Frequently Asked Questions
The Treaty and Aboriginal Lands Stewards Association of Alberta (TALSAA) is a professional organization representing First Nation land managers in Alberta. TALSAA's members are responsible for the management of traditional and reserve lands in their communities, and work to ensure that development is done in a sustainable and culturally-sensitive manner.
TALSAA provides its members with networking, communications, and professional development opportunities, as well as a forum for discussing common issues and challenges.
The role of TALSAA is to offer tools and systems to manage lands, providing capacity building, training, and expertise in land management for Lands Managers in Alberta. By providing professional development workshops with up-to-date and relevant information, tailoring training to TALSAA members, developing and supporting on-going communication and networking links and operating as a non-political technical body.
TALSAA works to promote sustainable development and effective management practices for First Nation lands in Alberta. The organization provides training and resources for First Nation land managers, and advocates on behalf of its members at the provincial and federal levels. TALSAA also works with other organizations, government departments, and industry partners to improve communications and collaboration around First Nation land management issues.
No, NALMA membership is made up of the members of the eight Regional Lands Association across Canada 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. Chairs for each RLA make up the Corporate body/Board of Directors of NALMA. This model allows Regional perspectives to be discussed at a National level.
Regional Lands Associations
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)
No, it does not matter which land regime you are in. TALSAA is available to support its members regardless of being in a Land Regime or not. TALSAA is a technical and resource support for our members to provide them with the readiness and capacity building components required in all regimes.
Yes. Some of TALSAA’s members are operational under the Framework Agreement. Training and networking opportunities are always geared to members needs, and that includes the needs of First Nations who are signatories to the Framework Agreement.
Yes. Some TALSAA members manage their land under the Indian Act. Training and networking opportunities are always geared to members needs, and that includes First Nations who operate under the Reserve Land and Environment Management Program, or those who are not under any specific Land Regime.
Yes. Building capacity in Lands Management is one of the main objectives of TALSAA. First Nations are encouraged to join TALSAA to build their network in the Lands Management profession, and access training that will help support the First Nations goals for managing land.
The main goal of TALSAA is supporting Alberta First Nations Lands Managers through land management training and networking for thriving First Nations communities.
TALSAA’s main goals:
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To grow our membership
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Increase positive awareness of our work
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Sustainably expand our services
Some benefits of becoming a member include access to TALSAA's training and resources, networking opportunities, and the ability to participate in the organization's advocacy work. Members also have the opportunity to shape the direction of the organization, and to contribute to the development of First Nation land management policy in Alberta.
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If you are a member of TALSAA, you are then an automatic member of National Aboriginal Lands Mangers Association (NALMA) and eligible for NALMA training, events, and networking opportunities.
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TALSAA membership meeting are held quarterly.
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Have access to professional lands manager networking opportunities.
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Have access to training opportunities.
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We provide a travel allowance to attend meetings.
Membership with the Treaty and Aboriginal Land Stewards Association of Alberta (TALSAA) shall be limited to persons or Lands Professionals interested in furthering the objects of TALSAA. Subject to the articles, there shall be two classes of members defined with TALSAA, namely, “voting members” and “non-voting members.”
Voting membership shall be available only to First Nations Lands Professional, or their designate, who support the purposes of TALSAA and who have applied and have been accepted by the Board for voting membership with TALSAA.
Voting Members
First Nation Land Management Professionals who manage land in Alberta on a First Nation, and operate under various land regimes, such as:
- Under the Indian Act
- Reserve Land and Environment Management Program (RLEMP)
- Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management (FAFNLM)
- Self-Governance
We also accept membership applications from First Nations in Alberta who are looking for support in building or starting a Lands Department in their community and those First Nations wishing to enhance their skills and knowledge, and access training, tools, and systems for their lands staff.
TALSAA is a technical and resource support for our members to provide them with the readiness and capacity building components required in all regimes.
Voting members are required to provide a Band Council Resolution (BCR)
Associate Members (Non-Voting Members)
Non-voting membership shall be available only to those individuals, First Nations, corporations, and associations who support the purposes of the Treaty & Aboriginal Land Stewards Association of Alberta (TALSAA) and who have applied and have been accepted by the Board for non-voting membership with TALSAA.
First Nation land managers and Associate Members who are interested in joining TALSAA can contact us by sending an email to: talsaa.ed@nalma.ca. There is no membership fee, and members can participate in as many or as few activities as they like. TALSAA's members come from all parts of Alberta and represent a variety of First Nations.
To learn more about our members please visit the Membership Section.
TALSAA offers presentations to non-members to promote the work we do. To request a presentation, please contact:
Email: talsaa.communications@nalma.ca
Phone: (780) 243-1489
For information about partnership opportunities, please contact us at talsaa.ed@nalma.ca. TALSAA is always interested in working with new partners to promote sustainable development and effective management practices for First Nation lands in Alberta.