Environmental Assessment and Saskatchewan’s First Nations: A Resource Handbook

This resource handbook, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in 2008, provides guidance for First Nations communities in Saskatchewan on participating in environmental assessment (EA) processes. It outlines the roles of provincial and federal governments, the responsibilities of project proponents, and the legal framework surrounding the Crown's duty to consult. The document offers practical strategies for First Nations to build internal capacity, access funding, and engage in the EA process to protect their lands, rights, and cultural interests.

• Environmental Assessment (EA) is a predictive process used to identify and minimize adverse environmental, social, and cultural impacts of a proposed project before it is implemented. It aims to incorporate these factors into decision-making to avoid environmental disasters and ensure the sustainable use of natural resources.
• The Crown has a legal duty to consult First Nations to ensure that Aboriginal and Treaty rights, as defined in Section 35 of the Constitution Act, are not infringed upon by government approval of projects. This duty is informed by Supreme Court of Canada cases such as Haida Nation v. B.C. (2004), which establishes that the government, not industry, is obligated to negotiate land use, and Mikisew Cree First Nation v. Canada (2005), which links the duty to consult to the taking up of land that adversely affects rights.

APA

Rust, C., & McLeod, B. (2008). Environmental Assessment and Saskatchewan’s First Nations: A Resource Handbook. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/environmental_assessment_sask.pdf

Chicago

Rust, Christa, and Brenda McLeod. Environmental Assessment and Saskatchewan’s First Nations: A Resource Handbook. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2008. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/environmental_assessment_sask.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Rust |first1=Christa |last2=McLeod |first2=Brenda |title=Environmental Assessment and Saskatchewan’s First Nations: A Resource Handbook |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=27 June 2008 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/environmental_assessment_sask.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rust2008environmental, author = {Rust, Christa and McLeod, Brenda}, title = {{Environmental Assessment and Saskatchewan’s First Nations: A Resource Handbook}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2008}, month = jun, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/environmental_assessment_sask.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }