Nuclear Power Advisory Committee

Role

The role of the Clean Energy Advisory Committee is to provide support to the White Bear First Nations and the First Nations Power Authority in decision making regarding nuclear issues affecting the rights of the Cree, Saulteaux, Assiniboine, and Dakota people (“Nuclear Issues”). The Committee will guide approaches and strategies for ensuring White Bear rights impacts and interests are protected in relation to past, present, and potential future nuclear power projects. The Project Team (as specified by WBFN Chief and Council) will support the Committee by providing technical support and coordination.

At the direction of White Bear First Nations and First Nations Power Authority, the Committee with support from the Nation Energy Manager and Lands Department will engage and consult with proponents and government agencies involved in nuclear matters, including SaskPower and SaskNuclear, Crown Investments Corporation, Nuclear Waste Management Organization, Natural Resources Canada, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, and the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada among others (the “Nuclear Industry”).

The Committeee with support from the First Nations Power Authority, the Energy Manager and WBFN Lands Department, where necessary and will ensure Project Team members are informed about Nuclear Issues and have the opportunity to provide feedback and guidance regarding the protection of Cree, Saulteaux, Assiniboine, Dakota rights and interests of the White Bear First Nations collectively.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the Committee along with the Nation Energy Manager and Lands Department may include but are not limited to:

1. Support the White Bear First Nations and First Nations Power Authority through recommendations to aid in the development of mandates, directions, and strategies for engaging with the Nuclear Industry;

2. Implement the mandates, directions, and strategies approved by White Bear First Nations and First Nations Power Authority for engaging and consulting with the Nuclear Industry;

3. Meet and communicate regularly with the Nuclear Industry to advance discussions, engagement and consultation processes, and advance discussions towards White Bear First Nations impact benefit agreement negotiation(s) and final agreement(s);

4. Keep White Bear First Nations and First Nations Power Authority fully informed of all discussions, engagement and consultation processes, and negotiations with the SaskPower, SaskNuclear, and Nuclear Industry including all government regulators;

5. Plan for and undertaking community engagement and consultation regarding Nuclear Issues;

6. Report to the Project Team membership on the progress of discussions, engagement and consultation processes, and negotiations with the Nuclear Industry as appropriate to keep the Project Team membership informed;

7. Engage and consult with White Bear First Nations membership to receive feedback and guidance regarding the protection of Cree, Saulteaux, Assiniboine, and Dakota rights and interests;

8. Recommend actions or decisions to White Bear First Nations and First Nations Power Authority based on engagements and consultations with the nuclear industry and White Bear First Nations membership; and

9. Provide directions and instructions to White Bear First Nations technical and legal advisors during discussions with the Nuclear Industry.

Structure

The Committee will consist of three to four members appointed from the White Bear First Nations. The Committee members shall serve through appointment of the White Bear First Nations Chief and Council. The Committee will be supported by the White Bear First Nations Energy Manager and Lands Department and will seek the advice of legal and technical advisors such as the First Nations Power Authority or firms as required.

Chair

The Committee will appoint from among its members a chair. The chair will be responsible for leading the Committee meetings on an alternating basis, or as determined by the Committee.

The chair shall be the points of contact for the Committee and the Nation Energy Manager and Lands Department.

The chair shall be both responsible for reporting to White Bear First Nations and First Nations Power Authority, bringing back motions and resolutions to the Committee as needed.

Should the position of chair become vacant, the Committee will select a new chair at the following Committee meeting.

Functioning

In fulfilling its roles and responsibilities, the Committee with support from the Nation Energy Manager and Lands Department will:

● Prepare Briefing Notes for White Bear First Nations and First Nations Power Authority

● Attend Project Team Meetings as required; and

● Attend community meetings to engage and consult with White Bear First Nations membership.

The Committee will, with the support of the Nation Energy Manager and Lands Department keep detailed written records of all:

● discussions, engagement and consultation processes, and negotiations with the Nuclear Industry; and

● Committee meetings and other relevant meetings and communications that impact on discussions, engagement and consultation processes, and negotiations.

The Committee with the support of the Nation Energy Manager and Lands Department will, develop and provide the White Bear First Nations and First Nations Power Authority for their review:

● a schedule of Committee meetings, including internal strategic planning meetings and meetings with the Nuclear Industry;

● work plans for the Committee that identify the work to be undertaken by the Committee and the anticipated schedule for the completion of that work.

The Committee may appoint from among its members persons to be responsible for undertaking specific tasks, engagement processes, or negotiations. The Committee may also create sub-committees on an ad hoc basis to work on key files or matters as needed.

Operation of the Committee

The Committee will endeavor to meet monthly, or on a schedule agreed upon by its members. The chairs may call for additional meetings if circumstances require.

All Committee members shall attend each Committee meeting either in person or virtually. If a member is unavailable to attend a Committee meeting, the chair must be informed as soon as possible prior to the meeting.

The chair, with the support of the Nation Energy Manager and Lands Department, will prepare an agenda for each Committee meeting. All Committee members and technical advisors may request that items be added to the agenda.

At the beginning of each Committee meeting, the agenda shall be reviewed and approved prior to the commencement of the meeting.

The chair will ensure a minute taker is appointed and the action items are recorded along with assignment of tasks and timelines for their fulfillment.

The Committee will function by consensus. If there is a dispute among the Committee members about its mandate, the chair will seek to resolve it. If the conflict persists, the matter will be referred to the White Bear First Nations Chief and Council and First Nations Power Authority for resolution.

Confidentiality

Subject to the directions from White Bear First Nations Chief and Council and First Nations Power Authority and save for materials prepared specifically for public engagement and consultation with White Bear First Nations membership, any material prepared by and for the Committee, including materials prepared with the support of the White Bear First Nations Energy Manager and Lands Department Offices, will be confidential.

To apply for this committee, please send an email to info@fnpa.ca by October 15, 2025.