Continued Development of a First Nations (Tier 1) Organization in the Fraser Watershed | |
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Year
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2010 |
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Proponent
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Intertribal Treaty Organization |
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Project type
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Governance |
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FSWP funding source
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Living Rivers |
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Grant amount
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$75,000.00 |
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Total project value
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$261,100.00 |
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ID number
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FSWP10-LR84-P |
Location: Fraser River Basin,
Basin Wide
Project Summary
SUMMARY
This project will continue the work necessary to organize a critical mass of Fraser First Nations in order to implement the Treaty that most Fraser First Nations signed in 1989. Three major First Nation groups are currently committed to the Inter-tribal Treaty Organization (ITO) (implementation body): Carrier-Sekanni, St’at’imc, and Shuswap. Continuation of a series of meetings, workshops, and information sessions in 2010/11 is expected to result in more First Nations joining this umbrella organization.
OVERVIEW
Rationale: Recent years have seen a growing realization that sustainable management of Fraser River salmon can only be achieved through a collaborative management arrangement among First Nations in the Fraser, and between First Nations and DFO. A watershed wide umbrella First Nations organization is needed to achieve this - and the work proposed for this year will build on progress that has been made toward this goal over the last three years. The Inter-tribal Treaty Organization (ITO) has been formed in order to implement the stalled Inter Tribal Fisheries Treaty of 1989; with three major First Nation groups now on the Board of Directors for the ITO, work must continue to bring on board representation from the lower half of the Fraser Watershed. The main thrust of the work to be undertaken by the ITO and its spokesperson, Grand Chief Saul Terry, is communications:
* Building bridges among the political leadership in the Watershed through personal communications regarding the necessity for an umbrella organization, listening to concerns, providing information, and being inclusive and receptive to the needs and imperatives of all prospective members in order to ascertain and build on the common goals, objectives, and visions of the major First Nation groups in the Watershed.
This proposal builds on previous years’ work:
1. A series of assemblies in 2007/08 to open discussions (“plant the seed”) with Fraser First Nations about reviving the Inter Tribal Fisheries Treaty (in partnership with the Fraser River Aboriginal Fisheries Secretariat (FRAFS) and interested First Nations);
2. Assemblies and meetings in 2008/09 to discuss/encourage formation of the ITO as an incorporated body to facilitate implementing the Inter Tribal Fisheries Treaty (partnership with FRAFS and interested First Nations);
3. Incorporation of the ITO with three of the eight major First Nation groups in the Watershed providing the founding directors (partnership with FRAFS);
4. Administrative/logistical tasks to establish a business office for the ITO, and workshops to begin formulating organization structure and process, policies, and linkages/relationships (partnership with FSWP and FRAFS) in the current fiscal year (2009/10).
OBJECTIVES
Objective #1 Increase ITO BOD membership through discussions/negotiations with Nlaka’pamux, Sto’lo, Okanagan, Chilcotin First Nation, as well as any interested marine approach area First Nations.
Objective #2 Negotiate with the FRAFS Executive Committee a plan and timetable to transfer capacity and resources from the bi-lateral (DFO/First Nations) service organization to the Tier 1 (First Nations only) ITO.
METHODS
The Inter-tribal Treaty Organization (ITO) is being structured as follows:
1. Board of Directors
Each major First Nation or group in the Watershed will appoint a mandated representative to sit on the Board. The Board will have two responsibilities: one, to provide oversight and direction to the operations and administration of the ITO’s business; and two, to act as a forum to discuss inter-tribal matters such as their fisheries in order to avoid conflicts, harmonize their Nations’ activities with each other, and make fisheries related decisions that will be in the best interests of the fisheries resource for the long term well being of their communities.
2. Managerial and Technical Support
The administrative and technical support functions of the ITO staff (secretariat) will be directed by a Manager who will report to the Board. The Manager will ensure that all administrative, business, financial, and communications tasks are carried out; and will coordinate the assignments of technical and biological staff in support of policy as determined by the Board and its constituent First Nations.
In order to achieve this level of organization structure and process, this year’s work will utilize the following communications strategies and methods:
1. Face to face meetings with leadership, assemblies, meetings, etc. by the ITO Spokesperson to discuss with Watershed First Nations the benefits of an umbrella organization and how, with their participation in the structure described above, they can implement the 1989 Inter Tribal Fisheries Treaty.
2. Conduct orientation workshops as new members join the Board to continue the development and solidification of policies and procedures.
3. Continue monthly business/administrative meetings of the Board to maintain financial and reporting obligations and establish the credibility of the office.
4. Meeting with the FRAFS Executive Committee to negotiate a mutually acceptable plan to transfer some capacity and resources from FRAFS to the ITO.
5. Provide information and progress reports to Fraser First Nations and interested third parties via Watershed Talk, direct mail out of status updates, media news releases, and establishment of an ITO website.
BENEFITS
Current fisheries management policies and practices for Fraser salmon have shut out First Nations for over 100 years and have proven to be largely unsustainable. (E.g.: numerous “inquiries” into “missing fish” over the last 15 years). First Nation peoples’ culture and identity are inter-woven with that of the salmon. The very existence of First Nation people, their culture, and their identity is dependant on the long term sustainability of the fish; with Fraser First Nations working together, the sustainable future of both the resource and the people will be possible.
Engage First Nations, government agencies and community groups/NGOs
This is a First Nations project. Engagement with government agencies will be possible once the primary goal - a functioning Nation to Nation organization - is reached.
Complement or implement local and / or regional plans (e.g., recovery plans, watershed plans)
This project will eventually complement and contribute to positive ramifications for integrated harvest management planning, habitat and stock restoration, and ecosystem recovery for Fraser salmon.
Value-added aspects
This project will contribute greatly to the strengthening of First Nation to First Nation relationships, with a resulting positive influence on policy and decision making processes between First Nations and other governments and their agencies.
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