WMA Proponent Engagement Process
The first step in engaging with WMA for a project or Joint Venture (JV) opportunity in Nova Scotia is to complete the WMA Initial Inquiry Form. This form gathers essential background on your organization, proposed project, and potential areas of collaboration with WMA.
Please click the link below to access and submit the form:
Once submitted, WMA will review your information as part of our internal assessment process.
Upon receipt of the Initial Inquiry and supporting materials, WMA will conduct an internal review to assess the opportunity’s alignment with our values, priorities, and responsibilities. This review ensures that any potential partnership or project aligns with the interests and long-term well-being of Mi’kmaq communities.
Review Criteria:
WMA will evaluate the submission based on the following key areas:
- Alignment with Mi’kmaq Values & Economic Development Goals
- Environmental Stewardship
- Economic Benefits to Mi’kmaq Communities
Internal Review Outcome:
- If the submission meets WMA’s baseline criteria, a follow-up meeting will be scheduled to discuss the opportunity in more detail.
- If additional information is required before proceeding, WMA will reach out to the proponent for clarification or revisions.
- If the opportunity is not aligned at this time, WMA will respectfully communicate the decision with rationale.
Following WMA’s internal review, and if the opportunity is deemed to have potential alignment, a follow-up meeting will be scheduled with the proponent. This step provides an opportunity for open dialogue, clarification, and exploration of next steps.
Meeting Objectives:
- Discuss Project Details:
Dive deeper into the scope, vision, and anticipated outcomes of the project or JV opportunity. - Clarify WMA’s Potential Role:
Explore how WMA could participate — whether as a Joint Venture partner, stakeholder, advisor, or contractor — and confirm expectations on both sides. - Address Questions or Concerns:
Both parties are encouraged to ask questions, identify potential challenges, and discuss how values, goals, and processes align.
Format:
- Meetings may be conducted virtually or in person, depending on availability and preference.
- Additional WMA representatives or advisors may be invited to participate as needed.
- Proponents are encouraged to bring any technical leads or partners relevant to the conversation.
If the opportunity progresses positively through the initial stages, and the proposed project has potential implications for local Mi’kmaq communities, WMA may initiate a community engagement process. This step ensures that community voices are heard, respected, and meaningfully included before moving forward.
Purpose of Community Engagement:
- To ensure transparency and inclusivity in project planning.
- To provide community members with the opportunity to ask questions, share concerns, and offer feedback.
- To support informed decision-making by both WMA and community leadership.
Engagement Activities May Include:
- Engagement with Community Leadership:
WMA may meet with Chiefs, Councils, or designated representatives to review the opportunity and gather preliminary input. - Community Presentations or Information Sessions:
Proponents may be invited to present their project or JV proposal directly to relevant community groups or committees. - Feedback Gathering:
WMA may facilitate the collection of community feedback, either formally (e.g., surveys or meetings) or informally (e.g., discussions, community visits).
Expectations for Proponents:
- Show flexibility in adjusting project elements to reflect community input where appropriate.
- Share with WMA a summary of any Indigenous engagement they have already undertaken independently, including who was consulted, what was discussed, and any key outcomes.
Following successful completion of initial steps and any necessary community engagement, both WMA and the proponent will undertake thorough internal due diligence to ensure the viability, compatibility, and overall alignment of the partnership or proposed project.
Areas of Due Diligence include:
1. Financial Assessment
- Review financial statements, projections, and investment requirements.
- Evaluate financial stability and funding mechanisms proposed.
Note: There may be upfront costs associated with preparation of Joint Ventures. These will be determined on a case-by-case basis depending on the nature and structure of the proposed opportunity.
2. Legal and Regulatory Assessment
- Confirm compliance with applicable regulations, permits, and legal requirements.
- Identify potential legal risks or liabilities associated with the project or JV.
3. Technical Assessment
- Evaluate the technical feasibility and sustainability of the proposed project.
- Confirm adequacy of infrastructure, technology, and resources planned or required.
4. Risk Analysis
- Identify and assess risks associated with project execution, timelines, financing, environmental factors, and community acceptance.
- Develop preliminary risk mitigation strategies.
5. Compatibility of Goals and Values
- Ensure mutual understanding and alignment on economic, environmental, and community objectives.
- Validate that shared values and expectations support a strong partnership.
Next Step Following Due Diligence and Evaluation:
- Both parties will document and communicate findings transparently.
Upon successful completion of due diligence, and provided both parties express mutual interest in moving forward, WMA and the proponent will collaborate to draft a non-binding Term Sheet or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Purpose of the Term Sheet / MOU:
The Term Sheet or MOU outlines the foundational principles and agreed-upon terms, ensuring clarity and mutual understanding before formalizing agreements.
Key Components to Include:
- Parties Involved
- Clearly identify each party, along with their roles, legal status, and primary representatives who are responsible for overseeing the MOU.
- Clearly identify each party, along with their roles, legal status, and primary representatives who are responsible for overseeing the MOU.
- Purpose and Objectives
- Outline the purpose of the MOU, including equity structure (for joint ventures), collaborative areas, and overarching goals.
- Describe any specific projects or initiatives that the MOU pertains to, including timelines, expectations and deliverables.
- Scope of Collaboration
- Outline the specific activities or projects each party will collaborate on
- Specify the roles of each party involved, including tasks, expectations, responsibilities, and any financial contributions or resource commitments.
- Governance and Oversight
- Outline governance structure and decision-making protocols, such as the formation of a steering committee, working groups, or advisory boards.
- Establish requirements for regular updates or progress reports on the partnership and its activities.
- Detail how each party will be held accountable for fulfilling the MOUs terms and conditions.
- Confidentiality and Cultural and Traditional Knowledge Protection
- Commitment to protecting and valuing Indigenous Knowledge, cultural and traditional practices and Indigenous intellectual property.
- Clauses related to the confidentiality of proponent proprietary information, recognizing that WMA will need to meaningfully engage with the communities and its elected leadership during the development of any Formal Agreement.
- Engagement Process
- Describe how engagement will occur, ensuring WMA’s member First Nations communities are involved and their rights respected throughout the process.
- Project engagement with communities through WMA can improve, but does not replace, the Crown’s duty to consult and accommodate Mi’kmaw rights. WMA is not involved in those community consultation processes.
- Project engagement with communities through WMA can improve, but does not replace, the Crown’s duty to consult and accommodate Mi’kmaw rights. WMA is not involved in those community consultation processes.
- Describe how engagement will occur, ensuring WMA’s member First Nations communities are involved and their rights respected throughout the process.
- Indigenous Rights and Title
- Acknowledge the inherent rights of First Nations Peoples, including land rights, resource rights, and self-determination.
- Recognize how these rights will be respected.
- Economic and Social Benefits
- Define how the WMA processes will work in collaboration with KMKNO Benefits Office processes, including to:
- Address how First Nations will benefit from the project.
- Commit to prioritizing Indigenous employment and contracting opportunities.
- Outline approaches to promoting Mi’kmaq-owned businesses and suppliers.
- Identify opportunities for enhancing skills, training, or knowledge transfer for Mi’kmaw community members.
- Highlight long-term sustainability goals and partnership objectives.
- Define initial terms regarding investments, ownership shares, and profit-sharing.
- Specify proposed equity distribution or participation arrangements.
- Define how the WMA processes will work in collaboration with KMKNO Benefits Office processes, including to:
- Environmental Protection and Stewardship
- The KMK Benefits Department works to ensure Mi’kmaq inclusion and participation in projects happening in Nova Scotia. Define how the WMA processes will work in collaboration with KMK and community-based environmental and resource stewardship processes, including to:
- Identify how the project will minimize environmental harm and protect First Nations land and water resources.
- Detail any monitoring, mitigation, and adaptive management strategies to prevent or address negative impacts on the environment or cultural heritage.
- Identify how Indigenous Knowledge will be included in environmental assessments, monitoring programs, and decision-making processes.
- The KMK Benefits Department works to ensure Mi’kmaq inclusion and participation in projects happening in Nova Scotia. Define how the WMA processes will work in collaboration with KMK and community-based environmental and resource stewardship processes, including to:
- Dispute Resolution
- Describe how disagreements between each party will be handled, including the use of mediators, third-party facilitators, or Indigenous legal frameworks.
- Include the process for escalating disputes if initial resolution efforts are unsuccessful.
- Funding and Financial Arrangements
- Outline any financial commitments.
- Specify any non-monetary resources or services that will be provided by each party.
- Define how financial management will be handled, including the monitoring of expenditures and reporting procedures.
- Public Communication and Media Relations
- Outline how communications related to the project will be handled, including press releases, announcements, and joint statements.
- Ensure that WMA has input into any public-facing materials to ensure accuracy and cultural sensitivity.
- Amendments and Modifications
- Describe how the MOU can be modified, amended, or renewed over time to reflect evolving circumstances or needs.
- Ensure that all changes to the MOU are agreed upon by both parties.
- Term and Duration
- Specify how long the MOU will remain in effect and the conditions for its renewal, amendment, or termination.
- Outline the conditions under which either party may exit or terminate the agreement, with handover of responsibilities or post-project collaboration upon termination.
Next Steps Following MOU:
- Both parties will review and refine terms until mutual agreement is reached.
- Both parties will sign the MOU and include the date and location of signing, as well as any other formalities necessary to validate the agreement.
- Upon finalization, this document will guide preparation of the Formal Agreement.
Following mutual acceptance of the Term Sheet or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), both parties will finalize and execute together a Joint Venture Agreement, Participation Agreement, or other formal contractual arrangements as applicable. The agreements should include dispute resolution processes and governance structures.
Finalization and Signing:
- The formal agreement must be reviewed and approved by the authorized representatives of each party.
- Upon agreement, signatures will formalize the partnership, initiating project execution.
Once a formal agreement is in place, WMA is committed to maintaining clear, consistent, and collaborative communication throughout the lifecycle of the project or partnership. This may include regular check-in meetings, quarterly progress reports, annual reviews, and other forms of engagement as agreed upon. WMA may appoint a dedicated liaison to oversee communication, provide updates, and support effective coordination between all parties.
To support this process, partners are encouraged to use the WMA Communication Inquiry Form to request meetings or clarify communication needs, and the WMA Document Submission Form to submit required reports, updates, and related documentation.
[Note: Forms coming soon! Please contact at Crystal Nicholas at gm@wmalimited.com or 902-631-2446 and we will get back to you promptly.]
Maintaining strong communication ensures alignment, transparency, and shared success.