When the idea to create the Haudenosaunee Development Institute (HDI) was first agreed upon in the mid-2000s, it was quickly determined that such an entity would need two things: one, a clear mandate, and two, a set of written principles by which to carry it out. By the time HDI was officially created through the authority of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council (HCCC) and began operations in 2007, our organization had both. 

Our mandate was to oversee and regulate all land development within Haudenosaunee territory on behalf of the larger Haudenosaunee Nation, keeping its best interests firmly in mind. The language is simple enough, but its meaning and scope are incredibly important. 

The protocol by which we would execute our mandate, which was established in 2006, immediately prior to HDI’s official launch, was a bit more complex, and necessarily so. A document was produced to make sure all development of Haudenosaunee land followed strict environmental standards and respected Haudenosaunee cultural values, such as the protection of sacred sites and the preservation of artifacts discovered during construction. It was titled the Haudenosaunee Development Protocol, and it remains the indispensable framework that governs our activities.

The specific protocols that pertain to granting permission to develop on Haudenosaunee land are as follows:

• Development on Haudenosaunee land requires approval from the Haudenosaunee Development Institute, which will be granted if the project meets stringent environmental standards, follows the necessary agreements and rules, and aligns with HDI’s policies.

• To apply for permission, potential developers must submit a detailed plan showing the area they intend to develop and the development type. The plan must also outline the uses of the proposed structure(s), as well as specify timelines, grades, land title details, drainage plans, and information on any fill.
  
  
• Permission can be revoked if the stated conditions are not adequately met. At that point, the developer will be notified and allowed to try to explain why permission should not be cancelled. 

• Permission lasts up to 24 months and can be extended at HDI’s discretion.
  
  
• HDI sets and updates environmental standards, consulting with the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council and an Environmental Review Commission as needed.

The purpose of each of these specifications is to guarantee that all development projects conform to Haudenosaunee values and respect Indigenous rights. Each rule was conceived with the free, prior, and informed consent of the Haudenosaunee Nation as a top priority, alongside the protection of the environment and the preservation of Haudenosaunee cultural traditions.

Since HDI’s inception, the Institute and the Haudenosaunee Development Protocol were meant to function as two sides of the same coin, with the former outlining the principles for land development and the latter enforcing them. 

In the nearly two decades since, we have not deviated from this tried and tested formula, and HDI has posted many victories because of that. Potentially harmful endeavours, such as the dredging of Chedoke Creek and Enbridge’s Hamilton Reinforcement Project have been either halted or have had their legality challenged due to environmental concerns and the violation of treaty rights, respectively. On the other side of things, many other projects have gone through the proper consultation process with HDI before being built and have gone on to become a success, benefitting the Haudenosaunee Nation, its communities, and its people. 

As we move forward, HDI will continue to enforce the Haudenosaunee Development Protocol, keeping a watchful eye on all future land development projects to make sure they abide by our bedrock principles of respect, sustainability, and cultural preservation. This vigilance and ongoing commitment to upholding the Protocol is absolutely crucial to protecting our land and to safeguarding the rights and traditions of the Haudenosaunee Nation for generations to come.