Partners Accord

This document is a direct copy of the English version of the Partners' Accord signed by all partners.

WEST KITIKMEOT/SLAVE STUDY PARTNERS' ACCORD

The Vision of the Partners is to achieve sustainable development in the West Kitikmeot/Slave Study area which respects aboriginal cultural values, so that the land is protected, culture is preserved, and community self sufficiency / reliance is enhanced.

The Goal of the Study is to collect and provide information for the West Kitikmeot/Slave area to assist informed decision making by the partners and to facilitate sustainable development.

It is essential that the Partners translate the vision, goal and objectives of the West Kitikmeot/Slave Study into action, and that we develop and maintain a framework for an ongoing relationship.

Therefore we, the undersigned representatives of the Partners on the Management Board, undertake to pursue the following objectives, to:

• provide an information base necessary for Study partners to make sound resource management decisions

• provide a basis for the identification and assessment of cumulative effects for planning and development purposes

• provide a forum in which to share information on issues, while respecting the diversity of interests: aboriginal, industry, environmental organizations, governments and the public

• provide the information necessary to enhance the understanding of potential impacts of exploration and development on ecological processes and communities

• support a central role for both traditional knowledge and scientific knowledge, and facilitate the linkage of research carried out in these systems

• ensure the accessibility of Study research results and information to all Partners and the public, while respecting the confidentiality of certain information

• maximize community research training opportunities and the use of community resources in all Study research.

We, the representatives of the Partners on the Management Board, sign and endorse this Accord as a symbol of our commitment to the West Kitikmeot / Slave Study, its vision, its goal, and objectives.