Ontario First Nation Lands Managers Working Together for a Better Tomorrow
History
In 1995 a small group of Ontario First Nation Lands Managers formed an association to address unique land management issues and related common interests while providing a forum to strategize on problems and concerns. OALA was formed to support and assist fellow Lands Managers when needed.
In 1995 when a small group of land managers came together to form OALA, it was because they recognized the need for more opportunities for training and networking in the field of land management. This profession comes with an exceptional amount of responsibility to maintain the integrity of the First Nation lands they are managing while also navigating the legal obligations required to effectively manage land, whether under the Indian Act, or as signatories to the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management. Working together to build networks to support each other is the foundation of this Association.
This group was the first of its kind in all of Canada, and OALA can proudly say the OALA was the birth of Regional Lands Association organizations Nationwide!
One of the original goals of OALA was to establish a National Lands Management Association consisting of Lands Managers across Canada. This would allow the Regional Lands Associations to discuss and network about the complex nature of Land Management, which is managed under Federal Legislation. This goal was accomplished in 2000 at a National Gathering in Toronto with the birth of the National Aboriginal Lands Managers Association (NALMA).
OALA is one of eight Regional Lands Associations (RLA) that make up corporate body of NALMA. The Chairperson or President for each of the 8 RLA’s hold one seat on the NALMA Board. This model encourages a constant dialogue between Regional and National stakeholders to address the complex matters that arise in Land Management.
To learn more about NALMA, please visit their website www.nalma.ca
OALA continues to provide networking, peer support and training opportunities for First Nation Lands Managers in Ontario.
