Post on 28-May-2019
Inside this issue:
Collaboration
Working Group
Update
2-3
Stewardship
Working Group
Update
4-5
Socio-cultural
Working Group
Update
6-7
New CSTC Staff 8
Forestry Table
Update
8
Community
Engagement
Calendar
insert
Quick Facts -
Terms & Definitions
insert
Issue 4 Fall 2016 Carrier Sekani Tribal Council Implementation Progress
On April 2, 2015 the Carrier Sekani First Nations
signed two landmark agreements with the Province.
These Agreements identify a process for us to jointly
address outstanding issues regarding our rights and
title, and resources that have not adequately been dealt
with until now. We celebrate the hard won progress we
have made in these past few years, building
frameworks for engagement and collaborative
decision-making, while staying strong on our priorities
to protect the environment and our Indigenous rights
and freedoms. The changed political climate, initiated
by the Tsilhq’otin Decision, has shifted the
relationship between government, industry and First
Nations and has created, in part, the opportunity for
these agreements and more.
As we move forward we will continue talking and
listening to communities, to both inform the people
and provide direction to us, so we may continue building a vision and strengthened voice for
our Nation. Together we will continue to tackle and overcome the complex and persistent
challenges by growing our expertise and knowledge. Our leaders have become adept at
balancing the concerns and issues of their communities with the emerging realities of the
political climate in BC and the increasing interests in our territories. Communication and
collaboration are key to our story of success.
New opportunities are beginning to flow into the region and our communities as a result of our
Agreements. The province has committed funding toward our efforts to grow our economy,
strengthen our language and culture and we will use their support to continue building a strong
independent Nation. Our journey continues with renewed resolve and energy.
Terry Teegee
Newsletter
Collaboration Agreements
Update
Tribal Chief Terry Teegee
Newsletter Page 2
It has been a busy second year as we build a clearer picture of what reconciliation
and a collaborative process with the BC government looks like. Progress has been
more challenging than expected, but it has been good in many ways.
Major Projects
Kemess Underground Mine, Blackwater Transmission Line, Groundhog Atrum
Coal, the Timber Supply Review (TSR) and the Forest Stewardship Plans (FSP) all
require different levels of engagement with BC in addressing CSFNs concerns.
Some projects are addressed at the community level only, for example Kemess,
Blackwater and Groundhog Atrum Coal.
For Blackwater, this process of working with BC has allowed the band to address
many of their environmental concerns directly with the proponent and the
government.
Other projects are being addressed at the territorial level, like water standards, the
Timber Supply Review, and Forest Stewardship Planning.
Cheryl Parsons, Eleanor Nooski, Chief Larry Nooski and Denis Nooski
Carrier Sekani
Tribal Council 200-1460 Sixth Avenue
Prince George, BC
V2L 3N2
Phone: 250-562-6279
Fax: 250-562-8206
CSTC Webpage with Agreements, calendar of events, & working group updates www.carriersekani.ca/programs-projects/
collaboration-agreements/
Collaboration Working Group (CWG)
CWG Summary
Develop a communication
strategy.
Evaluate collaborative
decision-making used to-
date for the TSR, Kemess,
Blackwater, Atrum and
FSP projects (a second
evaluation will take place
after decisions have been
made).
Define the term
‘governance’ and
evaluate how best to
engage CSFN governance
in decision-making and
stewardship initiatives.
Research and review
different decision making
models – pros and cons to
their implementation
(including how these may
interact with BC
legislation and existing
enabling mechanisms).
Consider, with SWG
representatives, how
strategic stewardship
direction on the land links
to decision-making
models.
Joint meeting in
November with all
working groups with a
presentation on the
evaluation of CDM
implementation and a
presentation of findings of
the annual review done
by all the working groups
in April and
recommendations on
improvements including
recommendations on
communications (to be
updated by co-chairs).
Issue 4 Fall 2016
Page 3
Forestry
CSFNs now have the ability to engage with BC on the Timber Supply Review
(assessing the amount of trees available to harvest) and the Forest Stewardship Plans
(ensuring that forest companies meet government policies on management issues for
plants, animals, water, soil, cultural sites, archaeology, visual quality, etc.).
For the first time ever the CSFNs are providing their recommendations for
forest harvest amounts to the Chief Forester for BC, who approves these plans.
Shared Understanding
Working with the BC government and industry has taught us that we need to develop
terms and definitions that we all understand – like what does the term “Governance”
mean, when we say it and when BC says it. This will help BC understand what exactly
that means for the CSFNs – together we will develop these shared definitions.
BC has a whole set of ideas included in governance that the CSFNs do not
necessarily think of, like road maintenance or liability management.
We have to clearly define what we are talking about so that we know when we
reach decisions with BC and others that we are all talking about the same thing.
Collaborative Decision Making
As we move towards reconciliation with British Columbia, we are shaping what
exactly “Collaborative Decision-Making” means, and identifying what kind of
legislative changes need to be put in place to have true collaboration in the territory.
We will be assisting in drafting models for our bands, community members, and
leaders to consider. It is not a quick process but it is one that we are dedicated to
working out.
Stewardship
We will assist drafting the stewardship guidelines for the CSFNs territory by
investigating other Nation’s stewardship plans which will help guide us in this work.
Communications
With all this going on, and more, it has been challenging keeping our communities
informed and updated; this problem is occurring in all the communities. A lot of
information has been created and a lot of engagement on many issues has occurred.
A communications coordinator has been hired who will be working to improve
community updates and get community input on important decisions.
Communications is a high priority issue as the success of this engagement is
dependent upon community participation.
Collaboration Working Group (CWG)
Our group continues to work towards the achievement of the tasks that were laid out within the Environmental Socio-Cultural Initiatives Agreement. Sub-initiative groups, which include the Environmental Stewardship Initiative Project, Timber Supply Review, and Liaison-Monitoring are meeting frequently.
The Stewardship Working Group’s mandate and work plan were created from the extensive amounts of community engagement that was undertaken during the natural gas pipeline Environmental Assessment process. There are two primary initiatives underway:
The Natural Resource Sector Liaison Program has created two positions that will begin
directly engaging the CSFNs into working within the environmental compliance agendas of agencies including the OGC, EAO, and FLNRO. This is a key step in the CSFNs developing environmental monitoring and compliance expertise.
The ESI Demonstration project will result in the creation of a territorial monitoring tool
that supports consultation, and can incorporate CSFN’s Stewardship interests and therefore inform CSFN land and resource use planning.
Environmental Compliance Monitoring
BC Oil & Gas Commission (OGC) has provided $250K for two positions through a “CSFN Liaison Monitoring Agreement” for two years. Juanita Heron and Catherine Lessard have been hired to fill those positions.
Juanita works from Stellat’en on behalf of Saik’uz, Stellat’en, Nadleh and Burns Lake.
Catherine works from Nak’azdli on behalf of Nak’azdli, Tl’azt’en and Takla Lake.
Their work involves extensive amounts of training and on-the-job experience with BC OGC, BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) and BC Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations’ (FLNRO) environmental compliance monitoring personnel, engaging with the communities they’re working on behalf of, and liaising between the FLNRO agencies and the communities.
Additional funds are being sought to provide for 5 more positions.
Cumulative Effects Assessment (CEA)
The CSFNs and BC have committed to the completion of the CSFN’s Cumulative Effects Assessment Project through BC’s LNG Environmental Stewardship Initiative (ESI).
GIS-based tool being developed that can suitably incorporate (on an ongoing basis)
cumulative environmental effects at the territory-level into collaborative land and
resource management decision-making – referred to as a Stewardship Framework.
Newsletter Page 4
Stewardship Working Group (SWG)
Newsletter
Highlights
October 2016 marks the half way point in the Implementation Process of the Collaboration
Agreements.
We are experiencing
positive changes in the relationship with the BC
Government.
Communications is now
gearing up and we will see more engagement with communities and more intensive social media and
website updates.
In this Photo (Left to right)
Dave Radies, Takla
Dean Zimmer
Leanne Elliott, FLNRO
Renel Mitchell, Tl’zat’en
Shelley Marshall
Kirby Johnnie, CSTC
Jaime Sanchez, Nadleh Whut’en
Brian Toth, CSTC
Jackie Brown, FLNRO
Kate Dillon, MARR
Jonathan Shearer, Stellat’en
Ryan Tibetts, BLB
Yvonne Parkinson, FLNRO
Bev Ketlo, Nadleh
Whut’en
Carrier Sekani Tribal Council Implementation Progress Issue 4 Fall 2016
Page 5
SWG Summary
Juanita Heron and
Catherine Lessard have been hired to fill two positions through a “CSFN Liaison
Monitoring Agreement.”
Cumulative Effects Assessment Project developing a GIS-
based tool.
Developing collaborative management approaches in areas such as the Environmental Stewardship Initiative,
water specific sub-group, Timber Supply Review, Forest
Stewardship Plan.
CSFN’s values, Traditional Knowledge and other priorities to be reflected in collaborative
management initiatives.
Water specific sub-group has been
initiated.
Timber Supply Sub-group developing an outline of a document for each CSFN to create understanding of the potential implications of several rates of cut at
the Territorial level.
Two primary initiatives underway: The Natural
Resource Sector Liaison Program has created two positions (key step in the CSFNs developing environmental monitoring and compliance expertise) and creation of a territorial monitoring
tool.
Created a 1 year work plan.
Substantial component requiring engagement with CSFN communities.
Collaborative Management
Developing collaborative management approaches, informed by CSFN’s values, Traditional Knowledge and other priorities.
Several of the initiatives undertaken through the Environmental Stewardship Initiative
(ESI) work plan fall into this category (moose habitat capability and supply modeling, community-based fish and wildlife harvest monitoring, lake survey work, scoping of CSFN culturally appropriate indicators); and other ESI projects will inform/guide objectives (i.e. access planning, recommendations for management of priority species).
A water subgroup has been initiated. A written summary of recommendations has been
submitted to the Collaboration Working Group, and draft objectives statements and a terms of reference for the Water Table have been developed.
Timber Supply Review subgroup provided an analysis for the PG timber supply area
and is largely a modeling exercise. Work continues to incorporate modeling alternatives and sensitivities that consider key CSFN interests (moose, caribou, grizzly, forest biodiversity and landscape disturbance indicators); analyses incorporating the CSFN’s values are largely complete and the SWG subgroup are developing an outline of the document for each CSFN to create understanding of the potential implications of several rates of cut at the Territorial level. This work is under extremely limited timelines, but is very important.
Forest Stewardship Plan (FSP) – Interim Collaborative Consultation Process. FSPs are a
legislated requirement and outline a fibre tenure holder’s plans for how they will meet various objectives while harvesting their allocation of wood. These are key documents within the Consultation cycle that provide the tenure holder with government endorsement to proceed (including meeting the Consultation requirements). The objective is to make the Consultation process surrounding FSPs more effective for the purposes of the CSFN’s interests. A draft work plan has been developed. Forestry-related discussions are occurring at multiple levels within G2G tables (some of which are focused on developing recommendations that will intersect with Forest Range Practices Act). BC has provided opportunities for CSFN representatives to engage in the FSP training they provide for industry representatives.
Stewardship Working Group (SWG)
Newsletter Page 6
Socio-Cultural Working Group (SCWG)
As First Nations we
know that the social
and cultural impacts
of colonization have
been significant for
our communities.
Many argue that the
whole point of
colonialism has been
to control and exploit
the natural resources
in our traditional
territories.
Our working group
has completed the
Adaptive
Management Plan,
the Socio-Cultural
Strategy, and the
Socio-Economic
Effects Management
Plans to address
social and cultural
issues in our
communities. All this
work has been
developed with input
from community
representatives and
through community
consultation.
Our leadership
decided to take action to counter negative socio-cultural impacts by creating
education programs for culture, language, and trade skills in our communities. Some
of these are starting now. Language revitalization programs and culture camps are
now being offered to community members. The skills and training programs are still
being finalized and will be underway in early 2017. If these projects are successful the
funding has great potential to continue.
Collaboration
Agreements
History
Highlights
Agreements Announced
Nov. 19, 2015 news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2015ARR0048-
001926
First meetings in May,
2016
Since June 2016:
Timber Supply Review
Table formed.
Forestry Table formed
Forestry Stewardship
Table formed.
Major Projects Table
formed.
Socio-Cultural Working Group Adaptive
Anita Williams
Issue 4 Fall 2016
Page 7
Pius Charlie
The CSFN’s are doing very well by
staying together and working through
everything with the Carrier Sekani
Tribal Council. Thankfully the Socio-
Cultural Working Group can see this
work come full-circle and carry out the
Language and Culture projects as well
as the educational projects in our own
communities. These are the exact tools
we need to strengthen our people and
positively impact social and cultural
matters for the Carrier Sekani First
Nations.
There are a series of questions that the
Socio-Cultural working group are
helping the Carrier Sekani First
Nations answer:
What is needed to engage with the
traditional governance holders in
your community?
Who speaks for the keyoh/
traditional governance holders in a
keyoh/trapline territory?
Where are the keyoh/traplines?
Do communities have maps of
these keyohs/traplines and if so,
who do we contact to obtain
copies?
How would you define traditional
governance for the south and the
north? Is it the same or different;
how?
How could the traditional
governance engage with the elected
governance?
If you would like to discuss these
questions further please contact your
socio-cultural representative.
Carrier Sekani
Tribal Council
Activity
Highlights
Coordination and
facilitation meetings
between all bands.
Securing additional funds
for projects.
Supporting communities in
project implementation.
Communication meetings coming soon to your
community!
Newsletter Page 8
New CSTC Staff Communications Coordinator
Annette Schroeter
Waachi’ye. I am
Nishinaabe and a
member of the Muskrat
Dam First Nation in
northern Ontario. I’ve
recently returned to
Prince George after
living and working for
the past six years in
Ontario.
Education & Language Liaison
Regina Thomas
Hadi. My grandparents
are the late Morris
& Dr. Sophie Thomas
of Sai’kuz, and I belong
to the Frog clan. I am
happy to be working
for our people. Its
good to be back in the
homelands.
Following the natural gas discussions last year, the Chiefs identified the following six priority areas for
negotiation: *Forest Stewardship * Forest Revenue Sharing * Historic Compensation for
Forestry * Forest Tenures and Licenses * Carbon Projects * Shared Decision Making*
Discussions have been long, but there has been progress in a shared understanding of the Chiefs’
goals. Stewardship requires a greater degree of engagement with the communities in order to set the
goals and standards for the protection and management of the territory. This will be a longer term
process but will set the standards for land use and conservation for generations to come.
The Chiefs are negotiating for 50% of the shared revenue on the net amount of harvested timber in
the territory; this will likely be an incremental increase towards 50% over several years. The Chiefs
have also identified that historic compensation will be based on stumpage rates back to 1982, when
the CSTC was formed and the Nation declared title and rights to their territory.
As part of the negotiations, additional allocations of tenure and forestry licenses are also being sought,
so the CSFNs can be come significant participants in the regional forest industry.
Given the loss of forest habitat in the southern bands – Saik’uz, Nadleh, Stellat’en, and Burns Lake
Band – the CSFNs are seeking to establish carbon agreements with BC. This will create opportunities
for revenue from the forest regrowth and rehabilitation in the areas where the forests were destroyed
by the Mountain Pine Beetle and salvage cutting.
Finally, the negotiations are setting the goals for Shared Decision Making between the CSFNs and BC
in the territory, for land and resource management. This too will require a lot of engagement with
communities and this will be a long-term process to ensure that the Nation’s territory is protected.
Forestry Table Forestry Table Summary Six priority negotiation
areas: forest stewardship,
historic compensation for
forestry, forest revenue
sharing, forest tenures
and licenses and carbon
projects and shared
decision-making.
Negotiating for 50%
shared revenue.
stumpage revenue rates
back to 1982 when CSTC
was formed and title and
rights were declared.
Seeking additional
allocations of tenure and
forestry licenses.
Seeking to establish
carbon agreements.