First Nations Engagement Phase 2 Summary Report

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Islands Trust  First Nations Engagement Phase 2 Report   Page 1 
First Nations Engagement Phase 2 Summary Report 
Islands 2050 - Policy Statement Amendment Project 
 
 
 
Early & Meaningful Engagement Phase 2 
In July 2021, Trust Council directed staff to initiate a second phase of early and meaningful engagement 
with First Nations on the Islands Trust Policy Statement. This second phase of engagement (September 
2021 – June 2022) invited First Nations governments, treaty alliances, tribal councils, and leadership 
councils across the Trust Area to review and comment on Draft Policy Statement Bylaw No. 183. It also 
gave those who had participated in Phase 1 of early and meaningful engagement an opportunity to see 
how their earlier feedback had been incorporated into the draft amendments. Formal referrals of the 
draft bylaw will occur after first reading.  
 
It is worthwhile underscoring that this is the first time in the history of Islands Trust that First Nations 
have been meaningfully engaged on the Policy Statement to ensure that their interests are reflected in 
the document. Working collaboratively on Policy Statement amendments is critical to building trusting 
relationships with First Nations in the Trust Area, addressing past wrongs, supporting informed land use 
decision making, and fulfilling Trust Council’s commitments to reconciliation. 
 
In September 2021, offers of capacity funding support were sent out to 30 First Nations, six Treaty 
Alliances and Tribal Councils, and two First Nations Leadership Councils, to review and provide comment 
on the draft new Policy Statement. In February 2022, capacity funding support was also offered to the 
Coast Salish People of Galiano Society. The capacity funding was accepted by seven First 
Nations/councils. Except where noted below, staff at these First Nations/councils have provided detailed 
comments for Trust Council’s consideration prior to further amendments to the draft bylaw.  
 Cowichan Tribes  
 K’ómoks First Nation 
 Lyackson First Nation  
 MÁLEXEȽ (Malahat) Nation 
 Snuneymuxw First Nation 
 Tla’amin First Nation 
 W
̱
SÁNEĆ Leadership Council (preliminary letter received, detailed comments expected this 
summer) 
 
During Phase 2, staff also began to engage with Indigenous community members living on the islands to 
build dialogue and understanding. Many Indigenous people living on the islands have connections to 
First Nations communities in the Trust Area - connections that may have been lost or weakened by the 
Indian Act, enfranchisement, marriage to non-Indigenous settlers, etc. Although Islands Trust has no 
statutory obligation to engage with individual Indigenous people, understanding the interests of 
Indigenous community members living in the Trust Area is important to the work of reconciliation. 
 
Comments received from Phase 2 capacity funding recipients have been posted in full to the  
Islands 2050 webpage, under the “First Nations Engagement Phase 2” p

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