Arctic Athabaskan Council - Canada

AAC is a clearing house mechanism to gather information for the Treaty members. The AAC Board of Governors (BOG) is the Chair and Vice Chair (who do not vote) and members.

Dene Nation is actively developing our role and the effectiveness in the Arctic Athabaskan Council (AAC) Canada. AAC enables the Dene National Office to work on environment issues at the international level. The bulk of work is directed at the Arctic Council, where AAC is one of six permanent participants (the three Canadian PPs are Gwich'in Council International, Inuit Circumpolar Conference and AAC). Our main activities include participation on working groups including the Sustainable Development Working Group and the Arctic Monitoring Assessment Program. The later is the international face of the Northern Contaminants Program. We contributed to reports and assessments including the Arctic Human Development Report (2005), ACIA, Reindeer Husbandry and Wild Caribou Report, and the on-going Arctic Hydrocarbon Assessment Report.

AAC Vice-Chair International is the Dene National Chief and the Manager Lands and Environment serves as an Advisor to AAC-Canada. The AAC Secretariat is in Whitehorse and the international Chair is in Alaska. The international Chair will come to Canada (2007-2009). Funding for AAC comes through the AAC Secretariat and most of our funding is from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and the Walter Duncan Gordon Foundation.

 

AAC participated on Canada’s delegation to the first Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Stockholm Convention ( Stockholm), in Punta del Este, Uruguay (5/2-6/05). Stockholm, negotiated since the late 1980s, is the main international chemicals treaty under the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) for the elimination and control of 12 intentionally and unintentionally produced persistent organic pollutants (POPs). POPs can be detrimental to human health. Stockholm has a mechanism to consider new and emerging POPs. Two older chemicals treaties, the Basel Convention and the Rotterdam Convention, have a bearing (synergies) on the performance of Stockholm. COP 1 (2005) is the start of the implementation of Stockholm’s articles, including development of: National Implementation Plans (NIPs), rules of procedure, financial mechanisms, POPs review committee (POPRC), Best Available Practices (BAP)/Best Environmental Techniques (BET), a permanent Secretariat, and decisions related to DDT. Dene Nation was involved with Stockholm through a partnership of northern Indigenous organizations known as the Canadian Arctic Indigenous Peoples Against POPs (CAIPAP).

Research on contaminant levels in Denendeh show low risks and high benefits from a traditional foods diet. Results have been published in peer review literature by various scientists (Gary Stern, Marlene Evans, Harriet Kuhneline, et al.); as well as in the Canadian Arctic Contaminants Assessment Report (CACAR 1997, 2003), and the AMAP reports. Dene Nation attended the NIP/National Action Plan meetings (Edmonton/Ottawa 2004), with a follow-up national meeting (Ottawa 2005 -NIP/NAP and BET/BAP-CCME).

The main objectives recommended at COP 1 were achieved. Main issues included language on financing of NIPs and rules of procedure. The Global Environment Fund (GEF) will be the interim financial mechanism for Stockholm. There was debate about creating a separate fund. There was considerable debate over regional and national centers for Stockholm. The POPRC was established with Germany and China appointed as Co-Chairs. Countries will have either a two or four year term, with 32 members. A two year “limited-life” BAP/BET committee was established, lead by Sweden. A permanent Secretariat will be established in Geneva, Switzerland. The COP formulated weak language on limits to the use of DDT and exemptions to Stockholm. COP 2 in Geneva in May 2006.

The Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) is enabling legislation for Canada on POPs and toxic substances. It is currently undergoing a 5 year review (starting this fall). Minister Dion floated the idea of introducing CO2 (greenhouse gas) to CEPA (changing the toxics definition), but has not spoken on the issue. There are separate programs for local and long range contaminants (funding and partnership) in Canada. NCP is the main program for long range contaminants in northern Canada. Dene can access limited funds through our domestic organizations due to risk based funding allocations. EC/INACs Contaminated Sites superfund focuses primarily on site assessment, mitigation of high priority/liability sites, and participation of directly impacted communities with little involvement of national/international Indigenous organizations. A gap results from the limited engagement of higher scale Indigenous organizations on contaminated sites.

An important question facing us today is how Dene will continue to work with others to safe-guard northern Canada. AAC participation in NCP and Stockholm makes sense. There is still a northern Indigenous Partnership (CAIPAP) but what is required to maintain and build the partnership of northern Indigenous Peoples? We should talk about these issues at the Arctic Leaders Summit ( Hay River, December 12-15, 2005).

 

AAC Canada attended the second week (May 23-27) of the fourth United Nations (UN) Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York (May 15-27). AAC was asked by RAIPON in 2003 to host the 4 th Arctic Leaders Summit (ALS). AAC AGM passed a resolution in 2004 to host the ALS. Dene National Assembly (2004) and Dene Leadership (2005) passed motions to host the meeting in Katloodeeche ( Hay River ).

AAC Vice Chair International Noeline Villebrun (Dene National Chief, AAC Advisor Dr Chris Paci (Manager Lands and Environment, Dene Nation), ALS Coordinator Shirley LaMalice (Hay River), AAC Exec. Director Cindy Dickson (Director Circumpolar Relations CYFN), Senior Advisor Dave Roddick (contractor), Alisa Kelly (CYFN staff) were present in New York . We meet with Saami Council and RAIPON and have set the ALS for December 11-14, to follow the UNFCCC COP XI in Montreal . The theme for the meeting will be Climate Change and Oil and Gas in the Circumpolar.

AAC ( Whitehorse ) hosted a workshop in July on Oil and Gas in the north. Chief Kochon (Behczi Ahda First Nation) attended for Dene Nation. RAIPON is also hosting an Oil and Gas workshop in Russia in August and would like to attend and present our views there. AAC has committed to look for funds for this meeting.