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 watersheds across B.C. – and several provincial ministries. The water caucus and the water table have been important spaces for co-developing the Watershed Security Strategy, advancing reconciliation, implementing the Declaration Act and addressing watershed security issues of shared concern. As part of the creation of the water table, First Nations delegates have forged structures and processes for working together, building on existing First Nations-led strategies and initiatives.
As the Watershed Security Strategy reaches completion and transition to implementation commences, the work of the water table will also shift its focus to strategy implementation and to water and watershed issues and policy more broadly. The work of the water table is supported by subcommittees (e.g., watershed governance subcommittee). In 2024, the water table will undertake strategic planning to renew its focus. The First Nations Fisheries Council and the Province form a joint secretariat supporting the water table and its subcommittees.
How are we working together?
First Nations in B.C. continue to stress the importance of healthy water and watersheds as foundational to all life and livelihoods. To better protect and conserve B.C.’s watersheds, a ‘whole of watershed approach’ is needed where everything within a watershed is considered – from the water and land to the people, plants and animals – and decisions are made, taking each of these elements into account. To uphold and exercise First Nations’ rights meaningfully, B.C. must recognize First Nations’ rights and responsibilities to watersheds and move towards co-development and equal authority in decision-making to protect these ecologically sensitive systems. A distinctions-based approach forms the basis of consultation and co-operation with First Nations. First Nations and the Province each have goals related to watershed security focused on providing for the current and future generations of B.C.
For watershed-level projects, WLRS is working in partnership with First Nation(s) and co-developing the products (e.g., water sustainability plan, Water Sustainability Act objectives, shared decision-making framework, etc.) together in a manner that reflects both Western and First Nations ways of knowing and legal traditions. Engagement is typically monthly, although for some projects it may be more frequent. The work with the First Nation on each project is unique and is developed together. As an example of this work, the Xwulqw’selu Watershed Planning Agreement was signed by the Province and Cowichan Tribes on May 12, 2023. Cowichan Tribes was subsequently designated by the Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship as the person responsible for developing the Xwulqw’selu (Koksilah) Water Sustainability Plan on December 12, 2023.
For ongoing work on the provincial-scale Watershed Security Strategy, the Province has taken a ‘multiple pathways’ approach to foster early and sustained dialogue with First Nations. The Province continues to work directly with interested First Nations, including Treaty Nations, to establish enduring and collaborative processes that reflect their distinct rights, histories and interests. To-date, outreach has included engagement letters to all First Nations in B.C., meetings, webinars, workshops and an open invitation for engagement and co-development of the strategy in ways that meet the needs of First Nations communities. Work to finalize the strategy continues with continued engagement of a broader set of stakeholders.
Because water crosses watersheds, territories and borders, the Province also seeks to work collaboratively through the BC-First Nations Water Table to jointly define, support, implement, and achieve water and watershed security for all people in B.C. The first priority of the water table has been co-development of the Watershed Security Strategy. The water table is now considering its role in strategy implementation.
Pathways for partnership on strategy implementation between the Province and First Nations, including many historic and Modern Treaty Nations are being built and will support enduring relationships focused on watershed security, stewardship and planning.
Establishing long-term processes to implement the strategy together supports opportunities to meaningfully uphold and exercise First Nations rights and help move towards co-development and equal authority in decision-making. Long-term processes also support the work needed to move towards healthier and more resilient watersheds through the building of strong collaboration and partnership. All First Nations are and will continue to be invited to work with provincial government staff directly in the manner of their choosing. This approach will continue as work under Action 2.07 continues.
Are there challenges?
One of the key challenges is having opportunities to work with all First Nations throughout B.C. Not all First Nations have the capacity and interest to participate at the water table or work with the Province directly (i.e. government-to-government) on strategy development and implementation. Some First Nations have expressed that the Province’s timelines often do not allow for their meaningful participation. Additionally, the priorities and interests of some First Nations do not always align with provincial priorities and interests. As the work to develop and implement the Watershed Security Strategy and Action 2.7 more broadly continues, a distinctions-based approach will continue to be used. The Province will continue to improve its approaches to be responsive to the ways of working together with First Nations.
In terms of resourcing, capacity is limited for both First Nations and the Province. The needs and interests around collaboration on Watershed Security Strategy co-development, implementation and water and watershed issues and policy already exceed existing capacity, and they continue to grow. Limited capacity may be an obstacle in moving ahead on strategy implementation and working with First Nations on policy, planning and governance issues more broadly should the interest and need exceed the available capacity. It is likely that priorities will be established and, through working together with First Nations, will be phased to mirror priorities and correspond to available resourcing.