In this newsletter you will find:

• OALA Membership Renewal Reminder
• OALA Year-End Membership Meeting Recap
• April Virtual Events
• Upcoming In-Person Training Opportunities
• OALA 2026 Annual General Meeting Save the Date
• NALMA Updates
• External Training Opportunities
• Funding Opportunities and More!

OALA Updates

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!

OALA Year-End Membership Meeting

Thank you to those who joined us March 30, 2026 for our virtual Year-End Membership Meeting!

Listed below are the topics discussed at this meeting:

• OALA's 2025-2026 Year in Review
• What to Expect in 2026-2027
• OALA Unit Updates
• Member Appreciation Prize Draws

If you are interested in viewing the Membership Meeting, a recording can be found on the Members Portal.

2025-2026 Virtual Events Attendance Prize Winners

2026-2027 Planning Survey Prize Winners

Jenna Bressette, Kettle & Stony Point First Nation - 2026-2027 OALA Membership

Laura Irvine, Temagami First Nation - OALA Prize Pack

Scott Aubichon, Wahta Mohawks - OALA T-Shirt & Hat

Membership Meeting Attendance Prize Winners

Rhea Assinewe, Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation - 2026-2027 OALA Membership

Erin Hayward, Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation - Visa Gift Card

Delainie King, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation - OALA Prize Pack

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

NALMA Updates

How to Register:

• Visit www.nalmapeersite.ca
• Scroll down to the Register section on the homepage
• Complete the registration form.
• You will receive a confirmation email with a request to validate your email through a link.

Please note:

• Registration approval is based on NALMA membership
• Registrations are manually confirmed by NALMA
• NALMA's Peersite Forum is located on the main page after login is completed
• This Forum also houses NALMA's GIS Forum

Once your membership is verified, you will receive confirmation from NALMA through email and can log in using the URL: www.nalmapeersite.ca.

If you experience any issues during registration or have questions, please contact cbourke@nalma.ca.

External Training Opportunities

Green Communities Canada Opportunity

On April 23, in collaboration with the Centre d'écologie urbaine, Green Communities Canada will be launching Leading Living Cities: Embedding Equity in Green Infrastructure Projects through Planning, Design and Implementation. This free online workshop series will help local governments and ENGO partners move from theory to action, by applying equitable approaches to planning, design and implementation of a green infrastructure project. The program runs monthly from April to December 2026, consisting of 90-minute online group sessions. Participants will be trained on using environmental and social vulnerability data to develop a list of priority neighbourhoods and green infrastructure sites for their community, then develop an engagement strategy for co-designing a green infrastructure project with community members. Session content can also be focused on ecological stewardship or greening initiatives for urban community members living in nearby municipalities. Session topics include:

• Introduction and equity basics for green infrastructure planning
• Mapping out inequalities and vulnerabilities
• Advancing reconciliation through green infrastructure (designed for municipal governments and ENGOs - session is optional for Indigenous communities)
• Advancing green infrastructure while avoiding green gentrification
• Community participation in green infrastructure planning
• Community participation in green infrastructure design
• Planning the next steps

To fully benefit from the training program and planned activities, we're encouraging participants to sign up in groups of two or more per community. These teams can be formed by local government staff, or in combination with community partners.

Click here for full program details, including the registration link. Applications are accepted until April 23. For any questions, please contact Miriam Ponette at mponette@greencommunitiescanada.org.

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.

Resources

Click here to download the handout from this session.

Each month, we are shining a spotlight on a past OALA virtual session selected to speak directly to the current needs and questions of our members.

Recently, we have heard from members in the process of creating new policies.

OALA Webinar: Policy 101

January 2026

In this session, we were joined by Ian Gilmour, Volunteer Advisor and Cora Bunn, Senior Project Officer at Catalyste+ who introduced OALA Members to the foundations of policy development through a practical case study on drafting, implementing, and monitoring a Land Transaction Request Policy and Procedure.

Looking for another session?

Find more Lunch & Learn and Webinar recordings and resources on the Member Portal.

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