First Nations

Issues:

• Land use plans do not address aboriginal title, which is often the primary interest of First Nations;
• First Nations’ land-based information and knowledge (e.g., traditional land uses, management practices, spiritual values) have not been adequately incorporated into Crown land management;
• Some land-based information is sensitive and First Nations seek to maintain its confidentiality;
• Some First Nations have expressed concern about difficulties accessing government information;
• First Nations have concerns about potential impacts of resource development and uses on aboriginal rights, title and traditional uses. These concerns are heightened in certain priority areas of interest;
• First Nations perceive that land use planning fails to adequately consider their aboriginal rights to fish, hunt and carry out other traditional practices;
• First Nations are concerned about the cumulative effects of various types of Crown land tenure and use on the sustainability of ecosystems;
• There are concerns from First Nations that they will not have meaningful input into plan implementation;
• First Nations are concerned about lack of opportunities to pursue land-based economic development initiatives that build upon their knowledge, expertise, practices and interests.

Goals:

• Enhanced economic development opportunities for First Nations.
• Sustained or enhanced cultural and environmental values.

Objectives		Measures of Success/Targets
1. Consider First Nations’ information and knowledge to strengthen land and resource management		First Nations involvement in West Branch Valley LRMP implementation
2. Respect First Nations’ desire to protect the confidentiality of certain land-based information		Sharing of information and data among First Nations, resource developers and decision makers, with appropriate confidentiality
3. Consider asserted aboriginal rights and traditional uses in resource management		Concluding the identification of First Nations’ interests in new protected areas
4. Strive to improve the efficiency of consultation procedures		Concluding protocol, enabling or management agreements with most First Nations
5. Develop common understandings with First Nations on sustainable resource management		Resolution of First Nations’ priority areas of interest
6. Establish information and data sharing agreements with First Nations		Sharing of information and data among First Nations, resource developers and decision makers, with appropriate confidentiality
7. Foster planning partnerships between First Nations and other governments or businesses (e.g., Sustainable Resource Management Plans)		Implementation of protocol agreements with First Nations
8. Identify and pursue initiatives with First Nations that support economic development (e.g., economic measures agreements)		Viable First Nations land-based economic development initiatives