FNMPC and Firelight release primer on Indigenous‑led project assessments

The First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) and Firelight have released a new joint primer, An Introduction to Indigenous-Led Assessment: Key Considerations and Principles. The guide aims to help Indigenous nations assert authority over assessment processes for major projects that affect their lands, rights and communities.

Many Indigenous nations in Canada have long criticized government-led impact assessments for overlooking their values, knowledge systems and decision-making authority. In response, some nations are creating their own Indigenous-led assessment (ILA) processes—either independently or in collaboration with federal and provincial systems. The primer offers practical, step-by-step guidance and tools for designing and running ILAs, whether a nation is starting its first assessment or strengthening an existing process. It draws on lessons from nations that have led ILAs, cites academic and regulatory research, and gives examples of both collaborative and independent approaches.

Information on Indigenous-led assessments can be found here. Melody Lepine, business lead for Indigenous-led assessment at Firelight, stated the primer provides essential tools for advancing Indigenous-led assessments and captures lessons learned so nations can shape assessments according to their laws, values and decision-making processes.

Angel Ransom, senior vice president of environmental services at FNMPC, added that Indigenous nations have the right to decide what happens on their lands, and the primer helps communities lead assessments on their own terms while engaging proponents and governments in ways that respect Indigenous values.

This publication is part of FNMPC’s Don’t Tickety Box Me campaign, which promotes Indigenous self-determination and responsible project development. It emphasizes the need to make room for Indigenous processes early in project planning and relationship building, not just within regulatory frameworks.

An Introduction to Indigenous-Led Assessment: Key Considerations and Principles is available to download from FNMPC at www.Fnmpc.ca and Firelight at https://Firelight.ca.