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.