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Our communication strategies create consistent dialogue between all stakeholders to facilitate constructive discussions and develop working relationships.

TURNING A CRISIS INTO A MAJOR SUCCESS – THE ONWA GOVERNMENT RELATION STORY

For many First Nation communities, organizations, and those in indigenous leadership positions, the results were deflating. Conservatives had a reputation, according to the media, as being unfriendly to First Nations, particularly to organizations like Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA). ONWA was worried as they rely heavily on funding from Ministries such as Indigenous Affairs Ontario and the Attorney General to deliver programs and services to Indigenous women in crisis.

What made things worse for ONWA decision-makers was that the Conservatives got elected on the platform of managing costs through finding efficiencies. Every organization that receives funding from the government was worried that ‘finding efficiencies’ really meant that programs and services would see cuts. 

The question remained for ONWA, how deep would those cuts be? ONWA decision-makers were justifiably worried.

Government Relations Unicorn: The Curious Case of Batchewana First Nation’s Needed Arena Upgrades

To secure arena and recreational money when the opportunity presents itself is a highly competitive process and only a few get chosen and supported. Throughout the years, infrastructure programs through Indigenous Services Canada, Infrastructure Canada and other funding departments have had short-windows of opportunities for First Nations to submit their recreational funding requests.

It was sort of winning the lottery if you got through and had your project supported.  With my oldest client, Batchawana First Nation (since 2006), my file regarding their Community Arena renovation request goes back to 2011 -13 years ago.

Northland Power

The Issue:

TheCCSGroup created a First Nation and Provincial government engagement strategy to expedite the permitting process and acquire First Nation buy-in.

The Result:

The Manitoulin Island Chiefs secured $250 million from the Ontario Finance Authority and negotiated an exemption enabling an expedited permitting process.

Domtar

The Issue:

TheCCSGroup was commissioned by Domtar to negotiate a sustainable Forestry License with three First Nations.

The Result:

TheCCSGroup successfully negotiated the first Sustainable Forestry License between the client, the local First Nation, and the Provincial government.

Nelson Aggregates

The Issue:

A burial site was discovered on a proposed quarry site. The client required a preemptive community engagement strategy.

The Result:

The client was able to forge a partnership with local First Nation communities and achieve the highest level of consultation and accommodation.

Lystek

The Issue:

TheCCSGroup created a Municipal engagement strategy to raise the profile of beneficial use RFP.

The Result:

The strategy led the client to successfully procure a contract from the City of Toronto.

Fort William First Nation

The Issue:

From the Fort Williams First Nations perspective, senior land claim negotiators were slowing down the process and negotiating in bad faith surrounding the largest land claim in Canada's history.

The Result:

The land claim settled for $170 Million (the largest claim in Canadian history) within six month's of the Minister's Office getting briefed and engaged on the file.