Honouring the Truth Reconciling for the Future

360 • Truth & Reconciliation CommissionBuilding Relationships: Aboriginal Canadians and Energy Development” focused onAboriginal–Crown relations in the context of proposed energy infrastructure projectsin British Columbia. He noted that although there are many differences amongAboriginal representatives, there was general consensus that development projectsmust respect constitutionally protected Aboriginal rights, involve Aboriginal communitiesin decision making and project planning, and mitigate environmental risks. 277Eyford made recommendations for taking action in three key areas: building trust, fosteringinclusion, and advancing reconciliation. He noted in particular that “Aboriginalcommunities view natural resource development as linked to a broader reconciliationagenda.” 278 This is consistent with the Commission’s view that meaningful reconciliationcannot be limited to the residential school legacy, but must become the ongoingframework for resolving conflicts and building constructive partnerships withAboriginal peoples.In December 2013, a group of current and former high-profile leaders fromAboriginal communities, business, banking, environment organizations, and federaland provincial governments released a report, “Responsible Energy Developmentin Canada,” summarizing the results of a year-long dialogue. They concluded thatCanada is facing an “energy resource development gridlock.” In their view, the potentialeconomic and social benefits derived from the exploitation of Canada’s rich naturalresources must be weighed against the potential risks to Aboriginal communities andtheir traditional territories, and must also address broader environmental concernsassociated with global warming. 279 They emphasized that there are significant barriersto reconciliation, including conflicting values, lack of trust, and differing views on howthe benefits of resource development should be distributed and adverse effects bemitigated. 280 The report identified four principles for moving forward on responsibleenergy resource development: (1) forging and nurturing constructive relationships,(2) reducing cumulative social and environmental impacts, (3) ensuring the continuityof cultures and traditions, and (4) sharing the benefits fairly. 281Writing about the 2014 Supreme Court of Canada decision in Tsilhqot’in Nationv. British Columbia, Kenneth Coates, Canada Research Chair in Regional Innovationat the University of Saskatchewan, and Dwight Newman, law professor and CanadaResearch Chair in Indigenous Rights in Constitutional and International Law at theUniversity of Saskatchewan, concluded that although many challenges and barriersto reconciliation remain,[w]hat the Supreme Court of Canada has highlighted at a fundamental levelis that Aboriginal communities have a right to an equitable place at the tablein relation to natural resource development in Canada. Their empowermentthrough Tsilhqot’in and earlier decisions has the potential to be immenselyexciting as a means of further economic development in Aboriginalcommunities and prosperity for all.... [T]he time is now for governments,