Moving From Dialogue To Partnership 10 Years of Relationship Building COMMUNITY TO COMMUNITY FORUM RETROSPECTIVE March 10, 2006 Vancouver

Moving From Dialogue To Partnership 10 Years of Relationship Building Beginning the Dialogue Recognition that local governments and First Nations have much in common: We face many of the same challenges in providing services to our residents; and As neighbouring communities, we live with the same regional, economic and environmental realities.

Moving From Dialogue To Partnership 10 Years of Relationship Building Province-Wide Forums …a day of dialogue Identifying guiding principles for structuring local government-First Nation relations Toolkit on key areas of joint interest: economic development, natural resource management, land use and services, and government linkages Dispute resolution and pursuing joint opportunities Moving from dialogue to partnership.

Moving From Dialogue To Partnership 10 Years of Relationship Building Regional Forums... Building Understanding regional forums over five years Gold stars Regional District of East Kootenay Central Coast Regional District City of Vernon Village of Hazelton “We need to keep working on issues that may not seem to be workable and if they aren’t, they should be reworked and reworked until they are.” 2001 Forum Participant

Moving From Dialogue To Partnership 10 Years of Relationship Building The North Central Municipal Association and the Northwest Tribal Treaty Nations hold a series of regional economic forums. Many local governments and First Nations open up the lines of communication for the first time. Highlights /2004

Moving From Dialogue To Partnership 10 Years of Relationship Building Highlights /2005 The Village of Burns Lake and Lake Babine Nation sign a new Municipal Servicing Agreement. The Sunshine Coast RD and the Sechelt Indian Band sign a landmark Joint Watershed Management Agreement. Ladysmith and the Chemainus First Nation hold a first ever roundtable in conjunction with a historic Canoe Tribal Journey. Creston and Smithers meet with neighbouring First Nations to discuss regional library service.

Moving From Dialogue To Partnership 10 Years of Relationship Building Highlights /2006 East Kootenay RD, Central Kootenay RD, member municipalities and Ktunaxa Nation sign MOU. Fraser Valley RD signs MOU and Protocol Agreements with Yale First Nation and In-SHUCK-ch Nation. Okanagan Indian Band signs Protocol Agreements with the District of Lake Country and the Village of Lumby.

Moving From Dialogue To Partnership 10 Years of Relationship Building Regional Highlights /2006 Williams Lake signs Protocol Agreement with the Cariboo Tribal Council Treaty Society and the Xats’ull First Nation. Winalagalis Treaty Society and Mount Waddington RD jointly pursue development of study to investigate what may be regional economic benefits and opportunities of a treaty in their area.

Moving From Dialogue To Partnership 10 Years of Relationship Building Realizing Opportunities Through Forums Open up the lines of communications; Formalize working relationships; Learn about each others day-to-day operations; Build cultural understanding and awareness; Discuss in-detail specific topics of mutual interest or concern; and Form mutually beneficial partnerships.

Moving From Dialogue To Partnership 10 Years of Relationship Building Evidence of Improved Relations More Dialogue More Formal Government to Government Agreements More Partnerships Questions ?

Moving From Dialogue To Partnership 10 Years of Relationship Building Today’s Agenda “It is with the kind of leadership that is expressed by you being here, that we will indeed be able to find the solutions to many of the difficult situations that we find ourselves faced with.” - Kathryn Teneese, Former FNS Task Group Member, 2003 Province-wide Forum. “This is a significant event because it sends a strong message that we in this room and those we represent, are committed to building relationships between our communities and our governments. We recognize that cooperative government to government relationships at the local level bring direct economic, social and environmental benefits for all of us.” - Jim Abram, Past UBCM President, 2001 Province-wide Forum.