--- title: Valuing Indigenous knowledge to develop natural resources sustainably date: 2024-06-25T09:33:00-04:00 author: jessica napert canonical_url: "https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/publications/valuing-indigenous-knowledge-to-develop-natural-resources-sustainably" section: Publications --- The summer solstice is spiritually significant to many Indigenous communities. That's why June 21, the longest day of the year, was named National Indigenous Peoples Day. It marks a time to acknowledge the history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples across Canada. 1. It's also a time to acknowledge the impacts that some projects have had on Indigenous communities and their ancestral lands and to ensure that processes are implemented to incorporate their voices and know-how. “Obtaining social acceptance from a community upstream of a project is essential today and helps foster harmonious, sustainable development,” explains [](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAABTS17sBDcOG0URtqieLWxYSgrYkD91DttE)[Mario Cantin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mario-cantin-18b00199/), Environment Director, Eastern Canada. “The adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) as a framework for reconciliation was an important step in this direction.” The UNDRIP framework involves the following actions: \- Engage in meaningful consultations. \- Obtain the free, prior and informed consent of Indigenous peoples. \- Ensure equitable access to project opportunities. \- Ensure long-term benefits for communities. “Indigenous peoples are self-governing, with their own laws, policies and interests,” says [](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAAcJRXoB5znfU3JuXrpi5tPfIss9mfMjt0s)[Jean-Francois Bourque](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jean-francois-bourque-a7664a33/), department manager for our environmental team in eastern Canada. “It's essential to treat them with the seriousness and respect this entails. This is obviously in the interests of the project, but it's also a very concrete way of moving forward to reconciliation.” First Nations, Inuit and Métis have thousands of years of knowledge of the land where we live. They know every detail and have been its guardians for generations. Developing natural resources unequivocally requires partnerships where their voices are heard, valued and put to use. Enjoy the celebrations! 2. This content is for general information purposes only. All rights reserved ©BBA 1. ![Pr employee men mario cantin retouch web SQ LR BBA](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/204325/pr_employee_men_mario-cantin_retouch_web_SQ_LR_BBA.webp) Mario Cantin, B.Sc., VEA/EESA Environment Director, Eastern Canada Read bio [ ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mario-cantin-18b00199/) **For over 30 years,** Mario has supported developers and decision-makers in integrating environmental and regulatory challenges into mining, oil, gas, industrial and energy projects. **Key expertise** - Navigating environmental requirements, governance, authorities and business objectives - Strategic communication and consulting - Assessing environmental impacts of projects - Land-use planning **Major achievements:** Mario has contributed to over 200 projects, including many international projects across the Americas, Africa, Europe and Australia. He has led multidisciplinary mandates for major developers, often in remote and complex environments. **Approach and added value:** Mario's strategic leadership helps reduce risk, speed up decision-making and strengthen project credibility. 2. ![Mm employee men jean francois bourque retouch web SQ LR BBA](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/210026/mm_employee_men_jean-francois-bourque_retouch_web_SQ_LR_BBA.webp) Jean-François Bourque, Biol., M.Sc. Department Manager, Eastern Canada Environment Office Read bio [ ](http://linkedin.com/in/jean-francois-bourque-a7664a33) **Jean-François Bourque brings over 20 years of experience in environmental integration of mining projects**, supporting compliance and sustainable operations in the mining and metals industry. **Key expertise and certifications** - Impact assessments for complex mining projects - Environmental risk management - Multidisciplinary team coordination - Regulatory compliance strategies **Major achievements:** Supervised environmental assessments for complex mining projects, integrating regulatory compliance, optimizing resource use and reducing impacts on sensitive environments. **Approach and added value:** Jean-François proposes pragmatic and robust strategies that reduce environmental impacts, support sustainable performance and promote mining project success. - [ 27 Jul 2026 Mining and Metals Early tailings decisions shape long-term mine performance - ![Geraldine Cosset](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/206707/Geraldine-Cosset.webp) - ![Jared Purdy](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/212424/Jared-Purdy.webp) ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/insights/early-tailings-decisions-shape-long-term-mine-performance "Early tailings decisions shape long-term mine performance") - [ 02 Jul 2026 Mining and Metals Python: A key tool for data analysis in mineral processing - ![Charles Blais](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/211197/Charles-Blais.webp) - ![Juan Pablo Vergara](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/211266/Juan-Pablo-Vergara.webp) ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/insights/python-a-key-tool-for-data-analysis-in-mineral-processing "Python: A key tool for data analysis in mineral processing") - [ 19 Jun 2026 Mining and Metals Speed is earned early in projects - ![Mm employee men jean lheureux retouch web SQ LR BBA](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/204266/mm_employee_men_jean-lheureux_retouch_web_SQ_LR_BBA.webp) - ![Mm employee men benoit richard retouch web SQ LR BBA](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/203602/mm_employee_men_benoit-richard_retouch_web_SQ_LR_BBA.webp) ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/insights/speed-is-earned-early-in-projects "Speed is earned early in projects") - [ 17 Jun 2026 Industrial data platforms: building a solid foundation to optimize your operations - ![Pierre Boucher](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/2671/Pierre-Boucher.webp) Pierre Boucher, P.Eng. Senior Engineer, Operational Technology and Infrastructure ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/insights/industrial-data-platforms-building-a-solid-foundation-to-optimize-your-operations "Industrial data platforms: building a solid foundation to optimize your operations") [ See all ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/insights "Go to Publications listing page") - [ 18 Jul 2024 Industrial companies are spearheading the fight against climate change - ![Dave Olsthoorn](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/146851/DaveOlsthoorn.webp) - ![Jeremie Cote](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/206702/Jeremie-Cote.webp) ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/publications/industrial-companies-are-spearheading-the-fight-against-climate-change1 "Industrial companies are spearheading the fight against climate change") [ See all ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/insights) The summer solstice is spiritually significant to many Indigenous communities. That's why June 21, the longest day of the year, was named National Indigenous Peoples Day. It marks a time to acknowledge the history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples across Canada. 1. It's also a time to acknowledge the impacts that some projects have had on Indigenous communities and their ancestral lands and to ensure that processes are implemented to incorporate their voices and know-how. “Obtaining social acceptance from a community upstream of a project is essential today and helps foster harmonious, sustainable development,” explains [](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAABTS17sBDcOG0URtqieLWxYSgrYkD91DttE)[Mario Cantin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mario-cantin-18b00199/), Environment Director, Eastern Canada. “The adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) as a framework for reconciliation was an important step in this direction.” The UNDRIP framework involves the following actions: \- Engage in meaningful consultations. \- Obtain the free, prior and informed consent of Indigenous peoples. \- Ensure equitable access to project opportunities. \- Ensure long-term benefits for communities. “Indigenous peoples are self-governing, with their own laws, policies and interests,” says [](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAAcJRXoB5znfU3JuXrpi5tPfIss9mfMjt0s)[Jean-Francois Bourque](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jean-francois-bourque-a7664a33/), department manager for our environmental team in eastern Canada. “It's essential to treat them with the seriousness and respect this entails. This is obviously in the interests of the project, but it's also a very concrete way of moving forward to reconciliation.” First Nations, Inuit and Métis have thousands of years of knowledge of the land where we live. They know every detail and have been its guardians for generations. Developing natural resources unequivocally requires partnerships where their voices are heard, valued and put to use. Enjoy the celebrations! 2. This content is for general information purposes only. All rights reserved ©BBA