Responses to External Issues - Lessons Learned

An important lesson from the above group of initiatives is that, with sufficient will and resources, a First Nation can successfully challenge large private companies and governments when they are acting against the interests of the First Nation. However, such challenges involve substantial expenditures of time over an extended period, and funds to cover the costs of legal and consulting help.

WIFN is attempting to move from challenges to external threats to a continuing collaboration with the outside in order to plan for environmental protection and avoid unexpected incidents. The agreements reached with TCPL and the City of Windsor described above are good examples.

Participation in broader efforts at environmental management pay off in terms of visibility and credibility for the First Nation. WIFN is now recognized as a partner in many such efforts, and uses the opportunity to advance its land claims and self government agendas.

It is necessary, however, to know when to make tradeoffs. Challenges to outside parties and participation in conferences and seminars are expensive and time consuming. Further, in some cases the First Nation is offered an agreement where it would receive a significant sum of money to withdraw its objections to a project, and it must balance its environmental principles against cash with which it could possibly improve living conditions for the community. These are not easy decisions, but it is important that all costs and benefits be taken into account, not only environmental but also social and economic ones.