Treaty and Aboriginal Land Stewards Association of Alberta (TALSAA)
The Treaty and Aboriginal Land Stewards Association of Alberta (TALSAA) is committed and works diligently with members, stakeholders, academics, policy makers, and other organizations to ensure that TALSAA remains accountable in meeting the commitments we’ve identified and made through our Strategic Plan.
Our Annual Report for 2023-24 outlines our successes and accomplishments in achieving these commitments, as well as other initiatives we are working towards. We recognize that there is still much work to be done, and we remain dedicated to engaging with those around us and continuing the important work of supporting Alberta’s First Nation land managers and lands departments.
The 2023-24 annual report is a comprehensive document that will outline the performance and activities of TALSAA, over the course of one year.
TALSAA stands firm in its commitment to transparency and honesty. We understand the importance of being open with our members and stakeholders about our operations, activities, successes, and failures. As such, we take great effort to report accurately on our organization’s activities and achievements in an annual report each year.
Our Annual Report provides a comprehensive review of our operations and activities, as well as an overview of our goals and objectives for the upcoming year. We are accountable to those we serve and take our role seriously in providing an honest account of TALSAA’s progress.
The Board of Directors is responsible for the preparation, accuracy, and integrity of information presented in the annual report. The Board will review and approve all financial statements and other reports before they are issued to members and stakeholders. This includes ensuring that TALSAA complies with applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
The Executive Director is also responsible for overseeing the development of the annual report. The Executive Director will work with staff to ensure that accurate information is presented in a timely manner and that any required changes or updates are made prior to its release.
TALSAA takes our commitment seriously to provide honest, transparent reporting on our activities and performance each year. We look forward to providing you with an informative annual report looking back at our year in 2023-24.
We, the Treaty and Aboriginal Land Stewards Association of Alberta (TALSAA), acknowledge that we are in Treaty 6 territory, traditional land of the Cree, Saulteaux, Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani) and Nakota Sioux Nations.
We recognize our rich culture and heritage as well as our continuing connection to these lands and waters. We respect and acknowledge the inherent sovereignty of all Indigenous Peoples over their traditional territories and pay our deep respects to our ancestors, who have stewarded this land throughout generations.
We also acknowledge the contributions of other Indigenous Nations in the area including the Inuit, the Métis Nation, Tsuu T’ina Nation, Stoney Nakoda First Nations (Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley), as well as other Indigenous nations who have travelled through this traditional land. We recognize their historical and ongoing presence here and are grateful to be living and working on these lands together.
We humbly recognize the sacrifices made by our First Nations communities in protecting this land for future generations and pledge to work together in a spirit of mutual respect and understanding.
Together, we will continue to strive towards true reconciliation and justice for all people.
Respectfully,
The Treaty and Aboriginal Land Stewards Association of Alberta (TALSAA)
This past year has been one of growth and progress for TALSAA. We remain committed to empowering First Nation Land Managers through high-quality training and capacity-building initiatives.
In 2023, we successfully hosted multiple inperson and virtual training sessions, covering essential topics such as land management, economic recovery, and traditional knowledge sharing.
Our projects have also expanded, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring that First Nations communities have the tools they need for sustainable land stewardship. As we move forward, we will continue to provide meaningful training opportunities, increase our membership, and advocate for policies that support First Nation land management.
Thank you to our members, partners, and stakeholders for your continued dedication and collaboration. Together, we are building stronger, self-sufficient First Nations communities.
CloAnn Wells Board Chair, TALSAA
The National Aboriginal Lands Managers Association (NALMA) is a dynamic organization committed to providing efficient tools and resources to its members through the Regional Land Associations and Associate Members. We honour the members of each of the Associations for their hard work and dedication, which allows NALMA to undertake the many challenges that support and promote best practices in First Nation land management.
National Organization of First Nation Lands Managers which will actively network towards the enhancement of professional development and technical expertise in the functions of Lands Management, and which will also incorporate First Nations values and beliefs in Lands Management always keeping in mind the grass-root practices when dealing with Lands Management.
National Aboriginal Lands Managers Association
1024 Mississauga Street Curve Lake, Ontario, K0L 1R0
Toll-Free: 1-877-234-9813
Phone: 705-657-7660
Fax: 705-657-7177
Email: info@nalma.ca
Website: www.nalma.ca
NALMA membership is made up of the Regional Lands Association (RLA) and such other eligible persons or Associations as admitted by resolution of the Board.
The Regional Lands Associations are independent regional or territorial associations established by Land Managers and recognized by NALMA.
Directors for each RLA make up the Corporate body of NALMA. This model allows Regional perspectives to be discussed at a National level.
Atlantic Region Aboriginal Lands Association (ARALA)
British Columbia Aboriginal Land Managers (BCALM)
First Nation Lands Managers Association for Quebec and Labrador (FNLMAQL)
Ontario Aboriginal Lands Association (OALA)
Planning and Land Administrators of Nunavut (PLAN)
Saskatchewan Aboriginal Land Technicians (SALT)
Treaty and Aboriginal Land Stewards Association of Alberta (TALSAA)
Manitoba USKE (USKE)
To assist First Nation Land Managers in addressing their broad ranging responsibilities with limited technical and financial resources, TALSAA was conceived by several interested and concerned First Nation Land Managers in Alberta with common objectives, issues, and challenges.
TALSAA was initially founded by interested Alberta First Nation Land Managers representing Treaty 6, 7 and 8 that identified a need for the establishment of an organization to address common issues relevant to First Nation lands in Alberta’s First Nation Communities.
TALSAA has replaced their predecessor, the Alberta Aboriginal Lands Association (AALA) that was established in 2000 to address similar issues. In the transition from AALA to TALSAA, the original nine (9) First Nation members have continued their networking and communications and have also continued their affiliation with the Board of Directors of the National Aboriginal Land Managers Association (NALMA).
Our mission is to support First Nations communities in their journey to self-sufficiency through land management training and networking. We believe in growth through communication and collaboration, building capacity within lands departments, and meeting communities “where they are.” We are committed to promoting sustainable land practices and economies.
Our vision is to provide First Nations communities with the tools they need to manage their lands and resources in a sustainable way. We believe in strong, healthy communities that are self-sufficient and connected to their land. We are committed to promoting traditional values and practices that sustain the land and the people.
Advance our mission through membership Growth.
Create and maintain Trust through open Communication.
Build Capacity of lands departments. Commit to achieving our Goals.
Meet Communities ‘where they are’.
At TALSAA, we are dedicated to working with First Nations communities to ensure the sustainability of their lands and resources. We are committed to fostering a spirit of collaboration between our members, providing them with the necessary tools for successful land management, and advocating on their behalf.
By connecting First Nations leaders, experts, and community members, we hope to create lasting relationships that will result in healthier, more vibrant communities. TALSAA provides knowledge and resources to empower First Nations communities. We believe that these efforts will lead to greater self-sufficiency and improved quality of life for all indigenous people.
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Increase membership and partnerships to ensure our training and networking opportunities reach more First Nations communities.
Connect First Nations communities with knowledgeable people and organizations to build capacity for land management.
Provide education and support for sustainable land practices and economies.
Facilitate meaningful dialogue between leaders, experts, and community members on issues of land management.
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Create a network of resources that will enable First Nations communities to develop their own land-related initiatives.
Develop and implement innovative strategies that focus on the needs of each community.
Empower First Nations communities to become self-sufficient in their land management journey.
Promote collaborative efforts between First Nations communities, governments, and industry stakeholders.
Our members bring land management expertise and a deep knowledge of land-use strategies across Alberta, ranging from land use planning to land governance. They play an integral role in land management by ensuring that land-use strategies benefit the land, people, and environment.
The following is a summary of key training and engagement sessions held throughout the reporting period. These events provided valuable learning opportunities for participants, focusing on land management, economic recovery, cultural knowledge, and professional development.
Our goal is to continue to grow our membership base in 2024.
We anticipate welcoming 4 to 6 new members into the TALSAA family this year, helping us reach our strategic goal of onboarding 3-4 new members annually.
TREATY 6 has 17 First Nations in Central Alberta. 7 of the 17 First Nations are members of TALSAA.
TREATY 7 has 5 First Nations in Southern Alberta. All 5 First Nations are members of TALSAA.
TREATY 8 has 23 First Nations in Northern Alberta. 7 of the 23 First Nations are members of TALSAA.
Every year, we organize multiple events aimed at connecting Land Managers from Alberta’s First Nation communities and fostering relationships among providers, partners, and other stakeholders.
Keep an eye out for our 2025-2026 training calendar!
TALSAA, in 2023, has made major strides in increasing positive awareness of the work that we do.
We have achieved this by increasing presentation invitations from non-members and external partners, we engaged in more joint training initiatives with other RLA’s and external organizations and increased the size of our email list. In addition to these tangible achievements, we have had positive feedback from members on the quality of our services and programs. We hope to continue to build on this progress in the coming years by further promoting our work and engaging in more collaborations with other organizations. Other steps in increasing awareness of TALSAA, who we are and what we do have been taken by having a presence on social media platforms, the creation of TALSAA newsletters, regular updates from members and increased collaboration with local press and news outlets.
2024-25 promises to be an exciting year for TALSAA and pursuing our mission.
With the goal of increasing membership, outreach activities, meeting attendance, presentation invitations, joint training initiatives, growing our email list size, receiving positive feedback from members as well as sustainably expanding services and funding sources – we are confident that this will be a successful year.
To achieve our objectives, our team will focus on amplifying outreach efforts to bring more attention to the organization’s mission and increase awareness. We will continue to use digital marketing campaigns such as social media and email newsletters to reach new audiences and grow our current audiences across multiple platforms.
TALSAA will be hosting multiple meetings throughout the year with topics that appeal to potential members and will provide valuable content to our existing membership. We look forward to joint training initiatives with other organizations and our Regional Lands Associations to further expand our reach and knowledge base.
We look forward to continuing to develop these valued relationships and to collaborate to enhance this years’ experience and events. We will be exploring new sources of funding to add more services that benefit our members. We are actively seeking out grants and donations from corporate sponsors, individual donors, or other organizations to sustainably expand the reach of TALSAA.
• Increase Our Membership
• Increase Our Outreach Activities
• Increase Training Attendance
• Increase Partner Invitations
• Increase Joint Training Initiatives
• Feedback Initiatives
• Increase Our Services
• Additional Funding Sources
• Build Staff Capacity
As part of our annual review process, TALSAA will evaluate progress against all objectives every six months throughout 2024-25.
This will enable us to identify areas where we need improvement or actions that must be taken to help ensure success by the end of the fiscal year.
The review process will be conducted by our leadership and all members will have the opportunity to submit feedback. Members will also be invited to participate in surveys and interviews throughout the year, equipping TALSAA with valuable insights for future planning and improvements.
This comprehensive evaluation process is essential in helping us ensure that we are on track towards achieving our organizational goals. With this data, we can continue to build upon our successes and make informed decisions moving forward.
To measure the success of these objectives, TALSAA will track membership growth, meeting attendance, presentation invitations, email list size, positive feedback from members as well as number of services offered and total funding sources secured throughout the year amongst others. Furthermore, TALSAA will utilize financial metrics such as spending per service and total income to measure budgeting and sustainability of the organization.
We are confident that our objectives for 2024- 25 can be achieved with the help of a dedicated team working towards a shared mission.
The coming year will bring several new challenges and opportunities for TALSAA.
The organization is planning to increase its focus on expanding the reach of the programs they offer, as well as leveraging technology to create more efficient processes.
TALSAA also plans to continue strengthening their relationship with governments and other funders to secure additional funding for their programs. In addition, TALSAA will be actively seeking corporate sponsorships and donations to support their operations.
TALSAA is planning to expand its capacity-building efforts by providing more training opportunities for Aboriginal communities and organizations in Alberta. With these new initiatives, TALSAA hopes to continue creating meaningful change that positively impacts communities in the province.
We are confident that TALSAA is well positioned to achieve its objectives this year and remain committed to fulfilling our mission of providing competent, fair, and transparent stewardship for land management for our membership communities in Alberta.
TALSAA remains dedicated to upholding our commitment to provide responsible, accountable, and effective stewardship for First Nation land management in Alberta. With the current financial outlook, we are confident in our ability to continue fulfilling this mission for years to come.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank our staff, members and other stakeholders for their ongoing support and commitment to TALSAA’s objectives. We look forward to continuing working together towards achieving a stronger voice in land management across Alberta.
The financial report for the Treaty and Aboriginal Land Stewards Association of Alberta (TALSAA) for the fiscal year ending March 2024 reflects a strong and sustainable outlook for the organization. With prudent financial management and strategic planning, TALSAA is well-positioned to continue delivering competent, fair, and transparent stewardship in land management.
As part of our long-term vision, we are committed to expanding capacity-building efforts and strengthening relationships with key funders to ensure continued growth and sustainability. Our financial position allows us to confidently pursue our objectives in the coming year. The success of TALSAA is built on collective action and collaboration. We extend our gratitude to our dedicated staff, volunteers, members, and stakeholders who have played a vital role in advancing our mission.
Recruitment of new members remains a priority, and we are eager to welcome more individuals and communities to join us in strengthening land stewardship across Alberta.
To learn more about becoming a member of TALSAA or attending one of our events, please visit our website at www.talsaa.ca.
Training for First Nation Land Managers, both in person and online, is at the core of what we do at TALSAA. Our mission is to ensure that all Land Managers have access to the necessary skills and resources for a successful career in land stewardship.
Treaty & Aboriginal Land Stewards Association of Alberta (TALSAA)
215-11501 Buffalo Run Blvd, Tsuut'ina, AB T3T 0E4
1-780-982-5574 ed@talsaa.ca www.talsaa.ca
