Content №1 от 2008
Transforming the relations between Aboriginal peoples and resource-users: from assertion of rights to modern participatory forms
One of the bases for transfer from a paternalistic policy to partner relations is creation of a participatory system of decision-making for Aboriginal peoples in the filed of natural resource management, including their engagement in provision the companies – natural resource-users - and their contractors with services of consuming and industrial character. For this purpose, mobilization of Aboriginal organizations concerning the protection of their interests is required as well, that would be a background for transformation of particular Aboriginal rights into their actual socio-economic benefits through different forms of such participatory system. The paper shows what possible ways and scenarios of the substitution the participatory system for separate economic agreements could be in order to provide wider involvement of Aboriginal peoples in natural resources projects which are planning to be implemented on the territory where they traditionally live. This also assumes the creation of special institutions including Aboriginal development corporations.