We wish to work together with Aboriginal communities that are in the vicinity of the communities involved in Step 3 and are learning about the project in order to understand traditional and contemporary perspectives in answering the question: "How might traditional and contemporary views regarding land stewardship help us understand how a major development project, such as that proposed by the NWMO, must be implemented?"
A program of resources is made available to Aboriginal communities at both the local and regional level. We are seeking to answer the following questions:
- Which Aboriginal peoples live in the area which is in the vicinity of the communities involved in the site selection process and need to be involved in decision-making?
- Are there cultural practices and traditional laws of which we should be aware?
- How might Aboriginal peoples in the area be respectfully involved in learning about the project and decision-making on the path forward?
- How is well-being defined by the community or regional area, and what is the vision for the area today and over the long term?
- What is the traditional, historical and current use of the land and area?
- What are the considerations in deciding where and how the project will be implemented, and how the well-being of the people and the environment in the area will be assured?
Resources are available to Aboriginal communities and regional organizations in the vicinity of communities in the siting process in the early stages of Step 3: