HUDSON BAY CONSORTIUM Creating the Consortium
Collaboratively Developing a Terms of Reference A Terms of Reference is a living document that clarifies the roles and responsibilities of an organization, its members and committees. Both the Arctic Council and now defunct Oceans Working Group and have very simple (and relevant) Terms of Reference documents that we can draw upon while we draft out own. To fit with Consortium vision, development of the TOR should be an open, inclusive and collaborative process
Collaboratively Developing a Terms of Reference A Hudson Bay Agreement would not usurp any government s jurisdictional authority but would run parallel to government by developing strategies and practices that voluntarily support the responsible stewardship of the bay.
Collaboratively Developing a Terms of Reference Guiding Principals Goals Activities Scope Structure Sustainability
Proposed Guiding Principals 1. Mutual respect and tolerance for different cultures and values, as well as respect for the environment 2. A holistic perspective which recognizes that Hudson Bay and James Bay must be managed as an entity from both a physical and human perspective 3. Long term commitment of all parties 4. Recognition of Inuit and Cree rights under landclaim agreements 5. Preference for consensus based decision making 6. Integration of local and traditional knowledge and scientific knowledge
Proposed Goals 1. Increase capacity for sharing information, results, knowledge across the diverse groups of stakeholders and communities 2. Provide a forum for joint planning and coordination of environmental stewardship activities across jurisdictions including research, monitoring, conservation (including protected areas, integrated co-management), and advocacy 3. Work together to leverage funding and awareness for shared Hudson Bay/James Bay issues and stewardship
Proposed Goals 4. Establish objectives and guidelines which will protect, maintain or enhance the health of the James Bay/Hudson Bay ecosystem 5. Provide capacity for training, education and outreach to raise awareness about Hudson Bay among the Canadian public and internationally. Within Hudson Bay, to focus on engaging youth as the next generation of environmental stewards for the region
Proposed Activities 1. Develop networking and coordination among stakeholders - establishing a directory/contact list of key stakeholders - planning meetings, reports - development of unique communications infrastructure - planning for sharing information, knowledge, access to results of research, archiving (documents, knowledge, data), data management, and other online tools 2. Develop capacity for networked community-driven research / assessing cumulative impacts of environmental changes towards sustainable development and environmental stewardship
Proposed Activities 3. Document, compile and identify on an ongoing basis, issues and priorities of stakeholders and communities. Set goals and objectives based on these issues and priorities 4. Develop and open, transparent and inclusive planning approach across jurisdictions 5. Develop and implement communications plan 6. Develop youth and community engagement programs
Proposed Scope James Bay and Hudson Bay Marine Ecosystem Initial focus on two regions: 1. East Hudson Bay/James Bay 2. West Hudson Bay Potential to include Hudson Straight/Ungava and Foxe Basin in the future Potential to consider more terrestrial issues in the future?
Proposed Structure Membership Steering Committee Working Groups Secretariat
Proposed Structure Membership - Open to any stakeholders to join (sign on to Terms of Reference) - Representatives report to their respective organizations and bring information from their organizations to the Consortium
Proposed Structure Steering Committee - Open to any members - Minimum two meetings/year - Minutes open to members/public - Coordinated by (non-voting) Chair - Direct activities of Secretariat
Proposed Structure Secretariat - Daily operation of Consortium / Carrying out activities of Steering Committee - Managed by Chair based on direction of the Steering Committee - Initially include positions for 1. Logistics and administrative coordinator 2. Communications Specialist
Proposed Structure Working Groups - Working groups determined by Steering Committee - E.g. Cumulative Impacts Working Group Communications/Outreach Education/Training/Youth - Co-chaired by 2 members - Local and other experts invited to participate in meetings as appropriate
Long Term Sustainability Proposed Ideas - Operational Funding for Secretariat - Member voluntary contributions, not a fee, contribute if/what you can - Grant writing/fundraising by secretariat - Funding for Research and other Activities - - Collaborative Grant writing by members, working groups and secretariat
Collaboratively Developing a Terms of Reference Guiding Principals Goals Activities Scope Structure Sustainability
Meetings & Organization - Hudson Bay Summit Fall 2017 - East and Western Regional Meetings (Annual?) - Periodic Hudson Bay/James Bay Wide Meetings (3 years?) - Smaller meetings on an opportunistic basis as needed
NEXT STEPS - Deliver comprehensive meeting report - Continue consultation with Planning Steering Committee on Terms of Reference/Structure - Conduct similar consultation with West HB - Leverage Fundraising and Stakeholder Involvement - Plan for Fall 2017 Hudson Bay Summit - Complete Terms of Reference so members are ready to sign and formally create Consortium at Hudson Bay Summit
MEGWETCH / NAKURMIK / THANK YOU THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND PARTICIPATION