aboriginal affairs

Serving Aboriginal Clients & Working with Aboriginal Peoples:

Whether you are an Aboriginal client dealing with governments or the private sector, or whether you are a non-Aboriginal client seeking our advice and expertise to work with Aboriginal peoples, Bluesky can help. Our Aboriginal Affairs team works directly with you and on your behalf to bridge the divide and achieve mutually beneficial objectives.

Bluesky’s Aboriginal Approach: Respect, Knowledge & Expertise.

Respect

Bluesky respects each of our First Nation, Inuit, and Metis clients. We understand and appreciate that each of our clients has unique aspirations, circumstances and a specific, inviolable Aboriginal and Treaty rights. We actively work with our clients in the process of addressing their needs and concerns. We assist our clients to address immediate challenges and work with them to further develop and enhance their internal capacity, skills and experience.

Knowledge

Bluesky understands that many First Nation and other Aboriginal communities face the reality of increasing demands and reduced resources. We know that many communities are also adjusting to new demands from government, industry and the private sector to participate in discussions and negotiations related to consultation and accommodation. We can complement and enhance your existing legal, policy and communications expertise by providing our external perspective and experiences to develop and implement your tailor-made corporate, government and communications strategies.

Expertise

Bluesky’s expertise in Aboriginal Affairs centres on core competencies, unique requirements and acknowledgement of specific rights and mechanisms, required for successful engagement between non-Aboriginal and First Nation, Inuit and Metis communities and organizations.

These include:

• Relationship Building: Bluesky will actively work with you to develop the trusted relationships that are so fundamental to Aboriginal engagement and respect timelines that are often much different than those in non-Aboriginal dealings. Whether you are a government department or agency, or a private sector company that is seeking to establish a new relationship with a potential First Nation or other Aboriginal client or partner, or whether you are an Aboriginal government or business working with government or the private sector, you already know that it is critically important to establish relationships that are based on trust, honesty and clear communications. Bluesky works with clients to ensure that dialogue is ongoing and honest. This is key to achieving mutually beneficial outcomes and managing expectations. Building these kinds of relationships requires an investment of time, energy and resources but are essential to achieving success and long-term sustainability.
• Consultation: Regardless of which side of a relationship you are on, Bluesky will work with you to ensure that all requirements and responsibilities of consultation are satisfied. We have considerable experience in design, managing and conducting meaningful and effective consultation processes for First Nations and other Aboriginal communities. Aboriginal governments, representative organizations, non-Aboriginal governments and organizations and the private sector all have varying requirements to engage in consultations that are driven by the duty of governments to consult with First Nations before making decisions or taking actions that will affect their Aboriginal and Treaty rights. Increasingly, private sector companies and organizations are seeking to engage in meaningful consultations with Aboriginal peoples about their plans and activities as part of their commitment to respectful and responsible corporate conduct and to effectively manage risk.
• Accommodation: When a proposed development or activity could infringe on Aboriginal rights or Treaty, First Nation, Metis and Inuit peoples have a Constitutional right to be accommodated. Accommodation can take many forms. Arriving at a successful accommodation agreement takes more than consultation. It may also take more than just legal negotiations. Bluesky will work with you to develop and implement a strategy to increase your likelihood of reaching a successful accommodation framework and agreement.
• Communications: Good communications is the basis of any public dialogue and relationship, whether it be in politics or business. Our expertise in understanding Aboriginal culture, traditions, relationships and priorities plays vital role in developing and implementing effective communications strategies and information campaigns where First Nation, Inuit and Metis interests are involved. Whether you are engaging with these communities from outside or are an Aboriginal client developing your message, dealing with a crisis or complex problem, or engaging in public dialogues and awareness campaigns, Bluesky can help you achieve maximum impact and success with your targeted audiences and decision-makers.
• Facilitation and Negotiation: At the very heart of any new partnership or agreement is the process and art of negotiation. Negotiations involving Aboriginal peoples are usually multi-faceted processes that involve political, legal, community, public sector and private sector components. Parties may also seek a neutral third party to play an honest broker role, or to act as a keeper of the process. Bluesky can assist you to prepare for negotiations, provide advice, support and expertise throughout the negotiation process, or conduct facilitation as an independent expert external resource.