First Nations Fisheries

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 (LFFA), please visit www.lffa.ca or email rosalie.hope@lffa.ca.

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

TOPIC: BC Mining Law Reform Report and FNWARM (for First Nations only)

To register: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4092145185098729483

In this webinar, Loretta Williams from the Xeni Gwet’in First Nation will present on the BC First Nations Women Advocating Responsible Mining (FNWARM) which she chairs. Calvin Sandborn, Assistant Teaching Professor and Legal Director of the University of Victoria Environmental Law Centre, will discuss their report entitled BC Mining Law Reform: An Action Plan for Change developed in partnership with FNWARM, Fair Mining Collaborative, Northern Confluence and Mining Watch Canada. This report proposes recommendations to reform BC’s regulatory system for mining in response to growing evidence of systemic failures including the Mount Polley Mine disaster. Calvin will focus especially on the recommendations related to water protection.

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.

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

Please join the FNFC and invited guests for a 1.5 day Fisheries Indigenous Knowledge Forum.

Tuesday, October 29th (full day) & Wednesday, October 30th (morning), 2019

SFU Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue

580 W Hastings St, Vancouver BC

Please register by Friday, October 11, 2019 (link below).   

The Prime Minister has committed the Government of Canada to achieving reconciliation with Indigenous peoples through a renewed government-to-government relationship based on recognition of rights, respect, co-operation, and partnership as the foundation for transformative change.  The process of reconciliation and the fundamental shift in fisheries governance approach will be challenging not only for Government, but also for First Nations, and will require on-going commitment of both parties to improve relationships in ways that lead to improved outcomes for Indigenous peoples. Recently, the Fisheries Act has been amended and, among other significant changes, now requires consideration of Indigenous knowledge for decisions made under the Act and provides for the confidentiality of Indigenous knowledge.

The First Nations Fisheries Council is hosting a Fisheries Indigenous Knowledge Forum on October 29^th (full day) and October 30^th (half day) to initiate dialogue and build an understanding of Indigenous Knowledge systems and how the integration of Indigenous Knowledge relating to fisheries and their environments can lead to improved outcomes not only for fisheries, but for First Nation communities as well. The Forum agenda will be designed for First Nations to share how they have approached community-based engagement and research and how they have worked to address issues and challenges relating to sharing and integrating their Indigenous Knowledge systems with Western Knowledge systems:

• First Nation Case Studies: Highlight innovative approaches, practices & projects and developing successful partnerships
• Best Practices: Sharing and Protection of Indigenous Knowledge
• Facilitated Dialogue: Integration of Indigenous Knowledge to strengthen or improve decision-making
• Networking: Opportunities for participants to exchange ideas and develop partnerships

REGISTRATION:

Registration for this event is requested by October 11, 2019.

Please register online at http://www.createsurvey.com/s/Cf8p16/

TRAVEL FUNDING:

Limited funding is available to help support First Nations participant travel to this session. Participants must register online for the event, and if travel support is needed, must also complete the online Travel Subsidy Request form. The deadline to apply for travel is October 11, 2019; however, funds are limited and subsidies will be approved on a rolling basis, so early application is recommended.

To request the link to apply for travel funding online, please email us at info@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.

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.