RLEMP provides financial support to first nations communities, institutions and professional development organizations for services associated with Indian Act and environmental management services.

1. Modernization of Land and Environmental Management on
Reserve through (RLEMP)
Presented by
Economic Development Unit, Lands and Economic
Development, BC Region
Julia Kristjanson
December 17, 2013

2. Overview
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Objectives
RLEMP Activities
3 Levels of Responsibility
RLEMP Funding
Entry to RLEMP

3. What is the Reserve Land and
Environment Management Program?
• RLEMP provides financial support to First
Nations communities, institutions and
professional development organizations for
services associated with Indian Act land and
environmental management services
• Designed in partnership with First Nation land
managers, University of Saskatchewan and
National Aboriginal Land Managers Association

4. Objectives
 Support First Nations’ capacity to manage lands,
resources and environment
 Enhance decision-making at the community
level in regard to land use,
 Improve ability to take advantage of land-based
economic opportunities on reserve
 Facilitate transition beyond Indian Act into
modernized land management regimes such as
First Nations Land Management or
comprehensive self-government.

5. RLEMP Activities
RLEMP provides funding for:
• Development of the skills and knowledge of the
First Nation land manager (training and
professional development)
• Land and environmental management activities
under the Indian Act (e.g., leases, permits)
• Environmental management activities
associated with land interests
• Development and implementation of Community
Land Use Plan, Environmental Sustainability
Plan and/or Compliance Framework

6. 3 Levels of Responsibility
1. Training and Development
–
–
2-year Professional Land Management
Certification Program
Land management duties with support from
AANDC
1. Operational
–
Primary responsibility for reserve land
management
1. Delegated Authority
–
Land management authority (sections 53
and 60) delegated to First Nation.

7. RLEMP Funding
• Base funding formula
– Type, volume and complexity of land transactions (i.e,
leases, permits, etc)
– Population base
– Reserve land base
– Environmental activities
– Compliance activities
– Level of responsibility
• Additional funding when one or more of:
– Community Land Use Plan
– Environmental Management System
– Compliance Framework
• Training level: training/tuition costs
– one-time occurrence per First Nation

8. Is RLEMP right for you?
Considerations:
• Increased involvement in full scope of land and
environmental management activities
• Will need to be accountable for the results achieved
through land and environmental management activities
• Will receive training and support to acquire skills and
knowledge
• Will have increased control over compliance activities and
processes, and will assume accountability for reporting on
these; and
• Must continue to fulfill responsibilities under RLEMP if the
First Nation Land Manager departs and/or while a new
one is being trained

9. Entry to RLEMP
1. First Nations capacity self-assessment to
determine readiness
2. AANDC capacity assessment to confirm
readiness
3. BCR submitted to AANDC, accepting RLEMP
terms and conditions
4. Apply to and attend Professional Land
Management Certification Program
5. Maintain lands office: roles & responsibilities;
milestones; reporting

10. Conclusion
• RLEMP supports First Nations in developing
capacity to undertake increased responsibility
over their reserve land, resources and
environment.
• Helps in the transition to First Nations Land
Management (FNLM) Regime to allow First
Nations to opt out of the land-related sections of
the Indian Act, and enact their own laws.
• Increased control over lands and resources
leads to greater economic development
opportunities.

11. Questions?
Julia Kristjanson, Officer
604-666-5080, julia.kristjanson@aandc.gc.ca