April 13, 2023 - Islands Trust Receives Provincial Grant to Support Engagement with First Nations

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Bowen, Denman, Gabriola, Galiano, Gambier, Hornby, Lasqueti, Mayne, N. Pender, Salt Spring, Saturna, S. Pender, Thetis 
 
 
April 13, 2023 – for immediate release 2023-04-IT 
 
Islands Trust Receives Provincial Grant to Support Engagement with First Nations  
 
Lək
̓
 ʷəŋən, METULIYE/Victoria, B.C. – Islands Trust will be continuing its work to develop stronger relationships with First 
Nations in the Islands Trust Area through protocol agreements and regular engagement, supported by a grant from the 
Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Province of British Columbia.   
 
"We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Municipal 
Affairs,” said Islands Trust Council Chair Peter Luckham. “It is so important that we all work together to preserve and 
protect the islands and surrounding waters in the Salish Sea. We welcome this financial boost as we strive to build 
meaningful relationships and foster opportunities for knowledge-sharing during this new term of office.”  
 
The Province of British Columbia has approved a $150,000 grant to Islands Trust for the general purpose of developing 
protocol agreements and engagement with First Nations in the Trust Area, to be used over the course of the next five 
years.  
 
In 2021, the Province of British Columbia amended the Islands Trust Act to include a specific reference to First Nations in 
the Trust’s Object statement to recognize its ongoing relationship and reconciliation efforts with First Nations.  
 
In March 2023, the Islands Trust Council approved a protocol agreement with Snaw-naw-as First Nation and referred it to 
the Ministry of Municipal Affairs for approval. The Islands Trust has existing protocol agreements with Lyackson First 
Nation and Snuneymuxw First Nation. 
 
The Islands Trust Area is located in the treaty lands and territories of the BOḰEĆEN, Cowichan Tribes, K’ómoks, Lyackson, 
MÁLEXEȽ, Qualicum, scəẃaθən, səlilwətaɬ, SEMYOME, shíshálh, Sḵwx
̱
wú7mesh, Snaw-naw-as, Snuneymuxw, Songhees, 
Spune’luxutth’, SȾÁUTW
̱
, Stz’uminus, ɬaʔəmen, Ts'uubaa-asatx, Wei Wai Kum, We Wai Kai, W
̱
 JOȽEȽP, W
̱
 SIḴEM, Xeláltxw, 
Xwémalhkwu, Xwsepsum, and xʷməθkʷəy
̓
əm First Nations. 
 
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Islands Trust is a special-purpose government representing over 30,000 people living within the Islands Trust Area and 
10,000 non-resident property owners. The Islands Trust Area is located within Coast Salish territory and is the homeland 
to many Coast Salish Peoples who have called this place home since time immemorial. Islands Trust is responsible for 
preserving and protecting the Islands Trust Area's unique amenities and environment through conservation-oriented land 
use planning and regulation, education, and cooperation with First Nations and other agencies. The Islands Trust Area 
covers the islands and waters between the British Columbia mainland and southern Vancouver Island. It includes 13 
major islands and more than 450 smaller isla

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