Ecosystem Stewardship Planning

The Ecosystem Stewardship Working Group has been tasked by the First Nations Leadership Council (the political Executives of the First Nations Summit, Union of BC Indian Chiefs, BC Assembly of First Nations) to help formulate a First Nations planning framework that provides an effective means of meeting the goals of the New Relationship and of affirming the priority rights of First Nations to have a lead role in land and resource planning decisions within their territories

The Working Group is interested in developing an advisory group to contribute in the development of the Vision, Goals, Framework and final Handbook for Ecosystem Stewardship Planning. A Work Plan has been agreed to by the First Nations Leadership Council and funded through the Mountain Pine Beetle Funding Transfer Agreement (April 12, 2006).

Who will care for the land and provide the stewardship that the land asks of us. From time immemorial our people have learned the ways of the animals and the plants that have sustained us and it is our responsibility to continue on that path. Ecosystem Stewardship Planning is an ongoing process to recapture our stewardship responsibility and a means to affirming the priority rights of First Nations to have a lead role in land and resource planning decisions within our territories.

Since the commencement of formal planning processes in British Columbia, the focus of Provincial land use planning was, and still remains, the allocation of resources leading to their disposition for commercial purposes. The intention of working towards an Ecosystem Stewardship Planning Framework is to provide an alternative to the Provincial disposition process by using a more holistic approach whereby all the components of the ecosystems are valued.

First Nations Ecosystem Stewardship Planning reflects a unique lens from which First Nations view the land, the people, the animals, fish, and the spiritual interconnection of these elements found in the ecosystems in our homelands. Ecosystem Stewardship Planning reflects the ecological knowledge of First Nations (holistic approach), considers First Nations peoples as part of the land and part of the water, and acknowledges the responsibility that stewardship of the land and resources of our territories requires of us.

We recognise that the New Relationship provides us with an opportunity to engage with our people and with the Government of British Columbia to achieve the following:

To restore, revitalize and strengthen First Nations and their communities and families;
To achieve First Nations self-determination through the exercise of their aboriginal title;
To ensure that lands and resources are managed in accordance with First Nations laws, knowledge and values.

Vision

We are all here to stay. We agree to a new government-to-government relationship based on respect, recognition and accommodation of aboriginal title and rights. Our shared vision includes respect for our respective laws and responsibilities. Through this new relationship, we commit to reconciliation of Aboriginal and Crown titles and jurisdictions.

We agree to establish processes and institutions for shared decision-making about the land and resources and for revenue and benefit sharing, recognizing, as has been determined in court decisions, that the right to aboriginal title “in its full form”, including the inherent right for the community to make decisions as to the use of the land and therefore the right to have a political structure for making those decisions, is constitutionally guaranteed by Section 35. These inherent rights flow from First Nations’ historical and sacred relationship with their territories. The historical Aboriginal-Crown relationship in British Columbia has given rise to the present socio-economic disparity between First Nations and other British Columbians. We agree to work together in this new relationship to achieve strong governments, social justice and economic self sufficiency for First Nations which will be of benefit to all British Columbians and will lead to long-term economic viability.

Ecosystem Stewardship Planning Goals

The goal is to sustain the diversity of ecosystems for humans, fish, bird and wildlife populations and their associated habitat, across the landscapes at multiple temporal and spatial scales while ensuring viable and sustainable economies for our communities.

A core theme of our philosophy is that maintaining healthy and biologically diverse water and forested ecosystems supports healthy communities and diversified economies, and that these elements are integral to the success of all societies.

To accomplish the task of balancing the traditional uses of the ecosystems, while providing an economic framework for sustaining healthy communities and ensuring viable habitat for all species, an inclusive approach is needed for the stewardship of our homelands.

In this model of Ecosystem Stewardship Planning all resources are given equal weight in the planning process, including appropriate measures to ensure that natural resources are managed in an ecologically sustainable manner that reflects the stewardship that First Nations ecological knowledge and scientific knowledge provides.

Government-to-Government negotiation is included in the Ecosystem Stewardship Planning initiative. The protocol being developed by the First Nations Leadership Council anticipates a high level negotiation between First Nations leaders and the Provincial Government, as well as a complementary negotiation as to how the science of land use planning will be incorporated into the Ecosystem Stewardship Planning initiative. The latter will take place between the Ecosystem Stewardship Planning Working Group with the guidance from, and the inclusion of, members of the Advisory Group and the provincial Integrated Land Management Bureau.

As well, we are pushing to have First Nations Traditional Knowledge being used to inform the regulatory and policy framework providing legislated guidance to natural resources management in British Columbia. To that end, an Information Sharing Protocol is being developed. The purpose of the Protocol is to eliminate the duplication of information gathering between First Nations and the Province, as well as between First Nations. It will also assist with information sharing between the two Governments, including confidential information and intellectual property

In determining the title of Ecosystem Stewardship Planning, the following definition was used:

As first peoples we are part of the land and part of the water and therefore Ecosystem Stewardship Planning reflects the inherent responsibility to care for the land, water, and air, through a unique lens from which First Nations view the land, the people, the animals, fish, and the spiritual interconnection of these elements found in the ecosystems in our homelands and encompasses the activities that protect, maintain, and restore ecosystem health and biodiversity while ensuring viable and sustainable economies and cultures for First Nations communities.

Ecosystem Stewardship Planning Principles

Ecosystem Stewardship Planning will proceed according to a negotiated agreement setting out the elements of the process, including measures related to the scope of planning, timeframes for plan completion, decision-making regarding plan approval, and responsibilities for plan development and plan implementation, including funding.

Major Provincial land use decisions and approvals should be deferred until plan completion.

Each First Nation will determine if, when and how they will engage in Ecosystem Stewardship Planning on a government-to-government basis;
Ecosystem Stewardship Planning will reflect the vision and values of individual First Nations;
Ecosystem Stewardship Planning must recognize our cultural and traditional way of life and our stewardship of our homelands;
Ecosystem Stewardship Planning will be in the spirit and intent of the New Relationship and will help to assist in shared decision making, shared stewardship and shared revenues and benefits;
All Ecosystem Stewardship Plans will include implementation measures;
Appropriate resources will be made available for the planning and implementation processes to help First Nations develop Ecosystem Stewardship Plans; and
We must have the ability to preserve and protect our traditional lifestyles, to develop sustainable economies and communities in our respective homelands for future generations.

ESP Definition

Ecosystem Stewardship Planning” means planning and management decision-making that is culturally relevant to First Nations and that reflects their unique connection with land and resources and their inherent responsibility to care for the interconnectedness of the land, water, air, people, animals and fish in a manner consistent with their spiritual beliefs and values.

Scope

The ESP Working Group will work with various levels within the First Nations and Provincial Governments to complete the ESP framework to ensure that the product is acceptable for individual First Nations throughout British Columbia.

First Nations Leadership Council / Provincial Level

Create an Action Plan similar to the Mountain Pine Beetle Action Plan that will provide a broad consensus for the Ecosystem Stewardship Planning provincially;
Produce an Ecosystem Stewardship Planning Framework from the objectives agreed to by the ESP Advisory Group;
Assist the First Nations Leadership Council to establish Ecosystem Stewardship Planning, Vision, and Goals within which the new Ecosystem Stewardship Planning process will be framed. First Nations Vision and Goals are required because the Vision and Goals within the existing Provincial legislation that form the top of the land use planning hierarchy were developed without our involvement;
Assist in developing an Information Sharing Protocol (ISP). This Protocol will provide a framework for use by individual First Nations participating in the program and government representatives. The ISP framework would provide guidance for individual First Nations without dictating the content and structure;
Develop a methodology for integrating the existing Provincial planning processes (LRMP, SRMP, FSP) into the Ecosystem Stewardship Planning through negotiations between the Ecosystem Stewardship Planning Working Group and the provincial Integrated Land Management Bureau;
Ensure that the Ecosystem Stewardship Planning Framework and consultation encompasses the planning envisioned in the Mountain Pine Beetle development;
Develop an Ecosystem Stewardship Planning Handbook that provides straightforward guidance in a process that First Nations in British Columbia could follow to achieve a completed Ecosystem Stewardship Plan. The Handbook will provide enough structure to be relevant while providing ample room for individual First Nations to be specific to their values. We envision a Handbook with relevant questions, flowcharts, linkages to other plans and advice, and some procedures. We do not envision a complicated, process oriented, procedural manual. The intended goal is that individual First Nations have the capacity to interface with BC resolving their differences.

First Nation Community or Tribal Council Level

Prior to developing the Framework for Ecosystem Stewardship Plans, communication is required at the First Nation and/or Tribal Council level to help determine the Vision, Goals, and strategy for Ecosystem Stewardship Plans, and to determine if, when, and how they will engage in Ecosystem Stewardship Planning. The Ecosystem Stewardship Planning Working Group has begun the process of community visitations that asks questions and seeks support for the ESP initiative;
Elements of the process for framework development may include the following:

Determine if there is broad based support and commitment at the community level for Ecosystem Stewardship Planning, from the elders down to the youth;
What are the issues that the community wants the planning process to address? For example: biodiversity, traditional use and values, animal and fish populations and habitats, disturbance regimes and their present levels, ecosystem classification, and existing and potential land use;
Ensuring a balance of values in the planning process including appropriate measures to make certain that natural resources are managed in an ecologically sustainable manner while protecting our culture and lifestyle;
Are the resources and capacity available to do the planning (financial, technical including mapping capability, community volunteer commitments);
Has an Information Sharing Template Agreement been signed between the First Nation community and the Integrated Land Management Bureau (ILMB);
How will shared areas be planned?; and
Develop a mechanism within the Ecosystem Stewardship Planning to assess and mitigate for the Cultural and Economic impacts of the Mountain Pine Beetle

Background Documents

ESP Quick Facts - First Nations LUPs and Provincial LUPs (56 KB)