Referral Process Outline

Referral Initiation

Proponent contacts KLCN to advise of their interest in conducting land-changing activities in KLCN territory.
Contact takes the form of a cover letter indicating the nature, scope, location and timeline of the proposed activity,
and is accompanied by a shape file showing the location of the proposed activity (ies). Documents can be sent to cliff@kinuseo.com.. 

Referral Submission Protocol and Process Triggered

Upon receipt of proponent’s cover letter and proposed activity map, KLCN will acknowledge the proponent’s interest in doing business with KLCN, and will inform proponent of KLCN’s referral protocol and process.

Costs to the Proponent

There is no cost to prospective proponents to contact KLCN about the possibilities of doing business on KLCN territory. Potential proponents will be directed to referral protocols and processes on the KLCN website at no cost.
There will be an application fee of $500.00 payable to KLCN when proponents submit their application materials. This fee will be used to cover the cost of the application evaluation by KLCN personnel. Costs associated with the implementation of the proposed project will depend on the project scope and other factors to be determined in discussions between KLCN and the proponent.

Submission Process

Proponents will be directed to engage in the KLCN referral process, defined in the protocol documents. [Timeline: 30 days from when application process triggered.]
Components of this process could include:

1. Proponents asked to review and indicate that they have read, understood and agree to respect KLCN documents including ideology statement, community plans, vision statements, etc.
2. Proponent submits information detailing: who they are; their approach to working with other stakeholders (especially aboriginal peoples); previous work; previous work with aboriginal peoples; track record of hiring local people; environmental track record, etc.
3. Description of the proposed project, including: nature and scope; location; timeline; how they will address potential impacts on KLCN traditional use; who will be doing the work; plans for monitoring; plans for consultation with KLCN regarding the project; and provide contact information for proponent.
4. If proponent has worked with KLCN before, they will be asked to describe how this project relates to their previous work in the territory, and how they will address the cumulative impacts of their multiple projects in KLCN territory.
5. If proponent has a positive working relationship with KLCN, their application may qualify for “fast tracking.” (To be determined in consultation with KLCN).
6. Shape files of the proposed activity overlaid on electronic maps available on KLCN website which show territorial boundaries, existing development projects, and traditional use areas. Proponents will also include a narrative description of how their proposed activities would impact traditional use, and how they plan to address this.
7. Proponent required to submit referral process checklist with their application.

Evaluation

KLCN will evaluate proponents’ applications to do business in KLCN territory, assess the impacts of the proposed project, and determine appropriate next steps. Expected timeline for the evaluation process is 30 days from receipt of completed application; however, this timeline may vary depending on the completeness of the application, the volume of materials submitted, and the level of internal review and research required. Proposals will be evaluated according to their likely impacts on:

1. Traditional, spiritual and cultural use;
2. Social life and educational life of KLCN people
3. Health of KLCN people
4. Environment
5. Economic activities (both formal and informal)

Discussions & Recommendations

Following evaluation of proponents’ applications to conduct business in KLCN territory, KLCN will arrange to meet with proponents in person to:

1. discuss the details of their applications;
2. to begin to address issues that may have arisen in the evaluation process; and
3. to plan for the next steps in building business relationships. [Timeline ~30 days.] 

Possible outcomes of these discussions include:

• Request for more information from proponent
• Approval to formalize business relationship and begin the project
• Identification of minor issues still to be resolved, resulting in approval delays
• Identification of major issues to be addressed; approval delayed indefinitely

Business Agreement

When KLCN and the proponent come to a mutual understanding and acceptance of the project, the two parties will enter into a formal business agreement. This agreement will detail project scope and management, including: timeline; location; cost; nature of the work; impact monitoring and mitigation; and the role of KLCN people in the project.
Tracking & Monitoring

Throughout the project, KLCN, in coordination with their business partners, will ensure ongoing tracking and monitoring of any land and life changing activities resulting from the project.