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1. Introduction

The Implementation Plan is a companion document to the revitalized British Columbia First Nations Forest Strategy (the Strategy). The purpose of the Strategy is to set the vision and strategic direction for increasing the role First Nations play in the management and use of forest lands and resources, with the intention of First Nations becoming full partners. The Implementation Plan outlines the actions that will be taken to realize the objectives identified in the Strategy. 

This process will focus on identifying barriers to reconciliation and making recommendations for changing policy, programs, legislation and regulations to support the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP), and Truth and Reconciliation Report’s Calls-to-Action (TRC). Although the First Nations Forestry Council (FNFC) and the Province are partnering to do this work, it does not replace the need for on-going, robust Government to Government relationships between the Province and First Nations. The Province and the FNFC do not represent or speak on behalf of First Nations, and always respect the autonomy, decisions and direction from, First Nations Leadership. 

We are looking to get additional input into the objectives and actions in the Draft BC First Nations Forest Strategy and Implementation Plan.

There are six (6) goals outlined in the strategy. Please review each of the goals, objectives and actions and answer the questions provided.

We value your time and your feedback as we continue to support the modernization of the Government to Government (G2G) relationship between the Province and First nations through a collaborative approach to forest governance and stewarship.
Goal 1: Shared Governance and Collaborative Decision-Making
  • Objective 1.1 – Recognize First Nations governments as having a role in the governance and stewardship of forest lands and resources (Article 3), grounded in the principles of UNDRIP, the TRC Calls to Action, and the Tsilhqot’in Nation Decision 
  • Objective 1.2 – Jointly set principles for collaboration and shared decision-making regarding the use and management of forest lands and resources, through support for government to government discussions.
  • Objective 1.3 – Recognize the right First Nations have to participate in decision-making processes that affects their rights and the need for resources to support the development of their governance capacity.
  • Objective 1.4 – Revise the Timber Supply Review (TSR) process to support collaboration and shared decision-making regarding the process, incorporation of values, and determination of the AAC for their territories, including the following: 
    • Identification of best practices to support meaningful engagement of First Nations in the TSR process including  the development of the data package to incorporate First Nations values and management objectives, development of processes to support the establishment of technical working groups with First Nations, and collaborative determination of AAC for defined areas, in accordance with shared decision-making principles; and 
  • Objective 1.5 – Increase the participation of First Nations at all levels of decision-making and governance in recognition of the shared and mutual interest in maintaining a strong robust and diverse economy. Increase in the involvement of   First Nations in the management and use of forest, lands and resources within their traditional territories

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* 1. Looking at Goal 1, do you have any edits or feedback on the proposed objectives?

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* 2. Please prioritize the proposed actions for Goal 1 by ranking into the appropriate order with the top of the list being the actions that should take priority for the implementation.

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* 3. Are there any actions that you would like to see added to this goal?

Goal 2: A Strong Forest Economy that Supports Meaningful Sharing of Revenues with First Nations
  • Objective 2.1 – Advance a new fiscal relationship; that supports meaningful revenue sharing from the use of forest lands and resources 
  • Objective 2.2 – Support governance capacity and share the economic benefits from resources derived off First Nations territories 
  • Objective 2.3 – Advance economic reconciliation through the development of revenue sharing models and approaches to support the implementation of the UNDRIP and TRC Calls to Action and recent case law 

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* 4. Looking at Goal 2, do you have any edits or feedback on the proposed objectives?

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* 5. Please prioritize the proposed actions for Goal 2 by ranking into the appropriate order with the top of the list being the actions that should take priority for the implementation.

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* 6. Are there any actions that you would like to see added to this goal?

Goal 3: Forest Legislation and Policy Development and Reform
  • Objective 3.1 – Policy and Legislation reform support the Implementation of UNDRIP by incorporation of First Nations’ interests, values and priorities into forest governance and stewardship by supporting government to government discussions that include shared decision-making regarding the use and management of forest lands and resources 
  • Objective 3.2 – Conduct a review of forestry policies, programs, regulation and legislation by  establishing   policy   and legislation technical working groups to identify legislative, and regulatory barriers to reconciliation, and provide 
    recommendations on changes to support shared decision making, recognize First Nations governments and reflect First Nations interests, values and priorities in the management and use of forests land and resources 
  • Objective 3.3 – Meaningful engagement of First Nations in the development of policies and regulations, including changes to the Forest Act and Forest and Range Practices Act, and regulations to support a revitalized forest sector 

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* 7. Looking at Goal 3, do you have any edits or feedback on the proposed objectives?

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* 8. Please prioritize the proposed actions for Goal 3 by ranking into the appropriate order with the top of the list being the actions that should take priority for the implementation.

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* 9. Are there any actions that you would like to see added to this goal?

Goal 4: Tenure Reform that Recognizes UNDRIP and Supports a Healthy and Strong Forest Sector
  • Objective 4.1 – To assist First Nations in becoming full partners in the forest sector by focusing on the following 
  • Objective 4.2 – Creating opportunities to increase tenure viability of existing First Nation tenures 
  • Objective 4.3 – Improving opportunities for First Nation to enter into business to business partnerships with other forest tenure holders 
  • Objective 4.4 – Creating opportunities for First Nations to increase their access to forest and range tenures 

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* 10. Looking at Goal 4, do you have any edits or feedback on the proposed objectives?

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* 11. Please prioritize the proposed actions for Goal 4 by ranking into the appropriate order with the top of the list being the actions that should take priority for the implementation.

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* 12. Are there any actions that you would like to see added to this goal?

Goal 5: Collaborative Stewardship and Land Use Planning
  • Objective 5.1 – Restore environmental values where needed, and ensure that forestry planning sustains healthy ecosystems 
  • Objective 5.2 – Utilize Indigenous Knowledge (where supported by the First Nation) in planning and stewardship processes, while ensuring the protection and recognition of the ownership, confidentiality and integrity of Indigenous knowledge and the holders of that knowledge 
  • Objective 5.3 – Pursue collaborative land use planning and stewardship processes as partnerships between First Nations and the Province to establish management objectives and priorities for their territories 
  • Objective 5.4 – Seek to establish a common vision and goals, jointly set principles and develop models for collaboration and shared decision-making between the Province and First Nations.  These will identify shared values  of importance such as water, wildlife and cultural values, and include the development and implementation of joint 
  • stewardship activities to mitigate impacts to these values, improve wildlife management and habitat conservations, and recover species at risk 

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* 13. Looking at Goal 5, do you have any edits or feedback on the proposed objectives?

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* 14. Please prioritize the proposed actions for Goal 5 by ranking into the appropriate order with the top of the list being the actions that should take priority for the implementation.

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* 15. Are there any actions that you would like to see added to this goal?

Goal 6: Maximize First Nations Involvement in the Forest Sector
  • Objective 6.1 – Revitalize the forest sector with the full participation of First Nations 
  • Objective 6.2 – Update the Strategic Forestry Initiative to better provide support for First Nations to develop forestry businesses, business-to-business and partnership opportunities 
  • Objective 6.3 - Provide continued support for the First Nations Forestry Training Program
  • Objective 6.4 – Support the implementation of the BC First Nations Forestry Work Force Strategy 

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* 16. Looking at Goal 6, do you have any edits or feedback on the proposed objectives?

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* 17. Please prioritize the proposed actions for Goal 6 by ranking into the appropriate order with the top of the list being the actions that should take priority for the implementation.

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* 18. Are there any actions that you would like to see added to this goal?

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