Upholding Indigenous rights and interests

All of ACET’s work takes place on Indigenous lands and waters, including unceded and treaty territories that are connected to First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples. We recognize Indigenous Peoples as distinct rights-holders with inherent and legally protected rights to self-determination and with their own distinct histories, identities, laws and governance systems. 

Across our work, both nationally and internationally, we strive to uphold Indigenous rights, honour local protocols and understand our responsibilities within the places and communities where we work. This includes aligning our approach with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). 

As a University of Victoria-led initiative, our work is informed by and conducted in line with  Xʷkʷənəŋistəl | W̱ȻENEṈISTEL | Helping to move each other forward, UVic’s renewed Indigenous Plan. We are committed to building relationships grounded in accountability, reciprocity and honest self-reflection. 

Indigenous Peoples have led community-based governance, land stewardship and decision-making systems since time immemorial. We recognize these approaches as important foundations for community-led energy transformation. 

Our role is to support Indigenous Peoples in advancing their own energy priorities and sovereignty through respectful and reciprocal partnerships. We recognize First Nations and Indigenous Peoples as distinct legal rights-holders, and it is our responsibility to ensure our work honours their sovereignty while supporting community energy goals. 

Our approach

ACET is committed to advancing reconciliation through the way we design, conduct and share research. 

Before any project begins, ACET works with local First Nations and Indigenous communities to understand their governance systems, protocols and priorities.  

Because we recognize First Nations as sovereign rights-holders and decision-makers, our co-created research moves at the speed of each partnering community’s readiness and consent.  

ACET’s approach is guided by four principles: 

Territorial responsibility 

ACET teams identify the First Nations connected to the territories where projects take place and learn about local histories, protocols and responsibilities. 

Nation-led priorities 

Projects involving First Nations are guided by each Nation’s governance systems, priorities and knowledge, ensuring research honours each Nation’s sovereignty and reflects their goals and aspirations. 

Knowledge responsibility 

Indigenous knowledges are carried across generations through relationships, lands and waters, languages, stories, teachings and lived experience. They are more than information or data, they are connected to ways of knowing, being and living. 

ACET respects the authority of Indigenous knowledge holders to determine how their knowledges are shared, protected and used. We follow Nation and community-specific protocols and uphold Indigenous intellectual property and data sovereignty, including OCAP® and CARE principles where appropriate. 

Co-created research 

ACET works with partners to shape research questions, approaches, decisions and outcomes. We aim to create research that reflects shared priorities and supports lasting benefits. 

Staying accountable

Advancing reconciliation requires ongoing learning, reflection and action. ACET is developing processes, training and tools to support researchers and staff in applying these commitments throughout the life of each project. 

Our actions include: 

Building knowledge and skills 
ACET supports ongoing learning about Indigenous histories, rights, governance systems, protocols and Indigenous-informed approaches to research. 

Strengthening project practices 
ACET is incorporating territorial responsibility, relationship-building and co-creation into project planning and implementation. 

Supporting meaningful partnerships 
ACET is developing tools and guidance to help teams build strong, reciprocal relationships with Indigenous Nations and partners. 

Tracking progress 
ACET will share updates on our progress, including areas of growth and opportunities for improvement, to remain accountable to our partners and communities. 

Providing Indigenous advisory support 
Indigenous advisory support is one part of ACET's broader responsibility to strengthen its practices. The Indigenous Advisor supports learning, relationship-building and reflection within ACET while helping connect the initiative with Indigenous faculty, Knowledge Keepers, advisors and community partners. 

The Living Partnership Model

The Living Partnership Model guides how ACET builds relationships with First Nations, Indigenous communities and other partners.  

It recognizes that every ACET project carries responsibilities to Indigenous rights-holders, the territories where we work and future generations. 

Co-creation is central to this approach. ACET works with Indigenous partners to shape project directions, decisions and research processes together. 

This model is grounded in the Sk̓ʷes | TŦE SKÁLs I, TŦE Ś,X̱ENAṈs | The Laws and Philosophies of Xʷkʷənəŋistəl | W̱ȻENEṈISTEL: Helping to move each other forward, UVic’s Indigenous Plan 2023. 

Héʔəkʷ ʔə cə čəléŋən ɫtə | HÁEQ ȽTE OL TŦE ĆELÁṈEN ȽTE  
Remember our ancestors and birthright. We honour the histories of the lands where we work and the first caretakers of the lands and waters. 

Nəc̓əmaat kʷəns čeʔi | ĆȺNEUEL OL  
Work together. We move away from siloed or situational engagement toward true, ongoing collaboration. 

Nəw̓ es šxʷ cən ʔay̓ šqʷeləqʷən | ÁMEḴT TŦEN ÍY, ŚḰÁLEȻEN  
Bring in your good heart and mind. We approach challenges with positive intention and a focus on collective well‑being. 

Leʔt šxʷ helə ʔə cə mək̓ʷ sčeʔi səʔ | S,HOL EṮ MEQ EN ENÁ SE SĆȺ  
Be prepared for the work to come. We recognize that energy transition is long‑term work requiring readiness, resilience, and grounding. 

The Living Partnership Model is guided by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. Through this model, ACET commits to operationalizing Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), territorial protocols, and shared decision-making across all research projects. 

Applying the model in practice

ACET applies the Living Partnership Model to all research and projects through the Relational Project Framework. 

This framework supports ACET teams to: 

• build relationships early and understand local priorities and protocols;  
• co-create research goals, methods and outcomes with Indigenous partners;  
• recognize Indigenous Nations as leaders and decision-makers;  
• create timelines that respect community processes and responsibilities;  
• uphold Indigenous knowledge and data sovereignty;  
• reflect on partnerships and adapt approaches when needed.  

Through this framework, ACET aims to ensure that reconciliation is reflected not only in our commitments, but in how we work every day.