Session Description
As impact assessment evolved in the past 5 decades, so have the standards for environmental protection, legislative tools, mitigation strategies, and stakeholder engagement practices. However, IA regulations and funding have swayed with changes in government and global concerns. There have been winners and losers from each IA process and decision, and while some may view these developments as evidence of progress, others point to the persistent inequitable distribution of project benefits and impacts across different demographic groups. Many longstanding challenges, such as cumulative effects, inequitable distribution of benefits and impacts, and Indigenous rights, continue to persist. This forces us to ask how IA can truly move towards more equitable outcomes.
Studies have shown the world’s most vulnerable will suffer more of the consequences from climate change, and Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ peoples experience disproportionate project impacts and unequal benefits from large development projects. This workshop explores how Indigenous knowledge and intersectional approaches such as Culturally Relevant Gender Based Analysis Plus (CR)GBA+ and the Seven Generations principle as reflected in many Indigenous teachings across what is now Canada can offer insights on long-term stewardship, intergenerational responsibility, and more equitable outcomes for diverse sub-groups.
By examining lessons from the past seven generations while looking forward into seven generations, participants will work together on how IAs will continue to evolve to meet new challenges with impact mitigation in response to lessons learned from past inequalities.
Session Summary
Has progress in IA benefited everyone equally? Drawing on the Indigenous principle of Seven Generations and Culturally Relevant GBA+, this workshop explores practical approaches to creating more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable impact assessment processes.
Session Chair
Sherry Da
Keepers of the Circle
Canada
Session Co-chair
Alexandra Bridges
Keepers of the Circle
Canada