Community Engagement Framework for Land Use Planning Projects

Extracted text (beginning)

Community Engagement 
Framework for  
Land Use Planning Projects
www.islandstrust.bc.ca

Contents
Land Acknowledgment.....................................................3
Reflections on Reconciliation and Engagement................3
Purpose Statement...........................................................4
What is community engagement?....................................4
Why we engage................................................................4
How do we engage............................................................5
Ways to engage.................................................................5 
When do local trust committees engage on projects?......6 
How decisions are made by local trust committees..........5
Appendix...........................................................................7
2

Land Acknowledgment
Islands Trust and Islands Trust Conservancy respectfully acknowledge that the lands and waters that 
encompass the Islands Trust Area have been home to Indigenous Peoples since time immemorial. 
We are committed to reconciliation and to working together to preserve and protect this ecologically, 
culturally, and spiritually significant region in the Salish Sea. The Islands Trust Area is located 
within the treaty lands and territories of the BOḰEĆEN, Cowichan Tribes, K’ómoks, Lyackson, 
MÁLEXEȽ, Qualicum, scəẃaθən, səl
̓
ilwətaɬ, SEMYOME, shíshálh, Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh, Snaw-naw-as, 
Snuneymuxw, Songhees, Spune’luxutth, S  Ⱦ  Á  U  T  W̱, Stz’uminus, ɬaʔəmen, Ts’uubaa-asatx, Wei Wai 
Kum, We Wai Kai, W̱   JOȽEȽP, W̱       S  I  Ḵ  E  M, Xeláltxw, Xwémalhkwu, Xwsepsum, and xʷməθkʷəy
̓
əm 
First Nations.
Reflections on Reconciliation and Engagement 
In 2019, Islands Trust Council passed a Reconciliation Declaration that commits the organization 
to “establishing and maintaining mutually respectful relationships between Indigenous and non-
Indigenous Peoples. Islands Trust states a commitment to Reconciliation with the understanding 
that this commitment is a long term relationship-building and healing process.” 
Islands Trust bodies can advance this declaration by acknowledging the history and impacts of 
colonialism and systemic racism against Indigenous Peoples during engagement processes. This 
may include honouring the Indigenous homelands on which Islands Trust resides and operates, 
while being mindful of our roles in these endeavors.   
Islands Trust bodies can strive to forge new relationships and explore culturally respectful 
methods of engagement and trust-building. This can include ongoing efforts to foster 
meaningful connections and to promote understanding with First Nation governments and 
Indigenous peoples.
It is a best practice to establish two distant yet interconnected streams for engagement. Efforts 
made with First Nations governments and/or Indigenous peoples may not always be visible to 
the public, but this does not imply a lack of activity behind the scenes. Islands Trust bodies may 
also engage with

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