Building strong partnerships with Indigenous and Native communities.
Montrose believes that knowledge systems of Indigenous peoples can shape project design to empower Indigenous and Native communities, while honoring their leadership role in building a sustainable future. Our teams work collaboratively with Indigenous Communities, Traditional Owners, Native American Tribes, and Native Hawaiian Organizations. We assist in all aspects of project engagement and collaborative planning, working responsively with a variety of communities to support project development, meaningful participation, and innovative ways to implement projects that highlight community values and preserve culture. We proactively identify opportunities for meaningful participation by Indigenous- and Native-owned organizations. Our expert teams also serve as liaisons for our clients in all aspects of engagement, community relations, and consultation.
Partnerships and Experience
Guided by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, we believe organizations like ours have an important role to play by forming meaningful partnerships with our Indigenous partners. Montrose has formed many strong relationships with Indigenous communities and businesses in the U.S., Canada, and Australia.
Montrose has over 25 years of experience working with Tribal governments and communities, focusing on cultural responsiveness, sensitivity, trust, and relationship building.
Montrose specializes in providing expert regulatory and environmental compliance for the National Environmental Policy Act, National Historic Preservation Act Section 106, Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, and fee-to-trust land acquisitions.
Montrose also assists federal, state, and local agencies, as well as private developers, in engaging Tribes as collaborators in their voluntary early engagement and required consultation with Tribal Nations.
Our relationships with Indigenous communities in Canada have led to teaming together on projects, facilitating community monitoring programs, involving Elders in project activities, and learning to incorporate Traditional Ecological Knowledge into environmental decision-making. Montrose has entered into formal partnerships with several groups, including:
- Montrose Infinity – A joint venture with Infinity Metis Corp. in the McMurray Métis community in the oil sands region near Fort McMurray, Alberta, for environmental services.
- Aseniwuche Winewak Nation – A relationship agreement to provide environmental services within the Traditional Land Use Area of the Aseniwuche Winewak Nation near Grande Cache, Alberta.
In Australia, we work closely with Traditional Owners and their respective Prescribed Bodies Corporate to negotiate Cultural Heritage Management Plans, enable on-country cultural clearances prior to and during development, and facilitate stronger linkages between industry and representative groups.
Case Studies
Brownfield Remediation Success – Ounalashka Corporation
Our Brownfields team partnered with the Ounalashka Corporation, an Alaska Native Village Corporation, to address significant environmental challenges on their land.
