As we step into a brand-new year, we want to take a moment to thank you all for being an essential part of our organization. Your involvement, dedication and support are what continue to make OALA a place of connection, growth, and shared purpose.

Looking ahead, we're excited about what's to come. This year offers new opportunities to learn, grow, and strengthen the bonds that bring us together. We look forward to building on our successes, exploring new ideas, and continuing our work side by side with you.

Miigwech / Niá:wen!​

In this newsletter you will find:

• Exciting OALA Announcements
• January Virtual Events
• Upcoming NALMA Training Sessions
• Funding Opportunities and More!

OALA Updates

Amy Smart

OALA Registration Clerk

Follow Us to Keep Up!

Follow the Ontario Aboriginal Lands Association on Facebook and LinkedIn to keep up with training and networking opportunities, updates, and more from OALA!

Virtual Sessions

To keep up with future virtual and in-person training sessions, visit the Events page on our website.

Webinars and Lunch & Learn sessions are typically recorded and posted on the Members Portal. If you require access to the Members Portal please contact Ashley at communications@oala-on.ca.

In-Person Events

This training provides a user-friendly introduction to real estate appraisals (appraisals) and their application in First Nation activities occurring on and off reserve lands.

Registration opens Tuesday, January 27, 2026. OALA will accept 2 participants per First Nation.

For more information, please contact Ashley at communications@oala-on.ca.

NALMA Training Opportunities

Practical Application of

Land Surveys

Date: February 10 - 12, 2026

Location: Vancouver, BC

Introduction to

Land Use Planning

Dates: February 24 - 26, 2026

Location: Vancouver, BC

To keep up with future training opportunities and updates from NALMA, visit nalma.ca/training-events.

Funding Opportunities

Professional Lands Management Certification Call-Out Letter

Applications Now Open: 2026 - 2027 Invasive Phragmites Control Fund

Applications are now open for the 2026/2027 Invasive Phragmites Control Fund. This fund supports local on-the-ground action on Phragmites and aims to amplify and expand control activities into a provincial scale, coordinated Phragmites program.

Eligible organizations are encouraged to review the program guidelines and submit their applications by Friday, January 23, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

For any questions about eligibility or the application process, please contact Jordan Hill, Indigenous Partners & Programs Coordinator, Invasive Species Centre at  jhill@invasivespeciescentre.ca or the Invasive Species Centre Grants Team at grants@invasivespeciescentre.ca.

2026 - 2027 Land Use Planning

Funding Initiative

NALMA’s 2026-27 Land Use Planning Funding Initiative call for proposals is now open.

There are three separate funding categories you can apply for: 

• Category 1: Pre-Planning – Background Report 
• Category 2: Land Use Plan Development, Implementation and Monitoring 
• Category 3: Updating an Existing Land Use Plan 

The 2026-2027 LUP Funding Initiative call out will close on Friday, February 6, 2026 at 5PM EST.

Please reach out to NALMA's Land Use Planning (LUP) Unit if you have any questions: 

Alexander Marques

LUP Program Specialist

705-741-6941

amarques@nalma.ca

Krista Knott

LUP Program Administrative Support

705-933-4579

kknott@nalma.ca

Philip Beaver

LUP Funding Officer

705-875-1024

pbeaver@nalma.ca

Job Board

More career opportunities can be found at oala-on.ca/careers. If your First Nation Lands Department would like to advertise on our job board, please send job postings to Ashley at communications@oala-on.ca.

Alderville First Nation

Lands & Estates Compliance Lead

NALMA Financial Comptroller

Resources

OALA's Quick Reference Guide to Land Transactions

This guide was created to assist First Nation staff to manage the forms and processes required to complete land management transactions, while outlining best practice processes, defining the steps, and explaining why certain forms are used and how.

Member Portal

In OALA’s member login portal, you will find:

Documents: (a library, sorted by folder topics for ease of use, which will include templates, webinars, and other resources, that have been created or curated by OALA staff, or shared by other OALA members)

Lunch & Learns and Webinars: (all OALA webinars that have been delivered since 2020 are available here, including Handouts, PowerPoint Presentations, and Video Recordings)

To access these sections, click on “Members Only” at the top right-hand corner and a drop down menu will appear.

Contact

ONTARIO ABORIGINAL LANDS ASSOCIATION | www.oala-on.ca