Resources in chapter Establish Relationships with Resource Agencies

Tipsheet

Tips for Building Relationships with Agencies

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  1. Build one-on-one working relationships with key contacts in government. Relationships at the local level can create new opportunities and open doors for higher-level negotiations and successes.
  2. The openness of resource agency staff to collaboration often depends on the personality and competence of the individual in the position. Keep in mind that because of this, staff turnover can work for or against you!  
  3. Learn about any constraints that resource agency staff may be under, hampering their ability to do their job as effectively as you’d like. While these constraints are sometimes a hindrance, they can also open up opportunities for collaboration.
  4. Educate and regularly update agency staff about your program or community’s priorities and activities.
  5. When possible, conduct joint patrols with resource agency compliance and enforcement staff to build relationships, share knowledge, coordinate efforts, and learn from each other.
  6. Develop protocols and procedures with agencies regarding how to report and follow up on compliance infractions.
  7. Where appropriate, participate in agency-led research and other resource management projects and invite resource agency staff to participate in your guardian and stewardship activities.
  8. Develop opportunities to participate in technical and professional training that is offered to agency staff.
  9. Host multi-agency meetings with on-the-ground staff at the beginning of each season. Find out what each other’s priorities are, where work plans overlap and how to communicate effectively throughout the season.
  10. Find ways to share data, observations, and other information both formally and informally.
Worksheet

Overview Worksheet - Building Relationships with Resource Agencies

This worksheet provides a series of questions to help think through existing and potential relationships you have with resource agencies and opportunities to work together to support guardian priorities and activities. Download it now

Section: How is the on-the-ground effort of resource agencies changing?

“Conservation Officers have told us that what we are doing to monitor and manage moose harvesting is precedent setting.”

Kevin Koch, Gitanyow Wildlife Monitor
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“Conservation Officers have told us that what we are doing to monitor and manage moose harvesting is..."

Section: What are some ways to engage with resource agencies?

Info sheet

Some Approaches to Building Relationships with Resource Agencies

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Some approaches that communities have used to build productive working relationships between Indigenous Guardian programs and resource agencies include:

  • Host a meeting at the beginning of each season with on-the-ground staff from all the resource agencies working in your territory. Find out what each other’s priorities are, where work activities overlap and how to communicate effectively throughout the season.
  • Organize regular meetings with specific resource agencies to exchange and share information about planned activities throughout the season.
  • Educate and regularly update resource agency staff about your Indigenous Guardian program and stewardship priorities and activities.
  • Plan with resource agency staff to get out in the field with your guardians to  create opportunities for shared learning, hands-on doing, and relationship building.
  • When possible, conduct joint patrols with resource agency compliance and enforcement staff to build relationships, share knowledge, coordinate efforts, and learn from each other.
  • Develop procedures with resource agency staff  about best ways to report and follow up on compliance infractions that are observed and reported by your guardians.
  • Where appropriate, have guardians participate in resource agency-led research and other resource management projects to build skills and experience.
  • Where appropriate, invite resource agency staff to participate in your guardian and stewardship activities to build their skills and experience.
  • Explore opportunities for guardians to participate in technical and professional training that is offered to resource agency staff.
  • Find ways to share data, observations, and other information both formally and informally.
Info sheet

Some Approaches to Building Relationships with Resource Agencies

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Uncovering Opportunities for Guardians to Work with the Province on Marine Use Plans
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Article on Compliance and Enforcement Strategy in Haida Gwaii - Haida Nation

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Kunst’aa Guu–Kunst’aayah: Moving to a Sustainable Future Together