The purpose of the Indigenous-led Health Impact Assessment Project was to support Indigenous communities in the federal impact assessment process from a health and social determinants of health perspective by providing knowledge, tools, and resources.
In recent years, there has been an increase in proposed industrial and resource extraction projects on or near Indigenous lands. In response to identified information gaps related to environmental, health, social, and economic conditions, resources were developed to support communities engaging with the federal impact assessment process and discussions with project proponents.
Indigenous-led Health Impact Assessment Quick Guide
The Indigenous-led Health Impact Assessment (IHIA) Quick Guide was designed to make information about HIA more accessible to Indigenous health practitioners and community leaders. The IHIA Quick Guide offers clear explanations of key concepts, a glossary of commonly used terms, and examples that may assist communities in identifying and exploring potential health impacts in ways that reflect their own knowledge and priorities.
In addition to the Quick Guide, there are three accompanying infographics which provide additional practical tools:
- Health Impact Assessments: Checklist for Practitioners presents a step-by-step overview of the HIA process.
- Local Changes, Local Impacts: Understanding Health Pathways illustrates how project activities may lead to different health outcomes within a community.
- Health Impact Assessment: Getting Started offers an overview of initial steps and federal departments that communities may encounter during impact assessment processes.
First Nations Health Impact Assessment Workshop Series
Summary Report: First Nations Health Impact Assessment Workshop Series
A summary of key presentations, participant feedback, and survey findings from both workshops, highlighting reflections and recommendations related to federal impact assessments, health impact assessment, and First Nations governance, capacity, and the protection of health, culture, land, and rights. Read the full report here.
WORKSHOP 2: Indigenous Expertise in Health Impact Assessment – April 10, 2025
Agenda (English and French) / Presentation (English and French) / Recording (English and French)
This workshop focused on First Nations’ past and present experiences with the federal impact assessment process and showcased First Nations’ expertise in health impact assessment. The following First Nation and organization presented:
- Fox Lake Cree Nation, located in northern Manitoba, presented on the Keeyask Generation Project. This hydroelectric project was approved in 2011 and assessed under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 1992.
- First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), located in British Columbia, presented on their organization’s mandate and explain the complex landscape of impact assessment from a First Nations perspective within the British Columbia context. They discussed their work in clarifying their role, scope, and function in impact assessment, as well as their efforts in developing resources and tools.
First Nation participants were invited to discuss their experiences and perspectives regarding the federal impact assessment process and support required to meaningfully participate in the process.
Graphic Recording: Graphic Recording by Aaron Russell (Conference Doodles) to highlight key themes raised by presenters and workshop participants at the workshop.
WORKSHOP 1: Navigating Federal Impact Assessments – November 21, 2024
The Navigating Federal Impact Assessments workshop aimed to increase awareness of the federal impact assessment process and provided an overview of how First Nations can participate in the process. The following federal departments and agencies presented at the workshop. Their presentations are available below:
- Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, Overview of the Impact Assessment Act (English • French)
- Public Health Agency of Canada, The Public Health Agency of Canada’s Role in Federal Impact Assessment (English • French)
- Health Canada, Overview of Health Canada’s Environmental/Impact Assessment Program (English • French)
- Indigenous Services Canada, Impact Assessment and Health Service for First Nations (English • French)
Graphic Recording: Graphic Recording by Aaron Russell (Conference Doodles) to highlight key themes raised by presenters and workshop participants at the workshop.
Please contact Cassandra Hill, Assistant Project Manager ([email protected]) at CIER with any questions or feedback.
