Dene Lands & Resource Management
The ACFN's Dene Lands & Resource Management ("DLRM") was established to create capacity for the community in order to work with Industry and government to assess the environmental impacts of industrial development on the ACFN territory.
DLRM (formerly Industry Relations Corporation) is currently directed by the ACFN Board of Directors, comprised of Chief and Council, and acts as a liaison between resource developers, government agencies and the community, while upholding their mandate. DLRM works with the Elders, Chief and Council and Membership to understand the Key Concerns and determine the process for consultation with the ACFN. DLRM represents the ACFN (where applicable) on regional committees, forums, conferences, regulatory hearings, task forces and working groups.
DLRM also facilitates the collection of Indigenous Knowledge and conducts studies on impacts to the territory. The purpose of DLRM is to work with Industry and Government to determine consultation requirements, including assessment of the impacts of development on ACFN’s territory, uses, rights and well-being.
DLRM encompasses three branches: Lands and Rights, Regulatory and Industry Relations, and Government Relations.
DLRM Administrative Team
LISA TSSESSAZE - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
KRISTINA DERANGER - EMPLOYMENT LIAISON COORDINATOR
REBECCA SINCLAIR - SENIOR COORDINATOR - FINANCE AND PAYROLL
ROSE ROSS - MANAGER, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
THERESIA VUGHOSU - NEGOTIATIONS AND IBA/GRANT COORDINATOR
SALLY WARFORD - OPERATIONS AND EXECUTIVE GROUP SERVICES MANAGER
DLRM Vision Statement
We the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation Dene Lands & Resource Management are united. We adapt to constant change, honour the past, and are obligated to our future generations. We lead and prosper to maintain the integrity of our Nation, our Land Rights, our People, and our Treaty Rights.
DLRM Mission Statement
We protect our Treaty and Aboriginal rights to Land, Water, Air, and Livelihood. We support the infrastructure that preserves our culture, language, and knowledge. Through innovation, we foster growth and progress through collaboration, economic development, and building relationships. We support the future of a self‐sustaining Nation.
Frequently Asked Questions about DLRM
Q. What does the DLRM department do?
The Dene Lands and Resource Management office oversees and manages activities on our Traditional and Reserve lands. We contribute to how applications are reviewed, advise on how government policies impact us and determine how our communities downstream from industry are affected.
Q. What do we stand for?
DLRM stands for the sustainability of its Members and our Nation. We uphold ACFN Treaty and Aboriginal Rights. We hold industry and governments accountable to those rights and if necessary we educate them on our rights. We have been here for thousands and thousands of years – industry and government have only been here for less than one hundred.
Q. What is the DLRM Story?
DLRM was initiated and formed with the support of industry and government. Both noticed that First Nations did not have the capacity to review industry applications or understand government policies and frameworks.
First Nations rights have become known and the courts have stated that consultation is a must. The Government of Canada has adopted UNDRIP, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, which includes that First Nations needed to be consulted on how any and all projects could impact them. We needed the capacity to do just that which led to the formation of DLRM. We needed to interview our members, learn about how we are using the lands and identify the potential impacts from projects, and DLRM continues to do that today.
ACFN now contributes to how industry applications are processed, and we are vocal on how ACFN is impacted by both major and minor projects. If we do enter into Impact Benefit Agreements with industry, we go into detail in regard to how we want the project to operate and how they manage and monitor our Traditional Lands. We set up numerous committees to review and monitor all of industries operations.
DLRM continues to represent the best interests of our Members and Nation when it comes to our rights and lands.