Highlights The Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation (EMLI) is committed to working in consultation and co-operation with First Nations and First Nations organizations to modernize the Mineral Tenure Act (MTA). In July 2023, a dedicated MTA Modernization Office was established along with a working group with the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC)…

Highlights The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) is creating processes and technology solutions to track and report on historical road impacts. This provides the opportunity to improve the Province’s relationship with First Nations by increasing transparency and allowing MOTI’s Indigenous relations teams to learn from other negotiations, develop creative solutions, and create a more…

Highlights Over the past year the Ministry of Forests (FOR) has worked on multiple initiatives in consultation and co-operation with First Nations, developing policy, regulations and legislation. The Ministry has successfully developed regulations to support Bill 28 (The Forest Amendment Act, 2021), developed regulations to update the Forest and Range Practices Act, and amended legislation…

Highlights Development of the trilateral collaboration on salmon with the First Nations Fisheries Council (FNFC) and the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) continues and is building on productive discussions. The FNFC is initiating robust engagement with First Nations in B.C. with the intention of providing information about the initiative and having open communication…

Highlights The B.C. First Nations Water Table is a long-term governance body focused on water and watershed issues of shared concern. The water table was established in June 2022 after a year of co-planning among First Nations and the Province. It is comprised of the First Nations water caucus – First Nation delegates from major…

Highlights  2024 marked the third year of the Indigenous climate resilience forum. This year, 349 participants came together to share and learn about various perspectives, initiatives and insights related to Indigenous climate resilience. Over the three-day virtual forum, 143 B.C. First Nations and 15 Nations outside of B.C. attended the event. In addition, 101 different…

Highlights Collaborative Marine Planning (i.e., Marine Protected Areas Network and Marine Plan Partnership for the Great Bear Sea): This past year, Marine Protected Areas Network (MPAN) partners began the implementation of Marine Protected Areas in the Great Bear Sea. For example, the Province is working with Mamalilikulla First Nation on the implementation of an Indigenous…

Highlights The negotiation of section 7 agreements under the Declaration Act demonstrates a structured and intentional approach towards reconciliation. Whether joint or consent-based, agreements under section 7 of the Declaration Act help address the legacy of colonialism by allowing the Province to work together with Indigenous Peoples on decisions that affect them. Legislative amendments are…

Highlights The Declaration Act Secretariat was established in 2022 as a central agency within government that guides and assists the Province to ensure provincial laws align with the UN Declaration and are developed in consultation and co-operation with Indigenous Peoples, as set out in section 3 of the Declaration Act. Learn more about the Secretariat’s…

Highlights On April 21, 2022, the Directives on Civil Litigation involving Indigenous Peoples were published. The core objectives of the directives are to prioritize and promote resolution, innovation and negotiated settlement, and to reduce the potential for litigation involving Indigenous Peoples. When matters do result in litigation, these directives instruct counsel to engage honourably and…