Reconciliation in British Columbia and the Yukon

The Government of Canada is committed to renewed relationships with Indigenous peoples based on the recognition of rights, respect, cooperation, and partnership. We recognize that fisheries, oceans, aquatic habitat and marine waterways are of great social, cultural, spiritual and economic importance for Indigenous peoples in Pacific Region, and because of this, Fisheries and Oceans Canada has an important role to play in advancing reconciliation.

Our work in partnership with Indigenous peoples continues to evolve. Building on the Principles respecting the Government of Canada's relationship with Indigenous peoples, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act came into effect in 2021. This legislation calls on the Government of Canada, in consultation and cooperation with Indigenous peoples, to work to ensure that federal laws are consistent with the Declaration, and to develop an action plan to achieve its objectives. We are actively working to contribute to this national action plan in order to achieve reconciliation on the water.

Reconciliation and partnerships

Our Reconciliation and Partnership team participates in treaty negotiations and rights and recognition processes, and advances long-term commitments with treaty and self-governing First Nations. We are actively engaged in more than 100 treaty and reconciliation negotiations in BC and Yukon. Fisheries components of these agreements seek to advance reconciliation, enable an enhanced role for First Nations in collaborative fisheries governance and management, and provide a robust and meaningful process for engaging stakeholders.

We deliver funding for Indigenous partners to support sustainable fisheries, fish and fish habitat restoration and stewardship, build community capacity and assist in economic development. Funding supports initiatives with Indigenous partners in areas such as:

• meaningful participation in the management of food, social and ceremonial fisheries
• stock assessment and habitat management
• monitoring of catch and fishing activities
• enforcement of rules set for fishing in communal licences
• participation in advisory and decision-making processes
• increase in commercial fisheries opportunities
• engagement in cumulative effects monitoring

Funding for these priorities can be accessed through the following grant and contribution programs:

• Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy (AFS)
• Aboriginal Aquatic Resource and Oceans Management (AAROM) Program
• Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk (AFSAR)
• Pacific Indigenous Communal Commercial Licence Alternation Program (Alternation Program)
• Pacific Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (PICFI)

The Reconciliation and Partnerships Branch also administers the BC Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund (BCSRIF), which seeks to ensure the fish and seafood sector in B.C. is positioned for long-term environmental and economic sustainability, and supports the protection and restoration of wild Pacific salmon and other fish stocks.

Corporate culture change

Consistent with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #57, public servants have a special responsibility to learn about the history of Indigenous peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law and Indigenous–Crown relations. In our region, staff continue to demonstrate a deep commitment to training in intercultural competency, anti-racism, decolonization and reconciliation. This learning is equally important externally – to enable us to be a better partner in reconciliation – and internally, to ensure we offer Indigenous employees a welcoming, inclusive and equitable workplace. We are also proud to recognize and participate in annual special events such as National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30.

Related links

• Many Voices One Mind: a Pathway to Reconciliation
• Principles respecting the Government of Canada's relationship with Indigenous peoples