Major Project Coalition members have expressed concerns about the inadequate focus of federal and provincial environmental assessment processes for major projects; the Coalition’s Major Project Assessment Standard (“the Standard”) is in direct response to these concerns. The member Nations have agreed that it is no longer acceptable to have the requirements of major project assessments largely determined by the Crown and proponents of major projects. The stewardship and governance rights and responsibilities of First Nations – recognized by the United Nations, Crown commitments, and the customary laws of our people – demand the First Nations themselves identify applicable requirements. The Standard is an aspirational document identifying members’ requirements for assessment of environmental effects of major projects, including: Expectations Proponents of major projects will be held to; and Expectations for the conduct of Crown environmental assessment processes. The Standard provides Coalition member-developed and agreed upon principles, criteria, and other guidance and expectations to guide major project environmental assessments. It has: Nine guiding Principles; and Over 100 Criteria and sub-criteria providing expectations of what it will take to adhere to the spirit and intent of each principle. The Standard addresses engagement, funding, scoping, assessment, and other requirements. It recognizes that for our member Nations, the purpose of major project assessment is to protect the biophysical and human environmental resources relied upon by our member Nations for the meaningful practice of Aboriginal or treaty rights and exercise of title, and to promote Indigenous economic development and reconciliation. The Standard was adopted via a vote of the Caucus of the Coalition on March 6th, 2019, and can be revised in the future via a similar process.