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Call for Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committee Indigenous Caucus Members (for a term beginning April 1, 2025)

11 February 2025/IAMC-TMX/,

The Indigenous Caucus is comprised of the Indigenous members of the Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committee (the “Committee” or “IAMC”) for the Trans Mountain Pipelines and Marine Shipping (“TMX”). The IAMC was intended to operate for the life of the TMX project. Federal funding for the IAMC has been secured until March 31, 2027.

The current Indigenous Caucus’ mandate will expire on March 31, 2025. The communities affected by TMX will have the opportunity to select a representative for the Indigenous Caucus member for the next term: April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2027. The Indigenous Communities are invited to participate in the upcoming process for the selection of Indigenous Caucus members.

The 13-member Indigenous Caucus includes representatives from:

  1. Alberta First Nations (3 representatives)
  2. Alberta Métis (1 representative)
  3. BC Interior (1 representative)
  4. BC Métis (1 representative)
  5. Burrard Inlet/Lower Fraser (1 representative)
  6. Fraser Valley (1 representative)
  7. Mid-Fraser/Thompson (1 representative)
  8. Okanagan (1 representative)
  9. Vancouver Island – South (1 representative)
  10. Vancouver Island – Southeast (1 representative)
  11. Vancouver Island – Western Approach (1 representative)

Background on the Committee

The Committee was established in 2017.1 The Committee brings together six senior representatives from federal government departments and regulators who are involved in the TMX Project,2 and thirteen Indigenous representatives, selected from among the 129 potentially impacted communities along the Trans Mountain Expansion pipeline corridor and marine shipping lanes, to provide advice to regulators and to monitor the Trans Mountain Expansion.

Committee Members have a shared goal of safety and protection of environmental and Indigenous interests in the lands and water. The Committee’s activities center on advice and

monitoring on the safety, environmental and socio-economic aspects of the existing and proposed pipeline and associated marine shipping. The Committee is also working to seek regulatory change, arising from their experience in the IAMC-TMX project.

The Role of Indigenous Caucus

A key component of the Committee is the thirteen-member Indigenous Caucus, which works to bring issues of concern from Indigenous communities to the work of the Committee. The structure of the Committee, on which the Indigenous Caucus comprises a majority of members, allows Indigenous Caucus to play a deciding role in setting the agenda and priorities of the Committee.

The Committee meets at least quarterly, and more frequently as agreed to by the Committee. The Committee has several subcommittees and working groups to support its work, including Indigenous Monitoring, Marine Shipping, Socioeconomic and Emergency Management. Indigenous Caucus members sit on these subcommittees and working groups.

The time commitment for Indigenous Caucus members can vary, depending on what responsibilities Indigenous Caucus members take on. Some Indigenous Caucus members dedicate the majority of their time to Caucus work, whereas others contribute their valuable insights through participation in more targeted projects and initiatives.

It is important that Indigenous Caucus Members have sufficient time and ability to participate in Committee meetings and in sub-committee work, and that Indigenous communities trust the Indigenous representatives of their region to advance their interests and perspectives. Indigenous Caucus members are compensated for their participation in the IAMC through honoraria and travel expenses covered by the Caucus.

Proposed Selection Process

The Committee’s Terms of Reference (“TOR”) require that Indigenous Caucus develop methods for the selection of members of the Caucus and that it initiates a process for Indigenous Communities to determine how members of the Caucus will be selected, and the terms for those Caucus members going forward.

JFK Law Corporation will administer the selection process of Indigenous Caucus members.

We wish to facilitate a transparent and flexible selection process that can be tailored for each region, to allow each region to select members in a manner that suits that region.

Selection by Consensus

If a region is able to select a representative by consensus, then this approach may be pursued. A consensus, for instance, may be a Tribal Council Resolution, a signed letter of support from elected Chiefs of a majority of Indigenous communities in the region, or another approach that reaches consensus. If your region is able to select a representative by consensus before the end of the nomination period, then the name of the representative and supporting material demonstrating consensus should be communicated to Maya Ollek by email at mollek@jfklaw.ca as early as possible and by no later than 10:59pm PST/11:59pm MT on March 3, 2025.

Nominations

JFK will receive nominations for the position of Caucus member for your region up to 10:59 pm PST/11:59 pm MST on March 3, 2025. Nominations must be sent by email to Maya Ollek by email at mollek@jfklaw.ca. Nominations must include the candidate’s name, First Nation, and a brief statement of interest. Candidates may nominate themselves.

Next steps

If more than one nomination is received by March 3, 2025, or if no consensus is reached for a regional representative before that date, JFK Law will reach out to each region regarding next steps to evaluate what other selection processes may be followed, up to and including an election. If a further selection process is required, each community will be entitled to one regional representative selection vote

If you have any questions, please contact JFK Law (Maya Ollek) by email at mollek@jfklaw.ca or by phone at 778-819-3853.

  1. More information about the Committee is available on its website (Home – IAMC-TMX) and the Terms of Reference (IAMC-TMX TERMS OF REFERENCE, AMENDED SEPTEMBER 2021 – IAMC-TMX). ↩︎
  2. Natural Resources Canada; Canada Energy Regulator; Transport Canada; Fisheries and Ocean Canada; the Canadian Coast Guard; and Environment and Climate Change Canada ↩︎
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Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committee - TMX

Community of Practice, March 2025 Lahal & Dancing Thank you to Tommy Brown for teaching us to play Lahal! We had several fun and exciting rounds of this traditional game. Cree Elder Ken White told us of variations on the rules which was a good reminder of the richness that occurs when we share culture embodying both commonality and uniqueness. Next was a cultural dance, which everyone enjoyed, accompanied by Tommy’s beautiful singing and drumming. It was great to wrap up our day of learning together in a good way.

Community of Practice, March 2025 Lahal & Dancing Thank you to Tommy Brown for teaching us to play Lahal! We had several fun and exciting rounds of this traditional game. Cree Elder Ken White told us of variations on the rules which was a good reminder of the richness that occurs when we share culture embodying both commonality and uniqueness. Next was a cultural dance, which everyone enjoyed, accompanied by Tommy’s beautiful singing and drumming. It was great to wrap up our day of learning together in a good way.
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Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committee - TMX

Wise Practices Gathering On March 13 & 14, 2025, the IAMC-TMX Socioeconomic Subcommittee (SESC) and Marine Shipping Subcommittee (MSSC) hosted a Wise Practices gathering in lək̓ʷəŋən territory (Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations). Wise Practices is an approach to change that understands the need to look back in order to move forward in a good way, recognizing the wisdom of Indigenous Nations and communities and their own stories of achieving success. The recent Wise Practices gathering was an opportunity to focus much-needed attention on the perspective of marine communities regarding the safety and security of Indigenous Women, Girls and Gender Diverse and Two-Spirit people in the context of TMX and other marine traffic. The event, attended by First Nation leaders, Elders and advocates, provided opportunities to learn about the work of the Circle on MMIWG2S+ and Resource Development, and to hear directly from communities regarding their concerns in the marine space. The event included a sharing circle and various cultural ceremonies, including to honour those who remain missing but are not forgotten. The SESC and MSSC understand that more needs to be done to identify and address systemic race- and gender-based violence linked to resource development. At the forefront of the Wise Practices gathering in lək̓ʷəŋən territory is the development and implementation of a plan related to Canada’s commitment to the five Calls for Justice focused on the resource sector (13.1-13.5), as identified in the United Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Action Plan (2023). This work will involve deepening an understanding of issues associated with human and sex trafficking in the marine space and strengthening collaboration with NRCan and relevant regulators. We sincerely thank all participants who joined us earlier this month and look forward to continuing to advance this work together moving forward.

Wise Practices Gathering On March 13 & 14, 2025, the IAMC-TMX Socioeconomic Subcommittee (SESC) and Marine Shipping Subcommittee (MSSC) hosted a Wise Practices gathering in lək̓ʷəŋən territory (Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations). Wise Practices is an approach to change that understands the need to look back in order to move forward in a good way, recognizing the wisdom of Indigenous Nations and communities and their own stories of achieving success. The recent Wise Practices gathering was an opportunity to focus much-needed attention on the perspective of marine communities regarding the safety and security of Indigenous Women, Girls and Gender Diverse and Two-Spirit people in the context of TMX and other marine traffic. The event, attended by First Nation leaders, Elders and advocates, provided opportunities to learn about the work of the Circle on MMIWG2S+ and Resource Development, and to hear directly from communities regarding their concerns in the marine space. The event included a sharing circle and various cultural ceremonies, including to honour those who remain missing but are not forgotten. The SESC and MSSC understand that more needs to be done to identify and address systemic race- and gender-based violence linked to resource development. At the forefront of the Wise Practices gathering in lək̓ʷəŋən territory is the development and implementation of a plan related to Canada’s commitment to the five Calls for Justice focused on the resource sector (13.1-13.5), as identified in the United Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Action Plan (2023). This work will involve deepening an understanding of issues associated with human and sex trafficking in the marine space and strengthening collaboration with NRCan and relevant regulators. We sincerely thank all participants who joined us earlier this month and look forward to continuing to advance this work together moving forward.
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Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committee - TMX

Community of Practice, March 2025 Decolonizing Master Guardian Designation Charlene Everson, Cultural Capacity Coordinator for Na̱nwaḵolas Council, shared with us her work developing a new and unique stewardship designation. Working with community knowledge keepers, Charlene studies and applies traditional laws and values as a lens to craft the technical, regulatory, and environmental frameworks of Na̲nwak̲olas’ guardianship efforts. Their precise focus on Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw culture yields specific and distinct guardianship approaches, tailored to meet the needs of Na̱nwaḵolas’ member nations. “We’re building beautiful relationships with the federal government. It’s not easy. Sometimes it’s very hard. But we’re doing it. Nobody is going to come up with an Indigenous research framework but us. Our ways. Our laws. ” -Charlene Everson

Community of Practice, March 2025 Decolonizing Master Guardian Designation Charlene Everson, Cultural Capacity Coordinator for Na̱nwaḵolas Council, shared with us her work developing a new and unique stewardship designation. Working with community knowledge keepers, Charlene studies and applies traditional laws and values as a lens to craft the technical, regulatory, and environmental frameworks of Na̲nwak̲olas’ guardianship efforts. Their precise focus on Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw culture yields specific and distinct guardianship approaches, tailored to meet the needs of Na̱nwaḵolas’ member nations. “We’re building beautiful relationships with the federal government. It’s not easy. Sometimes it’s very hard. But we’re doing it. Nobody is going to come up with an Indigenous research framework but us. Our ways. Our laws. ” -Charlene Everson
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Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committee - TMX

IAMC is sponsoring Spill Response Due Diligence Training this Friday, March 28th, in Hope, BC. Eligible participants: ✔Communities along the TMX Date: Fri, March 28th Time: 9am – 5:30pm PDT Location: Hope, BC Contact: info@iamc.ca Course Description: Spill Response – Due Diligence is an applied, field-based course focusing on coastal, inland and freshwater applications and conditions and provides course participants with the skills, knowledge and abilities to confidently and effectively prevent and, if needed, respond to and manage a potential spill on a job site.

IAMC is sponsoring Spill Response Due Diligence Training this Friday, March 28th, in Hope, BC. Eligible participants: ✔Communities along the TMX Date: Fri, March 28th Time: 9am – 5:30pm PDT Location: Hope, BC Contact: info@iamc.ca Course Description: Spill Response – Due Diligence is an applied, field-based course focusing on coastal, inland and freshwater applications and conditions and provides course participants with the skills, knowledge and abilities to confidently and effectively prevent and, if needed, respond to and manage a potential spill on a job site.
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Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committee - TMX

Swiftwater Safety Awareness Online Training This self-paced online course is the first step in safety and rescue training for Indigenous Monitors near Swiftwater environments. It covers river dynamics, basic equipment needs, safety protocols, rescue applications, and more. Completion of this course is required before taking the Swiftwater Safety Rescue Courses. Eligible participants: ✔Indigenous Monitors Register by March 31, 2025, for this self-paced online course. Contact info@iamc.ca.

Swiftwater Safety Awareness Online Training This self-paced online course is the first step in safety and rescue training for Indigenous Monitors near Swiftwater environments. It covers river dynamics, basic equipment needs, safety protocols, rescue applications, and more. Completion of this course is required before taking the Swiftwater Safety Rescue Courses. Eligible participants: ✔Indigenous Monitors Register by March 31, 2025, for this self-paced online course. Contact info@iamc.ca.
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Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committee - TMX

Community of Practice Gathering Elders Lorraine White, Ken White, and Dolly Thomas shared their wisdom and experiences to help guide and inform the work of Indigenous Monitors and the IMSC. “You wonder why I’m talking about this. Like our experiences in Indian Residential Schools, the beating of the land does harm and makes it difficult to heal. We need to care about the land more than we care about the money... Being a Bear Watcher was both a gift and a responsibility. The animals, water, land, and plants feed, clothe, and shelter us and provide us with vital medicines. As monitors, this is now your opportunity to protect and care for our lands and waters.” Elder Dolly Thomas “That’s the way I lived. With ceremony and our language. It was a beautiful life... We were taught out there to honour the land. Ceremony cannot happen without the land. Aski. Land.” Elder Lorraine White “I worked on the pipeline for many years. We had to record all the plants and medicines that would be destroyed in a 50-meter span. Do we have enough in the rest of the country? At home we have medicines in abundance. We go out and pick as much as we need. Never pick too much.” Elder Ken White

Community of Practice Gathering Elders Lorraine White, Ken White, and Dolly Thomas shared their wisdom and experiences to help guide and inform the work of Indigenous Monitors and the IMSC. “You wonder why I’m talking about this. Like our experiences in Indian Residential Schools, the beating of the land does harm and makes it difficult to heal. We need to care about the land more than we care about the money... Being a Bear Watcher was both a gift and a responsibility. The animals, water, land, and plants feed, clothe, and shelter us and provide us with vital medicines. As monitors, this is now your opportunity to protect and care for our lands and waters.” Elder Dolly Thomas “That’s the way I lived. With ceremony and our language. It was a beautiful life... We were taught out there to honour the land. Ceremony cannot happen without the land. Aski. Land.” Elder Lorraine White “I worked on the pipeline for many years. We had to record all the plants and medicines that would be destroyed in a 50-meter span. Do we have enough in the rest of the country? At home we have medicines in abundance. We go out and pick as much as we need. Never pick too much.” Elder Ken White
Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committee - TMX

March 10, 2025 We gathered on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) to discuss and celebrate the work of the IAMC Indigenous Monitoring Subcommittee and Indigenous Monitors. Activities included making connections, cultural teachings and experiences, and more! We shared knowledge, received updates on the IMSC's work, and networked. Special thanks go to our many cherished elders who participated for their thoughtful teachings and to IMSC co-chair Marin Whitney, Marcia Turner of Daxgedim Haanak’ Consulting, and Cando for planning and facilitating this wonderful event. “The M in IAMC was a big deal to the government. They had never done it before and realized they needed to figure out how and that they needed our help and participation.” -Raymond Cardinal Learn more about IAMC's Indigenous Monitoring program: https://www.iamc.ca/im-program/

March 10, 2025 We gathered on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) to discuss and celebrate the work of the IAMC Indigenous Monitoring Subcommittee and Indigenous Monitors. Activities included making connections, cultural teachings and experiences, and more! We shared knowledge, received updates on the IMSC's work, and networked. Special thanks go to our many cherished elders who participated for their thoughtful teachings and to IMSC co-chair Marin Whitney, Marcia Turner of Daxgedim Haanak’ Consulting, and Cando for planning and facilitating this wonderful event. “The M in IAMC was a big deal to the government. They had never done it before and realized they needed to figure out how and that they needed our help and participation.” -Raymond Cardinal Learn more about IAMC's Indigenous Monitoring program: https://www.iamc.ca/im-program/
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Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committee - TMX

Blanketing Ceremony Our second day of the March 2025 committee meeting included a blanketing ceremony to honour Alice Cheung. Alice has served the IAMC-TMX as our federal Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) representative for many years, supporting the 129 communities along the TMX route. As she moves into another role, we wish her the very best and thank her for her time with us. Elder Ken White led the ceremony, which was witnessed by Elder Lorraine White, Ray Cardinal, and Chief Councillor Judi Thomas.

Blanketing Ceremony Our second day of the March 2025 committee meeting included a blanketing ceremony to honour Alice Cheung. Alice has served the IAMC-TMX as our federal Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) representative for many years, supporting the 129 communities along the TMX route. As she moves into another role, we wish her the very best and thank her for her time with us. Elder Ken White led the ceremony, which was witnessed by Elder Lorraine White, Ray Cardinal, and Chief Councillor Judi Thomas.
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Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committee - TMX

The IAMC-TMX full committee met March 4-6, 2025, in Vancouver - territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. Governance and building a governance framework for the committee and its ongoing success were important discussion topics. Policies, procedures, controls, roles, and responsibilities are all essential aspects of our work to strengthen the IAMC-TMX and support continued improvement and transformation. Chief Councillor Judi Thomas and Mieke Vander Valk from the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) are heading up the governance work. We are so grateful to everyone who took the time to attend and work together. Learn more: www.iamc-tmx.com

The IAMC-TMX full committee met March 4-6, 2025, in Vancouver - territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. Governance and building a governance framework for the committee and its ongoing success were important discussion topics. Policies, procedures, controls, roles, and responsibilities are all essential aspects of our work to strengthen the IAMC-TMX and support continued improvement and transformation. Chief Councillor Judi Thomas and Mieke Vander Valk from the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) are heading up the governance work. We are so grateful to everyone who took the time to attend and work together. Learn more: www.iamc-tmx.com
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