About Us

In 1992 the Government of Canada ratified the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity aimed at biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of biological resources. Notably, the Convention recognized the crucial importance of the role of Aboriginal peoples and their traditional knowledge in the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity.

Following the ratification of the Convention a Canadian Biodiversity Strategy was developed in 1995 which explicitly recognizes that the “conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of biological resources are fundamental to Canada’s indigenous communities.” In 1996 Environment Canada approached Aboriginal governments and organizations regarding Aboriginal involvement in the development of federal endangered species legislation that was mandated by the Canadian Biodiversity Strategy. With significant assistance from the Aboriginal Working Group on Species at Risk in drafting the Act, the Species at Risk Act (SARA) was proclaimed into law on June 5, 2003.

The preamble to SARA proclaims that the roles of Aboriginal peoples of Canada “in the conservation of wildlife in this country are essential” and that “the traditional knowledge of the Aboriginal peoples of Canada should be considered in the assessment of which species may be at risk and in developing and implementing recovery measures.” This clearly states the central role that Aboriginal peoples are to play in the implementation of the Act.

With the passing of the Species at Risk Act the National Aboriginal Council on Species at Risk (NACOSAR) was established under section 8.1 of the SARA. Council members, who are representatives of Aboriginal peoples of Canada, are appointed by the Minister. The Council provides an opportunity to advance Aboriginal perspectives on species at risk issues across the country. The inaugural meeting of NACOSAR took place in September 2005 with the Minister of Environment.

The role of NACOSAR is to advise the federal Minister of Environment on the administration of SARA and provide advice and recommendations to the Canadian Endangered Species Conservation Council. The NACOSAR holds regular meetings across the county in various Aboriginal communities and attends numerous events relating to species at risk issues that concern Aboriginal peoples. It is supported by a Policy and Planning Committee with representatives from each of the national Aboriginal organizations. To date, NACOSAR has hosted three national workshops for Aboriginal peoples to provide a forum for addressing species at risk issues and concerns on the implementation of SARA.

On behalf of the National Aboriginal Council on Species at Risk I thank you for visiting our website, and hope that you find it informative and useful. In the coming months more features will be added to the website so that you are kept up-to-date with species at risk issues in Aboriginal communities.

NACOSAR will continue to work towards improving Aboriginal participation in species at risk concerns and ensuring that Aboriginal rights and interests are respected.