First Nations Fisheries

You’re invited to attend the Fall 2019 FNFC Assembly!

The Assembly brings together First Nations leaders, community members, and fisheries and natural resources staff from across the province on an annual basis to receive updates on the work of the FNFC and engage in strategic discussions on operational, policy and legislative issues related to fisheries. This year’s event will include participation from both First Nations and government partners.

2019 Assembly Theme:

Amplifying Voices: Strength in Unity for First Nations Fisheries

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REGISTRATION (by October 24, 2019):

Online registration for this event is requested. Please register by Thursday, October 24, 2019 at http://www.createsurvey.com/s/7HJytn/

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ACCOMMODATIONS (by Monday, October 14, 2019):

A block of rooms has been reserved for the nights of November 5 and 6, 2019 at the Harrison Hot Springs Resort at a special rate of $159.00 + TAX per night. If you’re applying for travel subsidy (must apply in advance), please note that max amount covered by travel subsidy is $159 +tax per night.

Rooms are available on a first-come-first-served basis and space is limited, so we recommend booking as early as possible. The group rate expires on Monday, October 14, 2018.

Participants are responsible for booking their own accommodations.

Instructions:

Call the hotel reservation line at 1- 800-663-2266

Press 1 for Room Reservations

Then 2 for Group Reservations

Identify group: First Nations Fisheries Council of BC – GROUP ID: 42N4R9

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TRAVEL SUBSIDIES (by Monday, October 14, 2019):

A limited number of partial travel subsidies will be available to assist First Nations participants who would like to attend the FNFC Annual General Assembly but do not have access to adequate funding. Only one subsidy per organization or community will be available. Funding is limited and requests are approved on a rolling basis, so early application is recommended.

Due to high demand, partial subsidies will be provided (travel costs, mileage and accommodations will be covered; meals, incidentals and other costs will not be reimbursable). Subsidy amounts may vary depending on the number of funding requests received.

Participants who require a subsidy must apply in advance. Please contact the FNFC at info@fnfisheriescouncil.ca to request an online travel subsidy application form. The deadline to submit travel subsidy applications is Monday, October 14, 2018.

If you plan to apply for travel subsidy, please review the FNFC Travel Subsidy Guidelines.

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Thank you, we look forward to seeing you at the Assembly in November!

For more information about the Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance, please visit their website at www.lffa.ca.

For more information about the Fraser River Aboriginal Fisheries Secretariat, please contact Communications Coordinator Allison James at frafs15@gmail.com or visit www.frafs.ca.

This Symposium is hosted by the Assembly of First Nations in Toronto. It will provide an opportunity to update the existing AFN National Water Declaration and to convey to Canada and the world goals, objectives and priorities of First Nations in the post-2021 water future.

To register: https://www.afn.ca/3rd-annual-afn-national-water-symposium/

For more information about the Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance, please visit their website at www.lffa.ca.

TOPIC: Recommendations – Towards a WSA First Nations Engagement Framework (for First Nations only)

To register: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6869186102788637707

In 2018 the BC Ministry of Environment & Climate Change Strategy provided the First Nations Fisheries Council (FNFC) with grant funding to advise BC on an Engagement Framework to guide the development of the remaining Water Sustainability Act (WSA) regulations and policies in accordance with BC’s reconciliation commitments to First Nations. As part of this work, the FNFC organized a series of meetings of a Working Group comprised of leadership and staff from a diversity of First Nations and First Nations organizations from across BC that hold relevant expertise, experience and knowledge related to freshwater governance and management. The recommendations have been endorsed by resolution by the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, BC Assembly of First Nations, and First Nations Summit.

In this webinar, FNFC Water for Fish Project Manager Susi Porter-Bopp will discuss the Working Group recommendations finalized in the May 2019 report “Towards a Water Sustainability Act First Nations Engagement Framework: Working Group Recommendations for Collaborative Development of Regulations and Policies”.

For more information about the Island Marine Aquatic Working Group (IMAWG)  please visit www.imawg.ca or email smorin.imawg@gmail.com.

FNFC has recently signed an Oceans Protection Plan (OPP) Commitment to Action Accord (C2A) in partnership with Transport Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard, and Environment and Climate Change Canada.

In support of the implementation of the OPP through advancing Indigenous partnerships and interests, FNFC will be developing a process to engage South Coast First Nations on three streams:

1. Marine research and science
2. Ship movement and vessel management
3. Emergency preparedness and response

FNFC will be hosting a Tier 1 and 2 introductory launch session to provide more information on this initiative and the development of structures to address First Nations interests within the three streams. An agenda is currently being developed and will be circulated soon, along with a link to register online.

For more information, please contact OPP Manager, Loriena Melnick at Loriena@fnfisheriescouncil.ca.

For more information about the Island Marine Aquatic Working Group (IMAWG)  please visit www.imawg.ca or email smorin.imawg@gmail.com.

For more information about the Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance, please visit their website at www.lffa.ca.

The FNFC will provide support for up to five First Nations across British Columbia to establish environmental flow needs (EFNs) thresholds for fish species in critical streams within their traditional territories. Funds available are $15,000 per First Nations community or organization.

For more information and to apply, please:

• Read this Backgrounder: https://www.fnfisheriescouncil.ca/efn-pilot-backgrounder_first-nations-fisheries-council_nov-2019/

and,

• Fill out this expression of interest survey by December 9th, 2019 at 5pm PT: http://www.createsurvey.com/s/qOcCT2/

Please contact FNFC Water for Fish Project Coordinator Genevieve Layton-Cartier at genevieve@fnfisheriescouncil.ca or 778-379-6470 if you have any questions.

For more information about the Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance, please visit their website at www.lffa.ca.

For more information about the Upper Fraser Fisheries Conservation Alliance, please visit www.upperfraser.ca.

For more information about the Fraser River Aboriginal Fisheries Secretariat, please contact Communications Coordinator Allison James at frafs15@gmail.com or visit www.frafs.ca.

For more information about the Pacific Salmon Commission, please visit www.psc.org.

For more information about the Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance, please visit their website at www.lffa.ca.

For more information about the BC Assembly of First Nations, please visit www.bcafn.ca.

For more information about the Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance, please visit their website at www.lffa.ca.

For more information about the Upper Fraser Fisheries Conservation Alliance, please visit www.upperfraser.ca.

TOPIC: Funding First Nations Freshwater Planning and Governance Projects in BC (for First Nations only)

To register: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6869186102788637707

Genevieve Layton-Cartier, FNFC Water for Fish Project Coordinator, will discuss existing funding opportunities for First Nations freshwater planning and governance projects in BC, particularly focusing on philanthropic funding pots.

The Forum is hosted by the Fraser River Aboriginal Fisheries Secretariat (FRAFS). Please visit www.frafs.ca or contact Communications Coordinator Allison James at frafs15@gmail.com for more information.

For more information please contact Sonora Thompson at 250-202-0037 or visit www.imawg.ca.

Objectives:

• Summary and recommendations for salmon for IMAWG and meeting participants from the Island Marine Aquatic Techncial working group.
• Update on current salmon processes for feedback and direction.
• Preparation for Tier Two and salmon management planning with DFO.
• Fishery and Management Measures Review of 2019 for Chinook, Sockeye, Coho, Chum, Pink and Steelhead
• Update on the 2019 Integrated Fisheries Management Priorities for 2020; Next Steps.
• Direction for IMAWG and meeting participants on the management of salmon for 2020.

For more information please contact Sonora Thompson at 250-202-0037 or visit www.imawg.ca.

For more information about the First Nations Summit, please visit their website at www.fns.bc.ca.

For more information about the Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance, please visit their website at www.lffa.ca.

For more information about the Pacific Salmon Commission, please visit www.psc.org.

Adaptation Canada 2020 is hosted by the Fraser Basin Council in Vancouver. This conference is the confluence of energy and expertise brought by Canadians from different sectors, disciplines and regions of the country. With a rise in global temperatures, we know Canada is already facing critical challenges and more are on the horizon. Together we’ll explore the latest on climate projections, impacts and opportunities for risk reduction. Financial assistance available for Indigenous delegates.

To register: https://www.adaptationcanada2020.ca/

For more information about the Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance, please visit their website at www.lffa.ca.

For more information about the UBCIC please visit www.ubcic.bc.ca.

For more information about the Upper Fraser Fisheries Conservation Alliance, please visit www.upperfraser.ca.

For more information about the Assembly of First Nations, please visit www.afn.ca.

For more information about the BC Assembly of First Nations, please visit www.bcafn.ca.

March 5-6, 2020 in Nanaimo, BC

FNFC invites First Nations from around the province to engage in a dialogue on aquaculture. Outcomes of the workshop will include strategic ideas for First Nations to advance their interests in aquaculture, and recommendations for the FNFC on how they can focus their work to support what matters to First Nations.

First Nations across BC are engaged in numerous forms of aquaculture, including shellfish farming, aquaponics, hatcheries, industry partnerships, and land-based closed containment salmon farming. Aquaculture development can be viewed as a path toward conservation, food security, and the creation of jobs to support local economies. Concerns about environmental threats, as well as significant socioeconomic opportunities, generate significant discussion among First Nations about the many potential impacts and benefits of aquaculture. This workshop will not serve as a debate of the many sides of the industry, but instead will focus on how BC First Nations can advance their interests related to aquaculture, and explore opportunities for collaboration with other Nations, industry, and other levels of government.

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REGISTRATION (by Friday, February 14):

Online registration for this event is requested. Please register online by Friday, February 14, 2020 here: https://www.createsurvey.com/s/3Cz46Y/

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TRAVEL SUBSIDIES (by Friday, February 21).

A limited number of travel subsidies will be available to assist participants who would like to attend the Aquaculture Forum. Please note these are limited travel subsidies for up to 2 participants per community or organization. Funding is limited and requests are approved on a rolling basis, so early application is recommended.

Please apply for travel subsidy online by Friday, February 21, 2020 here: https://www.createsurvey.com/s/aBiHQD/

If you plan to apply for travel subsidy, please review the FNFC Travel Subsidy Guidelines here:

https://www.fnfisheriescouncil.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/FNFC-travel-guidelines-_-march-2020-aquaculture.pdf

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For more information, please contact FNFC Project Coordinator Nina Nichols at nina@fnfisheriescouncil.ca

Thank you, we look forward to seeing you at the Aquaculture Forum.

The Forum is hosted by the Fraser River Aboriginal Fisheries Secretariat (FRAFS). Please visit www.frafs.ca or contact Communications Coordinator Allison James at frafs15@gmail.com for more information.

For more information about the Island Marine Aquatic Working Group (IMAWG)  please visit www.imawg.ca or email smorin.imawg@gmail.com.

For more information about the Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance, please visit their website at www.lffa.ca.

For more information about the Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance, please visit their website at www.lffa.ca.

For more information about the Upper Fraser Fisheries Conservation Alliance, please visit www.upperfraser.ca.