Principles for Engagement of Indigenous Peoples

The Government of Canada and the Alto Team will include Indigenous Peoples at every step in the project in an open and flexible way. The following principles and objectives will guide us.

Relationship Building

Continue to build and maintain meaningful working relationships based on trust, integrity, openness, and credibility by acknowledging the past while committing to doing better in the future and ensuring that respect governs all interactions.

Mutual Respect

Undertake dialogue and engage in activities in a manner that promotes mutual respect and understanding.

Collaboration

Use a collaborative approach to meaningful and respectful engagement with Indigenous Peoples while working toward mutually beneficial outcomes.

Integrated and Inclusive Approaches

Ensure that all parties are working to a common goal by designing and utilizing engagement activities to develop a holistic understanding (social, economic, cultural, environmental, and historical contexts, intergovernmental issues, Indigenous Knowledge and uses).

Indigenous Expertise

Dialogue is critical to understanding Nation and community-specific instructions around Indigenous Knowledge processes and protocols for considering Indigenous Knowledge during the project planning process, with permission, when provided.

Cultural Awareness

Continuously demonstrate awareness of and respect for the unique culture and needs of the Indigenous Peoples by:

• Showing awareness of and following community-specific communication protocols, as appropriate
• Using culturally appropriate materials to ensure a thorough and successful Indigenous engagement process