This protocol is the first of its kind in Canada and will provide an important foundation when determining how Kaska Traditional Knowledge will be integrated into the planning, construction and operation of the Alaska Highway Pipeline Project in the future.

"Traditional Knowledge is a rapidly changing area and First Nations are concerned about how project developers gather and use this confidential and sometimes sensitive information. We're proud of our collaboration with the Kaska and this signing is a big step toward completing the final Participation Agreement for the project," says Tony Palmer, vice-president, Alaska Business Development.

The Participation Agreement will set out specific obligations and benefits for both TransCanada and the Kaska once the Alaska Highway Pipeline Project moves forward.

The Kaska Nation includes five First Nations in the southeast Yukon and northern British Columbia. Their traditional territory covers about 25 per cent of theYukon, adjacent areas of the Northwest Territories and about 10 per cent of British Columbia. The Kaska land claims are part of the first comprehensive claim accepted by Canada under its 1973 land claims policy.

What is traditional knowledge?

There isn't one, agreed-upon definition of Traditional Knowledge. In general, it's described as the knowledge passed from generation to generation through oral or written traditions or both. In general terms, "Traditional Knowledge" refers to historic knowledge held by Aboriginal Peoples about the creation, nature and use of their environment and the relationship between the environment and human kind.

In the case of the Kaska Nation, the protocol ensures Elders will have a role in decision making related to the gathering, use and management of Traditional Knowledge; ownership rights over their Traditional Knowledge, including intellectual property rights; preservation of Kaska sacred sites; and the assurance that their consent must be obtained prior to accessing their Traditional Knowledge.

Our relationship with the Kaska has spanned more than 25 years but for the past four years, we've been in more formal negotiations. Many of the individuals in this photo taken at the Cooperation Agreement signing on November 9, 2001 are still involved with the negotiations today. Discussions about the Cooperation Agreement began in 2000, followed by an Agreement in Principle being struck in January 2004, and now the Traditional Knowledge protocol. The Participation Agreement is expected to be finalized by the end of 2005.