Services

At Conterra, we believe in negotiating long-term relationships and not simply benefits agreements.  To do this, we believe that negotiations undertaken on behalf of our First Nation clients should be directed by the First Nation and set in a community development context so that the contribution of each negotiated agreement can be seen measured as to how it contributes to achieving community objectives.

• We work to ensure a balance between the components of the negotiation process – mandate development, negotiations and linkage
• The mandate process is staged with an opening mandate, a community-based process through which ongoing instructions and feedback can be received and a process for developing and receiving a closing mandate
• The linkage, or communication process is designed to engage those who may be affected either positively or negatively by the outcome of the negotiations

Chris has been involved in the modern treaty process since 1986 with the renewal of the Council for Yukon First Nations comprehensive claim process. John’s involvement includes many years of direct negotiations to leading BC’s negotiations division though the critical years of completing BC’s first treaties. We believe that the treaty process can be a significant tool for community development. With any negotiation, a First Nation needs to ensure that it has an alternative to a final treaty agreement and that capacity development is a key factor in their treaty approach

• As with major project negotiations, we work with First Nations to construct a robust and responsive mandate development process
• Our approach is for First Nations to retain an appropriate interest in all of their traditional territory not merely on settlement land

A defining objective for most First Nations is to balance their stewardship responsibility for the lands and resources in the territory with the need to create an economy for their citizens. We have worked with our clients to achieve that balance through a variety of agreements and policies

• Inclusion of impact management commitments in all major project agreements
• Development of First Nation Land and Resource Stewardship policies
• Protected area and special management area agreements
• Development of bio-regional atlas, a  comprehensive description of the traditional territory (historical uses, current activity, physical and cultural assets), as an input into land & resource planning and management
• Community-driven policies and plans related to the preservation, stewardship and responsible development of cultural resources.

Our philosophy is to assess and utilize the assets in a First Nation traditional territory by adding value to an existing or new proposed use of lands and resources through partnerships. First Nations can add value by virtue of their local and traditional knowledge, resident workforce, core business capacity and their Aboriginal rights and title without compromising their stewardship values.

• We have negotiated a wide range of procurement and service and supply opportunities in major project agreements
• We have utilized a full range of mechanisms to achieve First Nation goals – bid preferences, First Nation content, favoured trading partner relationships, targeted set asides and direct awards
• Deb is familiar with and has structured a range of First Nation/private sector arrangements from basic revenue sharing and employment agreements through to limited partnership/equity agreements

Our goal is to assist First Nations to develop government to government agreements that are based on recognition, are respectful and set out areas of appropriate jurisdiction. We have assisted in negotiating inter-governmental agreements between First Nation and all other levels of public government in Canada

• The first local government agreements to locate public services on reserve
• Joint land development and property tax sharing
• Consultation and referral management agreements
• Stand-alone self-government agreements
• Reconciliation agreements

We work with First Nations to negotiate a share of the government revenues that are generated from their traditional territory. This is an area of growth and an expression of fairness given the underlying First Nation title. There is still a long way to go in terms of the areas and amounts associated with revenue sharing, but we are pleased to have been on the leading edge of this important initiative.

• Forest revenue sharing
• Sharing of land rents and revenues
• Mineral tax revenue sharing
• LNG revenue sharing
• GST and income tax sharing

We understand that financial independence and sustainability are key components to First Nation’s community objectives. Matt has the background and experience to provide First Nations with the tools necessary to work toward those goals

• Systems, routines and controls which provide financial accountability and transparency.
• Reporting and forecasting tools which enable strategic, long-term financial planning and decision-making.

Conterra holds the strong view that their work must provide the opportunity for First Nations to build real world capacity instead of dependence on outside consultants.  Using a caucus approach and working side-by-side with First Nations clients at the negotiating table, Conterra has successfully fostered individual and organizational ability for communities to chart their own course.  For example:

• Chris has designed and delivered numerous negotiation and mediation training modules on his own and through the Justice Institute of BC, always recognizing training needs to be practical not theoretical to have impact
• John is a certified coach who has worked directly with individuals and organizations to achieve success in personal and organizational goals, as well as designing and delivering training modules within organizations
• Matt has worked directly in First Nations administrative offices to mentor best practices related to financial management, and has coached, mentored and trained dozens of startups and entrepreneurs across a wide variety of sectors
• Deb has worked directly with individuals and in First Nations to ensure that capacity building obligations and measures are in place for the stakeholders, as well as worked to secure funds for necessary capacity building.

At Conterra we believe that fostering and enhancing community well-being must be at the centre of all the work we do.  Without proactive measures to protect and empower community members, project benefits can quickly become a negative rather than a community builder.  To achieve this central goal Conterra has assisted in the negotiations of:

• BC’s first single small community Reconciliation Agreement;
• Community Wellness Working Groups to ensure an ongoing relationship with government to achieve community well-being initiatives and goals;
• Employment provisions that lead to long-term employment not simply endless training and that address the full spectrum of community members from entry-level jobs to career development; and
• Socio-economic mitigation measures that ensure communities and their citizens are protected when major development occurs.