Shared governance is a long-term goal that aims to reconcile Indigenous and Crown governments through changes within the existing regulatory environment to support meaningful collaboration and shared decision-making regarding the use of lands and resources. Shared governance requires changes to legislation, policies, and practices, and will take time to develop since a one size fits all approach does not recognize the legitimate cultural, governmental, and economic differences between BC First Nations.

Joint decision-making and shared governance both seek to advance reconciliation. These processes are predicated on the recognition of First Nation governments as legitimate government-to-government partners.

Related information: Statement of Law Regarding First Nations and Forestry (March 2015) 

LINK TO THE UN DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES (UNDRIP):

Article 3, 19, 29, 31, and 32.

The forestry economy has a role to play in closing the socio-economic gap, supporting and strengthening First Nations in the evolution of their governance, and in the rebuilding of strong, healthy, Indigenous communities.

A modernized government-to-government relationship requires new approaches and models for revenue sharing. New approaches can take many forms that recognize First Nations as key players and drivers in the economic landscape and revitalization of the forest sector in the province. Modifying the revenue sharing framework is meant to support the ability of First Nation governments to more fully benefit from the use of forest lands and resources, and to develop the capacity needed to increase their role in the governance and stewardship of forest lands and resources.

Related information: Final Cut: Forestry Indigenomics

LINK TO THE UN DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES (UNDRIP):

Article 26 and 28

Changes to forest policy and legislation are needed to incorporate First Nations’ interests, values, and priorities into forest governance and stewardship, and support government-to-government decision-making regarding the use and management of forest lands and resources.

A renewed and modernized government-to-government relationship will need to reflect legislation and policy development to include the identification of barriers and incorporation of both Indigenous and Crown world views, interests, values, and processes in the governance of forest lands and resources and environmental stewardship.

Related information: [Members only] Recommendations to Support the Revitalization of the BC Interior Forest Sector

LINK TO THE UN DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES (UNDRIP):

Article 3, 19, 26, 31, 32

Access to more viable tenure is needed in many cases to level the playing field. First Nations want access to increased volume to expand their involvement in the forest sector as managers and decision-makers.

Supporting First Nations to become full partners in the forest sector will require increased access to tenure and an evaluation of the current tenure allocation, apportionment legislation, and policies to identify ways to increase First Nations access to tenure.

Related information: [Members only] 2009 Tenure viability paper

LINK TO THE UN DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES (UNDRIP):

Article 26

First Nations have stressed the need for their own land use plans for their territories that identify their values, stewardship and management objectives to be operationalized and/or formalized to advance their interests in administrative and operational decisions related to forest activities.

Processes will need to bridge the worldviews and perspectives of both governments by working together to incorporate Indigenous Knowledge into the process of gathering information, identifying values, setting resource management objectives, and planning the use of the forest land-base in First Nations territories.

Related information: [Members only] Honouring our Lands: A Toolkit for First Nations Ecosystem-Based Stewardship Planning

LINK TO THE UN DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES (UNDRIP):

Article 19, 26, 29, 31, and 32

First Nations can play an important role in revitalizing the forest sector. The 2009 Roundtable on Forestry recognized that for a vibrant and sustainable forest industry, First Nations should be full partners in its economic development and growth.

A robust forest sector requires strong and meaningful collaboration between First Nations, industry, and the Province in all areas of forestry. There is also a need for further support for training and employment opportunities, in collaboration with industry and the Province, to achieve sustainable and meaningful career, employment, and business outcomes for First Nations.

Related information: The BC First Nations Forestry Workforce Strategy

LINK TO THE UN DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES (UNDRIP):

Article 26 and 32