Memorandum of Understanding. Between Tr'ondek Hwech'in (herein referred to as "TH") and The Yukon College (herein referred to as the "College")

Transcription

1 YukonCollege Memorandum of Understanding Between Tr'ondek Hwech'in (herein referred to as "TH") and The Yukon College (herein referred to as the "College") collectively referred to as the "Parties" The Parties agree to work together as described herein This Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") becomes effective on the date the Parties have signed it, and will remain in force until terminated by one or both parties. PURPOSE: The purpose of this MOU is to create a framework wherein the Parties will work together for their mutual benefit in the development of a Teaching and Working Farm situated in TH traditional Territory. WHEREAS Yukon First Nations Final and Self-Government Agreements confirm the status of Yukon First Nations as governments in Yukon and affirm the aboriginal rights and responsibilities of Yukon First Nations and their Citizens throughout Yukon First Nations' traditional territories; WHEREAS the College recognizes and respects the unique history and cultures of all fourteen Yukon First Nations, upon whose Traditional Territories the College resides; WHEREAS the College is the Yukon leader in education, rooted in a diverse culture and northern environment where everyone is inspired to dream, learn and achieve; WHEREAS the College strives towards cultural understanding and wishes to engage in an active partnership with TH and all Yukon First Nations in order to integrate an understanding of Yukon First Nation culture in College curriculum and throughout operations. WHEREAS the Parties share numerous common values and objectives, including: a) Development of programming and associated curriculum essential to meeting the education and training needs of First Nations. MOU TH & YC Teaching and Working Farm September

2 b) Protection of Yukon's ecological integrity, c) Promotion of environmentally responsible agricultural practices, and d) Recognition that sound agricultural planning and implementation practices make a significant contribution to sustainable food sources; NOW THEREFORE this MOU sets out the understanding of the Parties as follows: The Parties agree: to work together to develop a plan for a teaching and working farm situated in TH traditional territory, which will include: o An initial design and layout of the farm (principal responsibility for this will reside with TH, with suggestions from the College related to providing an effective training environment) o The identification of areas where training could occur, and what curriculum is required for program delivery o Costs for the development and delivery of training programs on the farm o The identification of partners to promote the most efficient and effective agricultural development o The identification of funding sources to cover the costs of development and delivery of programming Leave a positive legacy for future Agricultural learning opportunities for TH and other Yukon First Nations TH agrees: To respect the rights and interests of the College as the only territorial funded post-secondary education institution in Yukon. The College agrees: To respect the rights of TH and other Yukon First Nations and Yukon Indian People under Yukon First Nation Final and Self-Government Agreements and the common law. IT IS MUTUALLY UNDERSTOOD AND AGREED BY THE PARTIES THAT: 1. This MOU states the intention of the Parties to operate in good faith within its framework. This MOU does not create any legal rights or financial or other obligations. 2. This MOU may be amended upon written agreement of the Parties. 3. With the consent of existing Parties, additional Parties may be added to this MOU by executing a signature page which will then become part of the MOU. MOU TH & YC Teaching and Working Farm September

3 4. The Parties will designate a Steering Committee to be the body principally responsible for guiding and implementing this MOU. The Steering Committee will meet in person at least three times per year, and as frequently as required during the development stage 5. Schedule A will guide the parties through the project in its initial stages. 6. Each of the parties to this agreement may terminate this agreement by providing 6 months' written notice to the other party. 7. The Parties will review this MOU within two years of signing to consider the success of collaborative initiatives under this MOU and to determine whether any amendments are desired. 8. The principal contacts for the implementation of this MOU are: a) Director Human Resources and Community Training - Trondek Hwech'in b) Vice President Academic Yukon College SIGNED: In Dawson City and the City of Whitehorse in the Yukon Territory. TR'ONDEK HWECH'IN YUKON COLLEGE Chief Eddie Taylor, Trondek Hwech'in President Karen Barnes, Yukon College Date: /7,,90),-/ MOU TH & YC Teaching and Working Farm September

4 SCHEDULE A Scope of the TH/YC Teaching and Working Farm Project Schedule A will guide the project in its initial stages. Schedule A may be amended at any time upon agreement of the Parties and any subsequent signatories to this MOU. This project will assist the Parties to realize many complementary objectives: TH wishes to: a) preserve a way of life that is based upon an economic and spiritual relationship with the land; b) secure a source of fresh produce and other food staples in a sustainable way within TH traditional territory; c) create a healthy, healing, safe and rewarding "on-the-land" environment upon which for all TH citizens can learn and work; d) access directed learning in agriculture and all the associated operational aspects and requirements including: Support for the return of indigenous plants and shrubs important to the sustenance and healing traditions and culture of TH; Support for the preservation, maintenance and production of indigenous plants and shrubs important to the sustenance and healing traditions and culture of TH; secured farmed sources of traditional and non-traditional meats; e) help to promote a source of training opportunity for trades skills development; f) develop plans for selling excess product to the general public as a source of revenue and sustainability for the farm. The College wishes to explore the feasibility of, and opportunity to: a) initiate a program/curriculum where students learn in an on-the-land classroom with both the traditional four walls and the living outdoors; b) develop and research new innovative approaches to year-round northern Yukon farming; c) establish learning opportunities in husbandry in a variety of northern environments; d) experiment in unique Northern on the land recycling; e) evaluate available energy sources including geo-thermal power; f) explore other potential opportunities in supporting work experience for College students in the overall operational needs of the farm; g) support on the land "live-on-site" Agriculture; and h) engage other partners in the project who have experience in this area and who have funding that could assist in covering the costs of development and delivery. MOU TH & YC Teaching and Working Farm September

5 As initial steps in achieving these objectives the Parties will: a) Form a Steering Committee who will: identify the long-term priorities for the project by year (annual priorities will be approved by the parties); develop a protocol for sharing the learning opportunity with other YFN communities; ensure that the essential characteristics and productive capacity of the Teaching & Working Farm remains a part of all planning for the project; respect Land Use Planning processes and work to ensure that social, cultural, economic and environmental policies are applied to the management, protection and use of land, water and resources in an integrated and coordinated manner so as to ensure sustainable farm development; support each other in protecting and advancing respective rights and interests in the project; collaboratively identify and address issues arising from applicable legislation and regulatory processes, and where appropriate, recommend solutions; develop a communications protocol; develop a dispute resolution process; and endeavour to develop and advocate a common position in respect of the development and long term sustainability of the Teaching and Working Farm b) Designate a Working Group who will meet as required to: Develop plans for each fiscal year's priorities as approved by the Parties (and the Steering Committee). The first year will include the development of a plan for the farm that includes: o design and layout; o budgets for operation of the farm identification of curriculum required proposed budgets to develop and deliver the training The annual approved work plans will be attached to this agreement as annexes. MOU TH & YC Teaching and Working Farm September