A New Relationship With First Nations

Support for the New Relationship with First Nations

First Nations and other Aboriginal people play a vital role in the social, economic and cultural life of BC. The provincial government is committed to working in partnership with First Nations and others to help ensure that the five great goals for the next decade are also achieved for Aboriginal British Columbians. To achieve this vision, the province is building a new relationship based on respect, recognition of Aboriginal rights and title, and reconciliation.

Over the past several years, there has been progress in building this relationship and in creating new economic and social opportunities for First Nations and Aboriginal communities.

• Within the British Columbia Treaty Commission process, five Agreements-in-Principle have been signed, each of which will form the basis of a final treaty.
• More than 300 individual agreements have been made in areas such as land use planning, economic development, forestry, oil and gas, parks, agriculture and aquaculture.
• $135 million in revenue sharing has been committed over four years for First Nation communities interested in forestry, as well as access to 9 million cubic metres of dedicated timber harvest.
• A $15 million First Nations Benefits Trust was set up in 2004 to support initiatives for Aboriginal communities along the BC Rail corridor.
• Aboriginal groups have been directly involved with planning and benefit sharing for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
• An agreement with Aboriginal leaders has been signed to reduce the number of Aboriginal children coming into government care and return children to their communities when appropriate.
• A variety of other actions have been taken in economic and social areas such as dedicated funding for Aboriginal housing, educational cultural development, business development, training and employment opportunities and participation in the treaty negotiations process.

While the provincial government regards these examples as significant achievements, it also recognizes that in order for progress to continue in building a new relationship, First Nations and other Aboriginal communities require further support to build their capacity to actively participate in the social and economic development of British Columbia, and to be effective partners in consultations concerning land and resources.

First Nations New Relationship Fund

While progress has been made in building capacity, it is acknowledged that a more systematic and focused way is needed to build capacity within First Nations and Aboriginal communities. Ideally, building capacity should be targeted at training and other related activities that help First Nations and others build the internal capacity to respond to consultations and assumed responsibilities while improving the economic and social well-being of Aboriginal communities.

In 2005/06, the provincial government will invest $100 million of one-time funding to help First Nations and Aboriginal communities build appropriate capacity to provide effective input and participate in the management of lands, resources and social programs. This will assist First Nations and Aboriginal communities in becoming active, supporting partners in relationships with government, business and other organizations.

Between now and Spring 2006, the provincial government will engage First Nations and Aboriginal communities, as well as other interested groups, including the federal government, to invite their views and participation on the most appropriate strategies and structures for achieving this important step.

An update on this initiative, along with an appropriate funding appropriation, will be provided when the government presents its next budget in February 2006.

Principled Approach to Building Capacity

The provincial government believes that the commitment of public resources to help First Nations and Aboriginal people build capacity should be guided by the following principles:

• Inclusive – available to all First Nations and other Aboriginal communities engaged with the provincial government. Informed by best practices and experiences from local government, the business community and other jurisdictions.
• Building Self-Reliance – targeted to reducing or eliminating reliance on procuring ongoing outside expert advice, where it makes better sense for First Nations and Aboriginal communities to internally develop these resources for themselves.
• Outcome Based – targeted and linked to specific beneficial outcomes and the processes needed to achieve those outcomes. This should flow from a clear set of plans as to what is needed to be done, by whom, and framed within specific time lines that ultimately lead to those outcomes.
• Simple, Efficient and Flexible – approaches that are not complicated or cumbersome to create or maintain; avoid duplication of efforts; support common interests through the creation of economies of scale; and be flexible to reflect evolving new relationship priorities.
• Affordable and Accountable – publicly affordable and lead to new opportunities that create strengthened economic and social conditions in First Nations and Aboriginal communities, which in turn will benefit all British Columbians. Establish clear responsibilities that lead to clear accountabilities for outcomes.
• Jurisdictional Recognition – reflects the accountabilities of the parties involved. The Government of Canada, local governments, as well as the private sector each have responsibilities and roles to play in helping to build capacity with First Nations and Aboriginal people.