BC First Nations Energy Action Plan PDF Version

BC First Nations Energy Action Plan plain text word document (8.5 x 11)

In spring-summer 2006, the members of the First Nations Summit, Union of BC Indian Chiefs, and the BC Assembly of First Nations passed resolutions calling on the First Nations Leadership Council to host a province-wide First Nations Energy Summit to develop a First Nations Energy Action Plan.

In spring of 2007, the First Nations Energy Summit became a reality and was held April 2-4, 2007 at the Chief Joe Mathias Centre, Squamish First Nation Territory. The Summit was co-hosted by the First Nation Leadership Council and the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council and was attended by over 200 people including Chiefs and other First Nation delegates, government, industry, labour and NGO representatives.

The first day and a half of the First Nations Energy Summit focused on information-sharing through a series of dynamic presentations and discussion on all aspects of energy development in British Columbia including oil and gas (as well as offshore), coal bed methane, hydro-electric power, including independent power producers; and alternative and other renewable energy options as well as regulatory and labour force issues. Based on these discussions, First Nation delegates spent the remainder of the conference developing an action plan. This resulting BC First Nations Energy Action Plan was presented to the member organizations of the First Nations Leadership Council for review and support.

The Province of British Columbia developed the BC Energy Plan in February 2007. Although there was minimal input from First Nations, we seek to work collaboratively with the Province to ensure the BC Energy Plan reflects and responds to First Nations’ issues and expectations and to identify opportunities to address issues collaboratively in the spirit of the New Relationship and Transformative Change Accord.

Vision

We are the original Peoples of this land. We were given responsibility for our territories, the lands, resources, waters and air by the Creator to take care of for our children, our grandchildren, and many generations yet to come. Our ancestors passed to us their teachings and practices that reflect the traditional values of respect for the natural world and for each other. We have an immediate responsibility, in our time, to pass these teachings and practices to our children.

We carry the sacred responsibility to protect the health and well-being of our Nations, people and communities; our culture and languages; and, our lands, waters and resources. We have inherent authorities and jurisdiction, and will fully exercise our Aboriginal title and rights, and treaty rights, to achieve our political, cultural, social and economic aspirations.

As First Nations, we will build a better future for our children by working together, respecting and strengthening the honour and trust among our Nations and ensuring that no First Nation is left behind.

Stewardship of our lands and resources and the acceptance of energy development in our territories will be based on our traditional values, sustainability, the potential to enhance the common good of our communities and the protection of our environment.

Our political and economic relationships with the Crown, industry and other third parties with regard to energy development will be grounded in respect, recognition and accommodation of our constitutionally recognized and affirmed Aboriginal title and rights, and treaty rights.
 

Principles

• Respect, Recognition, and Accommodation: Aboriginal title and rights, and treaty rights, must be respected and recognized and there must be processes for shared decision-making, resource sharing, consultation and accommodation, and other Government-to-Government arrangements on land and marine use planning.
• Decision-making: Crown and third parties must honor the international standard of free, prior and informed consent. First Nations mutually recognize inter-tribal differences, including individual First Nations autonomy and decision making processes.
• Honour of the Crown: The Crown has a legal duty to uphold the honor of the Crown when dealing with First Nations. The Crown must meaningfully consult with, and accommodate, First Nations regarding potential impacts to Aboriginal title and rights, and treaty rights, as part of the process of reconciliation.
• Accountable leadership: First Nations leadership is accountable to community members.
• Ecosystem Stewardship Plans/Land and Marine Use Plans: First Nations Ecosystem Stewardship Plans/Land and Marine Use Plans are a pre-requisite to any and all stages of energy developments, from exploration through to reclamation.
• Sustainability: “Take care of the land and the land will take care of you.” Energy development must be conducted in an environmentally, socially, culturally and economically sustainable manner. Sustainability and sustainable development are about ensuring a good quality of life for everyone, now and for future generations and is the legacy we leave to those who follow us. Sustainability is a complex mix of interdependent environmental, social and economic issues. The commonly used Bruntdland definition of “sustainable development” is: “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
• Cultural diversity: First Nations are culturally diverse and this must be respected, recognized and supported through adaptive approaches and processes with respect to First Nations involvement in energy initiatives.
• Innovation: There must be new approaches and means of conducting business and responding to energy development and climate change in a responsible and successful manner.
• Economic Opportunities: As the original occupants and inherent stewards of the lands, First Nations must share in economic benefits from energy development in all its stages.
• Research/Information Sharing: All relevant studies and information must be shared with First Nations in a timely and effective manner. First Nations must be involved in determining which studies need to be conducted, the development of the terms of reference for these studies, decision-making for the researchers and reviewers, as well as approval of the final product.
• Traditional knowledge: Traditional knowledge of, and research conducted by, First Nations will be respected. First Nations will direct the use and management of traditional knowledge, including identifying when traditional knowledge is confidential. Where requested by the First Nation, the Crown and industry will enter into a protocol setting out the appropriate rights to ownership, management and control of First Nation traditional knowledge.
• Food Sovereignty: First Nations are connected to their ancestral homelands and resources and the continued sustainability of our cultural practices on our lands is a prerequisite to our survival as indigenous peoples.
• Education and Training: Education, training and capacity building are priorities for First Nations.
• Capacity: To achieve informed decision-making, First Nations must have the human capacity and financial resources to engage in consultations and negotiations with respect to energy development.