTO Policy and Funding Review
Chignecto Consulting assisted the Chiefs of Ontario in preparing a report on the Operations of the Chiefs of Ontario in response to INAC’s national review of all Provincial and Territorial Organizations (PTOs). The report addressed key information about its current roles, including its strategic foundations, organizational structure, roles and responsibilities, accountability regime and key accomplishments. It also outlined the current funding challenges facing the Chiefs of Ontario organization and provided guidance on how those challenges might effectively be addressed in a revised PTO policy. Chignecto Consulting also facilitated a workshop to enable each territorial organization in the region to review and clarify the current and future relationship among member territorial organizations and the Chiefs of Ontario office within the context of INAC’s review of the PTOs.

Native Language – Phase III – Report on current utilization and success of immersion programs within Nishnawbe Aski Nation, across Canada and Internationally.
Chignecto Consulting Group Inc. completed a research report that discussed the current utilization and success of immersion programs within Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), across Canada and internationally. The report will assist NAN First Nations in making decisions with respect to immersion programs and to project any additional education costs associated with immersion programming for inclusion in the funding levels associated with a Final Agreement on Education Jurisdiction.

Innu Nation Technical Advice Resource Negotiations
Chignecto Consulting provided negotiation support on major projects, including the recently completed Impact Benefits Agreement between Voisey’s Bay Nickel Company (INCO), Indian Act registration and reserve creation, and program devolution e.g., child and family services, education, income support.

Onigaming First Nation - Mikinaak Onigaming School
Along with Harvard University, Chignecto partnered with the Mikinaak Onigaming School to improve the delivery and administration of education at Onigaming First Nation. We developed community consultation materials and used them as a teaching tool to inform parents/caretakers and community members about the initiative and the value of education.

Mattagami First Nation
Chignecto led an Education System review for Mattagami First Nation where all aspects of the local education system were assessed, including: facilities and resources, curriculum, governance, administration, teachers, students, the surrounding environment, and funding arrangements. The results of this process included new policies and program priorities, and a renewed interest in the local education system by the community as a whole.