In this newsletter you will find:

• OALA Membership Renewal Reminder
• May Virtual Events
• Upcoming In-Person Training Opportunities
• OALA 2026 Annual General Meeting Save the Date
• NALMA's 2026-2027 Specialized Training Schedule
• Funding Opportunities and More!

OALA Updates

OALA 2026-2027 Membership Packages

OALA 2026-2027 Membership Packages and Invoices were emailed to all Primary contacts via Quickbooks April 16, 2026. Please note, OALA's Annual Membership Fee has increased to $400.00.

Please ensure to complete the Organization Staff portion (Primary and Secondary contacts) of the Membership Package to keep our mailing lists accurate.

We look forward to another year of learning together and connecting dedicated and like-minded individuals in the Lands department.

Thank you/Miigwech/Niá:wen!

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

Environmental Monitoring Training Program

This training will introduce participants to environmental monitoring through three online training sessions and a 3-day in-person workshop. The training will focus on practical, field-based environmental monitoring approaches with the goal of building capacity for environmental stewardship and governance within communities. Throughout the training, participants will work towards envisioning what an environmental monitoring program could look like for their community, and gain an understanding of what would be needed to implement it. 

Virtual Sessions:

Tuesday, May 19, 2026 - 10:00am - 12:00pm

Tuesday, May 26, 2026 - 10:00am - 12:00pm

Tuesday, June 9, 2026 - 10:00am - 12:00pm

In-Person Session: July 14 - 16, 2026 (3 days)

Location: Chippewas of Rama First Nation, Ontario

Registration Deadline: Thursday, May 14, 2026

Sponsorship is available to OALA members in the amount of $2,000.00 per First Nation.

Introduction to GIS Toolkit Training

This Introduction to GIS training gives participants a practical foundation in working with data in ArcGIS. Participants will learn GIS fundamentals and explore how spatial data can be visualized and analyzed to support decision‑making on First Nation lands. Throughout the training, participants will practice essential skills such as querying data, selecting features by attribute and location, and performing basic spatial analysis.

By the end of the training, participants will be able to confidently work with spatial datasets, navigate ArcGIS with ease, and create clear, effective maps that support First Nation lands‑related projects. Ideal for newcomers to GIS and for lands offices building their GIS capacity for land use planning, environmental monitoring, and natural resource management.

Date: June 16 - 18, 2026 (2.5 days)

Location: Waterloo, ON

Registration Deadline: Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Sponsorship is available to OALA Members in the amount of $2,000.00 per First Nation.

Save the Date! OALA Annual General Meeting

Connect with other like-minded individuals in Land Management. Enjoy keynote speakers, helpful workshops and exciting tradeshow and artisan vendors!

Date: September 22 - 24, 2026 (2.5 days)

Location: Thunder Bay, ON

Sponsorship is available to OALA Members in the amount of $2,000.00 per First Nation.

Registration opens June 1, 2026.

NALMA Updates

NALMA 2026-2027 Specialized Training Schedule

The National Aboriginal Lands Managers Association's (NALMA) 2026-2027 Specializes Training Schedule is now available.

Please find the updated training schedule below or visit nalma.ca/training-and-events/.

Funding Opportunities

Estates Management Funding

The Estates Management Funding Program provides funding to support capacity-building for estate planning and administration for First Nations.

Applications for funding in the 2026-2027 fiscal year must be submitted by May 15, 2026.

External Updates

First Nation Names Initiative

Four Rivers Environmental Services Group has created a reference table containing Ontario's First Nation's preferred names, along with legal reserve names, alternative names, phonetic pronunciation, population stats, etc. and are looking for feedback directly from communities.

Click here to view the table.

If you noticed corrections to be made to the table, please use the link below to complete the survey to note your corrections. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!

Resources

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.

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.

Contact

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