Letter First Nations re Climate Emergency

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200-1627 Fort Street, Victoria BC  V8R 1H8 
Telephone  (250) 405-5151    Fax  (250) 405-5155 
Toll Free via Enquiry BC in Vancouver 660-2421.  Elsewhere in BC 1.800.663.7867 
Email  information@islandstrust.bc.ca 
Web  www.islandstrust.bc.ca 
 
 
Bowen  Denman  Hornby  Gabriola Galiano  Gambier  Lasqueti  Mayne  North Pender  Salt Spring  Saturna  South Pender  Thetis 
July 19, 2019             File No. 0400-70 
 
BC Assembly of First Nations 
1004 Landooz Road 
Prince George, BC  V2K 5S3 
Via email:  patricia.rojas@bcafn.ca 
First Nations Summit 
1200 – 100 Park Royal South 
West Vancouver, BC  V7T 1A2 
Via email:  cbraker@fns.bc.ca 
Union of BC Indian Chiefs 
401 – 312 Main Street 
Vancouver, BC  V6A 2T2 
Via email:  andrea@ubcic.bc.ca 
 
Dear Respected Leaders & Chiefs: 
 
Re: Climate Change Emergency & First Nations Engagement 
 
Thank you for your letter dated June 27, 2019.  On behalf of the Islands Trust Executive Committee and 
myself, we look forward to collaborating with the First Nations Leadership Council on this critical and 
vital work of climate change.   
 
The mandate noted in your letter is fundamental to the work that the Islands Trust Council is 
undertaking over the next four years.  On March 14, 2019, the Council unanimously passed the Islands 
Trust Reconciliation Declaration (attachment 1), and on June 19, 2019, the Council unanimously passed 
a Reconciliation Action Plan 2019-2022.  Over the next year, we plan to begin reviewing the Islands Trust 
Policy Statement to ensure that it supports and is guided by the United Nations Declaration on the 
Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action.  In addition, as part of the 
impacts we are seeing due to climate change, Islands Trust Council is seeking a moratorium on Pacific 
herring fishing in the Salish Sea (attachment 2).  First Nations Leadership Council advocacy to accomplish 
these goals would be greatly appreciated.   
 
The Islands Trust would welcome the opportunity to meet to foster dialogue and have our work 
informed by the First Nations Leadership Council.  There are many challenges facing the lands and 
waters of the Salish Sea and we feel it is vital to begin this important work together to strengthen our 
voices and to share knowledge and technical expertise to ensure that we preserve and protect this place 
now and for our children’s children.   
 
I would welcome an invitation to meet with your leadership and attend a BC First Nations Climate 
Change Session.  Again, thank you for your letter and we look forward to engaging in this important 
work to advance recognition and reconciliation.   
 
With great respect, 
 
Peter Luckham 
Chair, Islands Trust Council 
250-210-2553 
pluckham@islandstrust.bc.ca       
   .../2 

 
 
Respected Leaders and Chiefs 
July 18, 2019 
Page 2 
 
 
Attachments: 
 
1. Islands Trust Reconciliation Declaration 
2. Draft Letter to The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson on Pacific Herring Moratorium 
 
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