IMAWG Calendar List

You are cordially invited to attend and participate in FNFC’s Policy Forum, set for February 18^th & 19^th, 2025. Over the two days, FNFC will be convening First Nations in BC to provide updates and elicit feedback from participants on the review of the 1999 Salmon Allocation Policy, as well as the implementation of the federal United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDA) Action Plan. This Policy Forum will build from feedback we heard from the first Policy Forum in October 2024, and we will be looking review draft recommendations and options with First Nations in BC.

This Policy Forum will be set in Vancouver (location to be announced), and will feature presentations and discussions on:

1. Update on the Salmon Allocation Policy Review
2. Refined recommendations for a new Salmon Allocation Policy
3. Amendments to bring federal legislations, regulations and policies to be consistent with UNDRIP and other Reconciliation commitments
4. Exploration of First Nations, First Nations-Governments, and First Nations-Governments-Stakeholders collaborative spaces that respects First Nations’ jurisdiction and authority

This event is in-person only. Registration is required to attend the Policy Forum. Please register here: Register here

Catering will be provided for registered participants.

**Note: An online-only session will be organized for those interested to participate but is unable to attend in-person. Registration information for the online session will be sent separately.

Travel Subsidy:

Limited funding is available to support travel costs. Travel is intended to encourage First Nations participation in this event and will be limited to two person(s) per community/organization. Travel expenses eligible for reimbursement include transportation (e.g. flight, ferry, mileage, taxi, parking, etc.) and accommodation. Meals, incidentals, and honoraria are not eligible for reimbursement.

 

Participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements. Based upon current rates, we recommend that hotel accommodation does not exceed $250/night.

 

Please contact Mary Mahon (FNFC Project Coordinator, Policy & Fisheries Management) at mary@fnfisheriescouncil.ca to request for a travel subsidy. Travel subsidies must be pre-approved to be eligible, prior to travel.

Day 1: Salmon Allocation Policy Review Regional Engagement

When: Tuesday, February 18^th, 2025, 9am – 4pm

Where: Vancouver, BC

Day 1 will focus on the review of the Salmon Allocation Policy (SAP) and developments to date. FNFC will convene First Nations in BC to collaboratively establish and discuss priorities relating to the development of a new SAP, and to review and discuss recommendations coming out of the working group processes. 

Background: The 2018 Supreme Court Ahousaht Decision found that the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) 1999 Salmon Allocation Policy (SAP) was an unjustified infringement of the Five Nations’ (Ahousaht, Ehattesaht, Mowachaht/Muchalaht, Hesquiaht and Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations) aboriginal rights to fish and sell fish insofar as the SAP accords priority in allocation to the recreational fishery over the Five Nations rights-based sale fishery for coho and chinook salmon. The judges in the case ordered a review and revision of the SAP to ensure that it upholds the Five Nations’ rights. As the 1999 Salmon Allocation Policy is Pacific-region in scale and impacts First Nations in BC broadly, FNFC has been working with First Nations delegates and DFO to review the policy, and identify recommendations for First Nations priorities towards the new SAP. The Regional Salmon Allocation Policy will continue the opportunity to continue these discussions and review the work to date.

Objectives:

1. To review and discuss the development of work done to date and future plans from DFO
2. To convene First Nations in BC into a collaborative space to review developments, and review refined recommendations from the SAP Review

Day 1 Structure:

1. Tier 2: (Note: Tier 2 is to be confirmed) Update from DFO on the review to date, proposals being considered by different groups (First Nations and stakeholders), and developing consensus recommendations (and areas of disagreement) to update a new SAP and steps to formalize changes to the policy
2. Tier 1: Collaborative space for First Nations delegates to review developments to date, and reviewing updated proposals from the SAP Working Group (First Nations-only process)
3. Tier 1: Review and discussion for First Nations priorities and input to the recommendations

 

Day 2: UNDA Action Plan Implementation

When: Wednesday, February 19^th, 2025, 9am – 4pm

Where: Vancouver, BC

Day 2 will focus on the implementation of the UNDA Action Plan, with a dedicated focus on Action Plan Measures 36: amendments and reforms to fisheries legislation, regulation, or policies and 37: enhance collaborative tools agreements, and transparent approaches to management of fisheries, and conservation and protection of fish habitat.

Background: Since 2021, FNFC have been convening First Nations in BC to collaboratively identify ways for federal and provincial governments to advance reconciliation commitments and to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) from a fisheries and aquatic resources lens. Building from the FNFC’s Turning the Tide and Stemming of the Tide reports, this session is intended to identify specific recommendations and actions to advance Canada’s UNDA Action Plan commitments, and identify options for the amendment of federal laws, regulations and policies to be consistent with UNDRIP and other Reconciliation commitments. These discussions are essential in creating a more coherent First Nations voice on critical issues, and more effectively influence Governments to be accountable to First Nations priority access, title and rights.

Objectives:

1. To review the draft report of potential amendments to Canada’s legislations (Fisheries Act and Oceans Act), regulations, policies, and operations, to determine consistency with UNDRIP and other Reconciliation commitments
2. To convene First Nations in BC into a collaborative space to work together at the provincial scale and provide feedback to recommendations that can further the UNDA Action Plan implementation
3. To discuss provincial-scale options for collaborative structures to advance First Nations co-management in BC

Day 2 Structure:

1. Tier 1: Review and discuss the proposed recommendations identified at the October 2024 Policy Forum to determine alignment with UNDA Action Plan implementation
2. Tier 1: Review and discuss the influence of First Nations in BC on Federal and provincial decision-making processes
3. Tier 1: Explore next steps to support First Nations working together, and fostering a more coherent voice on critical issues that can influence Government decisions to be more re
   

The 4^th Annual Indigenous Climate Resilience Forum will be taking place virtually from February 18-20, 2025. Hosted by the B.C. Climate Action Secretariat in collaboration with the Indigenous Climate Adaptation Working Group, this year’s Forum will build upon the success of the first three Forums.

For details visit: https://mahihkan.ca/ICRF/

The 4^th Annual Indigenous Climate Resilience Forum will be taking place virtually from February 18-20, 2025. Hosted by the B.C. Climate Action Secretariat in collaboration with the Indigenous Climate Adaptation Working Group, this year’s Forum will build upon the success of the first three Forums.

For details visit: https://mahihkan.ca/ICRF/

The 4^th Annual Indigenous Climate Resilience Forum will be taking place virtually from February 18-20, 2025. Hosted by the B.C. Climate Action Secretariat in collaboration with the Indigenous Climate Adaptation Working Group, this year’s Forum will build upon the success of the first three Forums.

For details visit: https://mahihkan.ca/ICRF/

Pacific Salmon Foundation Kelp Restoration Symposium. The event will be held in Victoria, BC and will take place February 24-26, 2025. This will be an in-person event and we are not currently offering a remote attendance option.

Pacific Salmon Foundation Kelp Restoration Symposium. The event will be held in Victoria, BC and will take place February 24-26, 2025. This will be an in-person event and we are not currently offering a remote attendance option.

Pacific Salmon Foundation Kelp Restoration Symposium. The event will be held in Victoria, BC and will take place February 24-26, 2025. This will be an in-person event and we are not currently offering a remote attendance option.