--- 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/es-cl/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 Director de Medio Ambiente, Este de Canadá Leer bio [ ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mario-cantin-18b00199/) **Durante más de 30 años,** Mario ha apoyado a desarrolladores y tomadores de decisión en la integración de desafíos ambientales y regulatorios en proyectos mineros, de petróleo y gas, industriales y energéticos. **Áreas de especialización** - Gestión de requisitos ambientales, gobernanza, autoridades y objetivos de negocio - Comunicación estratégica y consultoría - Evaluación de impacto ambiental de proyectos - Planificación del uso del suelo **Principales logros:** Mario ha contribuido a más de 200 proyectos, incluidos numerosos proyectos internacionales en América, África, Europa y Australia. Ha liderado mandatos multidisciplinarios para desarrolladores de primer nivel, a menudo en entornos remotos y complejos. **Enfoque y valor añadido:** El liderazgo estratégico de Mario contribuye a reducir riesgos, acelerar la toma de decisiones y fortalecer la credibilidad de los proyectos. 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. Gerente de departamento, Oficina de Medio Ambiente del Este de Canadá Leer bio [ ](http://linkedin.com/in/jean-francois-bourque-a7664a33) **Jean-François Bourque cuenta con más de 20 años de experiencia en la integración ambiental de proyectos mineros,** apoyando el cumplimiento de la normativa y las operaciones sostenibles en la industria minera y metalúrgica. **Áreas de especialización y certificaciones** - Evaluaciones de impacto de proyectos mineros complejos - Gestión de riesgos ambientales - Coordinación de equipos multidisciplinarios - Estrategias de cumplimiento normativo **Principales logros:** Supervisión de evaluaciones ambientales de proyectos mineros complejos, integrando el cumplimiento normativo, optimizando el uso de los recursos y reduciendo el impacto en entornos sensibles. **Enfoque y valor añadido:** Jean-François propone estrategias pragmáticas y sólidas que reducen el impacto ambiental, apoyan el desempeño sostenible y promueven el éxito de los proyectos mineros. - [ 17 ago 2026 Structural engineering early phase: unlocking value through early decisions - ![Nicolas Samson](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/197852/Nicolas-Samson.webp) Nicolas Samson, P.Eng. Senior Engineer, Structural ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/es-cl/perspectivas/structural-engineering-early-phase-unlocking-value-through-early-decisions "Structural engineering early phase: unlocking value through early decisions") - [ 12 ago 2026 Four mistakes that can harm the future performance of industrial assets - ![Caroline provost](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/208557/Caroline-provost.webp) Caroline Provost P.Eng. Director, Operational Strategy Implementation ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/es-cl/perspectivas/four-mistakes-that-can-harm-the-future-performance-of-industrial-assets "Four mistakes that can harm the future performance of industrial assets") - [ 27 jul 2026 Minería y metalurgia Por qué las decisiones tempranas sobre relaves definen el desempeño de la mina a largo plazo - ![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/es-cl/perspectivas/las-decisiones-sobre-relaves-definen-desempeno-mina-a-largo-plazo "Por qué las decisiones tempranas sobre relaves definen el desempeño de la mina a largo plazo") - [ 02 jul 2026 Minería y metalurgia Python: Una herramienta clave para el análisis de datos en el procesamiento de minerales - ![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/es-cl/perspectivas/python-una-herramienta-clave-para-analisis-datos-en-procesamiento-minerales "Python: Una herramienta clave para el análisis de datos en el procesamiento de minerales") [ Ver todo ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/es-cl/perspectivas "Ir a la página del listado de Publications") - [ 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/es-cl/publications/industrial-companies-are-spearheading-the-fight-against-climate-change1 "Industrial companies are spearheading the fight against climate change") [ Ver todo ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/es-cl/perspectivas) 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