Planning Effectively with First Nation GovernmentsSmart Planning for CommunitiesFebruary 24, 2011: online webinar

Presenter:Donnella Sellarsdsellars@fraserbasin.bc.ca

Who am I?

Donnella Sellars:• I am Secwepemc of the

Northern Secwepemc te Qelmucw (NStQ)

• From Xat’sūll and live in Cmetem’

• Who is my family?

words

• Economic uncertainty• Neighborhood resiliency• Urban sprawl• Housing affordability• Land use conflicts • Segregated response to issues & solutions• High cost of infrastructure,services and facilities• Various global crises• Meaningful consultation with otherlevels of government on issues

Face Challenges

• Communications between Local Governments and First Nations

• Build Trust and a Good Foundation

• First Nations Cultural Diversity in BC

• First Nation Structures in BC

• When to engage and what are fine starting points for engagement

Outline

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMBuilding Rural and Northern Partnerships

Communications

Communications between Local Governments and First Nations:

• Reconciliation• Time• Processes• Benefits

Communities

Build Trust and

a GoodFoundation

Colleen Hemphill, Chief Negotiator for Gwa'sala-'Nakwaxda'xw Nations

Chair Harry Nyce, President UBCM

• Does anyone have a story to share about recognition or reconciliation in your community?

• What do you wish for your community or dream of in your community when it comes to communications or building relationships?

Dialogue

First Nations Cultural Diversity in BC

Acts EffectingFirst Nations Peoples

The Indian Act, 1876

Land, Membership,

and Local Government

Constitution Act, 1982

Acknowledge the inherent right to aboriginal self-government

Forming a Relationship When do you engage?

First NationsGovernment Structures

• Band Offices

• Tribal Councils

• Treaty Bands

• First Nation Summit

• BC Assembly of First Nations

• Assembly of First Nations

• Union of BC Indian Chiefs

First Nation Community First Nation Community First Nation Community

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada

Federal Government of CanadaFiduciary Responsibility to First Nations

Other Funding Sources

First Nation Structures in BC

First Nations Councils (becoming similar to Ministries)

Chiefs and Councils of203 First Nation Communities

Assembly of First NationsGoverance Policy Development

at both Provincialand National Levels

Leadership Council

First Nations Mining Council

First Nations Forestry Council

First Nations Technology Council

First Nations Fisheries Council

First Nations Health Council

Union of BC Indian ChiefsRights and Title

Non-treaty

First Nation SummitTreaty

196,075 First Nation Membership

First Nation Structures in BC

If you don’t understand where the people are coming from,

you can’t build that relationship or trust

Building Trust and Maintaining Relations

Governments MustEducate Each Other

Educate each other about the differences and similarities in government models and governance practices. This will help prevent problems arising from ignorance or misunderstanding.

What is your level of knowledge of FN governments or vice versa for the FNs on the line what is your knowledge of local governments?A. Still in the Dark? = Little to noneB. Some but would like more = Medium to highC. Actively engaged = High to Advanced

• What are some the other resources out there to help you understand the governance structures that First Nation communities have?

Dialogue

Introduction & Letter

Introduction:

• Background/Purpose of call

• Request to present

Letter of Intent:

• Background, goals, objectives

• Include ideas from introductory call

Schedule & DeliverPresentation

Follow up within the week:• Schedule a meeting

Present:• Prepare PPT/offer handouts• Ask for input• Request to share with

community• Request a key contact &

next steps

Follow up

Send Letter:

• Summarize understandings

• Act on recommendations or

explain barriers

• Answer questions from meeting

We let them know what we can do

- they let us know what they would like us to do.

We generally compromise somewhere in the middle

Community Meetings & Workshops

Body Language andStorytelling

• Silence

• Eye Contact

• Joking

• Storytelling

• Indian Time

• Feasts

• Opening meetings

Working Together

Steps to work together:

• Develop the relationshipand maintain it

• Understand each other’s governance structures, history, culture and diversity

• Develop MOUs

• Frameworks for future developments

Continuing the Relationship

• All relationships require effort

• Be a resource for the community

• Be a problem solver

• Be a mentor

• What has worked for your community or what has workedwell in the past for your communities when reaching out to communicate or build a relationship?

• If you get an opportunity to work with your neighboring community what are some of the steps that you would take?

• What is a common issue or value that you believe your communities share?

• What are some of the values or goals that your communities may share that you could share with us?

Dialogue / Reflection

Kukwstsétsemc

dsellars@fraserbasin.bc.ca

Thank you

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMBuilding Rural and Northern Partnerships