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CSTC CONSERVATION STRATEGY PROJECT:
Since 2005, the CSTC has been building and increasing Land Use Planning capacity within each of its respective First Nation communities. The CSTC is made up of 8 Carrier and Sekani First Nations with a combined territory of approximately 7.8 million hectares or 78,000 sq. km. The CSTC technical staff (GIS Coordinator, Land Use Planner, and various contractors) has been providing their knowledge, skills and support to the various aspects of land use planning, natural resource management, and mapping initiatives occurring in each of the communities.
CSTC and its member First Nations have not participated or supported the provincial land use planning processes, and have been demanding for government-to-government protocols and processes – we have yet to have any such agreement signed. Land use planning is a complex process that will take several more years to complete, and many more years to monitor and enforce.
The underlying purpose of the Conservation Strategy Project (CSP) is to develop a conservation framework based on CSTC community direction and input on how they would implement goals and strategies (identified by community members) on ways to protect and conserve land and resources within the Carrier Sekani territory. The project will also provide additional technical support to the work already being done in land use planning, natural resource management, mapping, economic development, education and negotiations.
The concern to protect the Carrier Sekani territory for present and future generations has become very apparent through proposed mega projects and the cumulative impacts of historical and current development in the region. Projects of concern include the Kemess North expansion, pipelines, industrial forestry and the Mt. Milligan mine (Shus Nadloh).
Funding for the Carrier Sekani Conservation Project has been made possible in part by the BC Capacity Initiative, Mountain Equipment Co-op, and the New Relationship Trust
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE
- Marlene Flannery, GIS Analyst/Coordinator has created and distributed territorial maps for each CSTC community with industrial development and designated provincial conservation areas.
- A follow-up report on the Conservation Strategy Workshop (mentioned below) has been completed and is now available to all CSTC community members.
- Open-houses have been hosted in some of the CSTC First Nation communities. The purpose of these open-houses was to provide an update on the consevration strategy project, and to gain input into the development of the draft conservation strategy framework.
CONSERVATION STRATEGY WORKSHOP
Workshop Report
On Thursday September 24, 2009, CSTC hosted its first Conservation Strategy Workshop at the Saik’uz Potlatch House in Stoney Creek BC. Natural Resource Coordinators, Elders, Keyoh Holders, Hereditary Chiefs, Chief and Council, Traditional Knowledge Holders, Youth, and any interested CSTC Community Members were invited to attend.
The purpose of this workshop was to discuss case studies and strategic approaches to conservation within the Carrier Sekani traditional territories.
CSTC invited guest speakers from the following organizations to attend and share information on their conservation initiatives and experiences in their jurisdiction:
- Haida Fisheries Guardians- Robert Russ. Topic: Haida Fisheries Guardian Program.
- Ministry of Environment- Scott Back & Mike Patterson. Topic: Overview of Conservation Oriented Designations in BC.
- Nature Conservancy of Canada- Pierre Iachetti. Topic: NCC Activities and Projects in CSTC Area and with First Nations.
- Sacred Headwaters Alliance- Gerald Amos. Topic: Sacred Headwaters Alliance
- Tla-o-qui-aht Nation- Eli Enns. Topic: Tribal Parks in Tla-o-qui-aht Nation Territory.
- UVic Environmental Law- Tim Watson. Topic: Increasing the Authority of the Guardian Watchmen.
NEXT STEPS:
- Develop a DRAFT Conservation Strategy Framework.
- Bring the draft Conservation Strategy Framework back to the communities for review.
- Make any necessary revisions to the draft conservation strategy framework as suggested by the community staff and members.
- Once a final draft is complete, bring the Conservation strategy framework to the CSTC Chiefs for consideration of adoption.
