Strategic Relations with First Nations
A structured approach for forestry, mining, energy, and other organizations whose projects require strong relationships with First Nations.
Relationships that support success
Projects involving First Nations require an approach that considers business objectives, community realities, and the various legal, political, and territorial issues. Beyond compliance with legal obligations, these projects provide an opportunity to build lasting partnerships based on trust, transparency, and the creation of mutual value.
To succeed, organizations need support that goes beyond traditional legal advice. This requires an integrated understanding of business imperatives, community expectations, government realities, legal risks, and territorial dynamics which foster constructive relationships and advance projects.
Our approach is grounded in the belief that strong, respectful relationships are not only essential to managing risk, but also to creating durable partnerships that contribute to project success and shared prosperity.
Strategic advice grounded in experience
The engagement is led by Maryse Picard. Her experience as Director General of the Huron-Wendat Nation Council, Chief of Staff to the minister responsible for Indigenous Affairs, and an executive within the federal and Quebec public administrations provides her with a unique perspective grounded in Indigenous, political, governmental and organizational realities.
This background enables her to anticipate risks, understand stakeholder priorities, navigate complex environments and develop practical strategies that support successful outcomes.
Her practice focuses on Indigenous law, governance and ethics, the drafting of agreements and legal documents, and government relations.
Various Support Options
Focused engagement
A limited engagement addressing a specific need, such as an assessment, an outreach or relationship-development strategy, awareness training on relevant realities and issues, crisis intervention, preparation for a meeting, or review of an agreement.
Phased support
Progressive completion of the relevant phases based on the client’s priorities, schedule, and budget.
Block of hours
Flexible access to a senior advisor for recurring matters, strategic advice, and ad hoc interventions.
Integrated support
Participation on internal committees and ongoing support for legal, environmental, public affairs or operations teams throughout a project or the development of a relationship.
A plan tailored to your needs
- Train management and project teams on governance structures, institutional realities and the key issues involving First Nations.
- Conduct stakeholder mapping and document roles, interests, concerns, and communication channels.
- Conduct a preliminary assessment of legal, political, operational, and relationship-related issues.
- Clarify business objectives, available flexibility, key messages, and conditions for success.
- Define roles, responsibilities, decision-making authority, and escalation mechanisms within the organization.
- Develop or revise a corporate policy on relations with First Nations.
- Develop protocols for communications, meetings, documentation, and follow-up.
- Implement a centralized register of interactions and commitments.
- Develop an engagement strategy and meeting schedule.
- Prepare meetings, simulations, presentations, and responses to anticipated questions.
- Participate in meetings as legal and strategic counsel.
- Analyze expressed concerns and recommend appropriate responses or measures.
- Define the mandate, parameters, scenarios, and negotiation strategy.
- Draft or review a confidentiality agreement, negotiation protocol, or letter of intent.
- Draft, review, or negotiate a collaboration, partnership, or benefits agreement.
- Structure joint committees, reporting obligations, review processes, and resolution mechanisms.
- Develop a detailed implementation plan and assign responsibilities.
- Define indicators and a relationship-governance dashboard.
- Train managers and field, procurement, and communications teams.
- Conduct periodic reviews of the relationship, commitments, and governance mechanisms.