Pondosey Bay Wilderness Resort, Taylor Burk - Fraser Basin Council
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 Welcome & Acknowledgements The Nechako Watershed Roundtable (NWR) was established in 2015 to address this need for 4 Strategic Plan collaboration and to develop a strategy to further 6 Youth Engagement Working Group advance the vision of a healthy Nechako … Building on past collaboration in the region, the 7 Nechako First Nations & RDBN MOU NWR is a group of representatives from a 8 Nechako Engagement diversity of organizations, local governments, First Nations, private sector and federal and provincial 9 Updates & Initiatives from the agencies with a shared concern and commitment Watershed to protect and improve the health of the Nechako 12 Attendees watershed (Fraser Basin Council 2016; p.4). Page 2 Canva Stock Photo
WELCOME & ACKOWLEDGEMENTS The 6th Annual Meeting of the Nechako Watershed Roundtable, entitled "Better Together: A New Phase of Collaboration and Partnership" took place on November 17th, 2021 from 9:00am to 12:30pm. The meeting was held virtually due to the covid-19 pandemic. The Nechako Watershed Roundtable (NWR) is grateful to the Saik'uz First Nation for the opportunity to virtually host the Annual Meeting on their Traditional Territory near Vanderhoof, BC. We would like to thank Rodeney Teed, Saik'uz Elder and Councillor for providing a welcome to the territory. Professor Margot Parkes and Councillor Kevin Moutray, Nechako Watershed Roundtable Core Committee Co-chairs, chaired the meeting and provided opening remarks. Thank you to the following individuals for their contributions to this years annual meeting: Joan Chess, Kim Menounos, Jordan Cranmer, Clint Lambert, Jackie Thomas, David Luggi, Gerry Thiessen, Mike Robertson, Keith West and Jasmine Thomas. Funding to support the NWR in 2021 is provided by Carrier Sekani Tribal Council, Cheslatta Carrier Nation, District of Vanderhoof, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Fraser Basin Council, Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, Regional District of Bulkley Nechako, Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, and the University of Northern British Columbia. The purpose of this document is to summarize the key learnings from the annual meeting. The meeting package including the agenda and a complete recording of the meeting are available to members at www.fraserbasin.bc.ca/Nechako_Watershed_Roundtable.html Page i Page 3
STRATEGIC PLAN Presented by: Joan Chess and Kim Menounos (Fraser Basin Council) The NWR is pleased to launch its first ever Strategic Plan. The purpose of the plan is to guide the NWR's activities over the next five years. Recognizing that the NWR has no formal jurisdiction authority, the NWR strategic plan is to provide focus to the NWR's primary role as a collaborative body that convenes and connects related efforts across the watershed. The plan is intended to guide how the NWR works with others to benefit ecosystems, communities, and the vision of a healthy watershed for future generations. The planning process began in the Fall of 2020. A number of methods were used to seek input from Roundtable members and others interested in the Nechako Watershed. Approximately 93 people participated in "in-person" activities, an online questionnaire, open-house discussions and telephone interviews. Planned in-person "learning journey" engagements were thwarted by COVID-19 restrictions for gathering. The strategic planning process reconfirmed the vision, the NWR's roles, and important areas of focus, which in turn lead to identifying strategic priorities, goals and projects. See the table on page 5. The NWR would like to thank everyone who participated in the strategic planning process and the ongoing support of its members. Page 4 Burns Lake, 6ix Sigma Productions
STRATEGIC PLAN The Strategic Plan is a living document and we invite people to review and provide feedback. The full Strategic Plan, Executive Summary and one-pager can be found at www.fraserbasin.bc.ca/Nechako_Watershed_Roundtable.html FIRST NATIONS, REGIONAL DISTRICTS, & MUNICIPALITIES IN THE NECHAKO WATERSHED Binche Whut'en Nak'azdli First Nation Ts’il Kaz Koh First Nation Prince George Cheslatta Carrier Nation Nee Tahi Buhn Band Wet’suwet’en First Nation Vanderhoof Lake Babine Nation Saik’uz First Nation Yekooche First Nation Fraser Lake Lheidli T’enneh First Skin Tyee Nation Regional District of Fort St. James Nation Stellat’en First Nation Bulkley-Nechako Burns Lake Nadleh Whut’en First Takla Lake First Nation Regional District of Nation Tl’azt’en Nation Fraser-Fort George Page 5
YOUTH ENGAGEMENT WORKING GROUP Presented by: Jordan Cranmer, NWR Youth Engagement Working Group Lead The NWR established a Youth Engagement Working Group in 2019, enabling youth participation in NWR meetings and allowing youth to determine how they want to engage with the watershed and identify meaningful projects that are "designed for youth, by youth". Youth were involved in several in-person engagement activities during the participatory phase of the NWR strategic plan development. Nechako Valley Secondary School youth engagement project is ongoing. In August, 12 youth, 2 facilitators and 2 guides participated in a canoe trip. The purpose of this trip was to facilitate youth interaction with the river system. In October 2020 the NWR in partnership with UNBC initiated an Indigenous youth video project. The film entitled, 'Stories from the Nechako: Youth Perspectives' is now complete. The purpose of the film is to document the Nechako through the stories, history and culture of individuals living on the watershed. Ten youth from the watershed developed questions to ask elders and other community members, which are documented in the film. Individuals featured in the film are: David Coombs (Takla Nation Youth), Jeremiah Korolyk (Takla Nation Youth), Desmond West (Takla Nation Youth), Pierre Charlie (Takla Nation Youth), Steven Wright (Cheslatta Carrier Nation Youth), Trista Joseph (Yekooche Fist Nation Youth), Kim Menounos (Fraser Basin Council), Henery Abel Joseph (Elder, Yekooche Fist Nation), Minnie Peter (Elder, Cheslatta Carrier Nation), Mike Robertson (Senior Policy Advisor, Cheslatta Carrier Nation). Special thanks to Johnathan French and Jordan Cranmer for producing the video. A public launch event of the NWR Indigenous Youth Video Project will take place in 2022. Stay tuned for event details. Page 6 'Stories from the Nechako: Youth Perspectives'
NECHAKO FIRST NATIONS & RDBN MOU Panel discussion featuring: Jackie Thomas (Saik'uz First Nation), David Luggi (Panelist, Stellat'en Fist Nation), Gerry Thiessen (Panelist, Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako, Margot Parkes (Moderator, NWR Co-chair). A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on Septmeber 29th, 2021 between Nadleh Whuten, Saik'us Fisrt Nation, Stellat'en First Nation and the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako. The MOU comes as a result of concerns surrounding the impacts of the Kenney Dam and the Nechako River Reservoir by Rio Tinto Alcan. The parties have a mutual interest in implementing a new flow regime and will explore a new governance mechanism involving Nechako Fist Nations with the intent to restore the health of the river and its tributaries for the benifit of the aquatic life, other wildlife, the Nechako Fisrt Nations communities and other non-Indigenous residents of the Nechako Watershed. In early 2121 Nechako First Nations approached the RDBN to begin discussions on impacts to the river. The Board of the RDBN adopted a resolution on February 25, 2021. This is the first MOU of its kind in British Columbia. The panelists agree that while there is much work to be done, this MOU is a step forward in the reconciliation process. David Luggi shared historical photos of the Nechako First Nations, highlighting changes in the reservoiur between 1950 and 1902. David is willing to share these images and the NWR upon request. The full MOU document can be found at https://www.rdbn.bc.ca/application/files/4316/3286/0602/RTA_- _MOU_with_Regional_District_of_Bulkley-Nechako_Execution_Copy.pdf? fbclid=IwAR2sFxTUinyck8NJ_MwxnTqrL4dY1sBFp0x_0H6rLK_3p62vylA2gzYjW4U Page 7 Gloria Quaw, Cheslatta Carrier Nation Elder at Pondosy Bay Wilderness Resort, Taylor Burk
NECHAKO ENGAGEMENT Video Premiere: ' Stories from the Nechako: The Nechako Watershed Roundtable' In October 2021 the NWR in partnership with Environment and Climate Change Canada, Fraser Basin Council, Koh-Learning in Our Watersheds and the University of Northern British Columbia began work on a short film that introduces viewers to the Nechako River and the issues facing communities through the NWR. The video entitled, 'Stories from the Nechako: The Nechako Watershed Roundtable', has now been completed and we are thrilled to be able to share it with the membership. The video includes: Geographic location, size and communities of the Nechako Watershed. The overarching goal of the NWR, "the health of the watershed". Diverse stakeholders and membership of the NWR. Impact to the watershed by industry and climate change. Project highlights in the watershed, including the impact to the Nechako White Sturgeon and the Nechako White Sturgeon Conservation Centre. Featured members: Kim Menounos (Regional Manager - Northern Interior, Fraser Basin Council), Wayne Salewsky (NWR Core Committee Member/ NEWSS Director) and Jordon Cranmer (NWR Youth Engagement Coordinator/ Nechako White Sturgeon Centre). Special thanks to Johnathan French and Jordan Cranmer for producing the video. The NWR Core Committee and Secretariat are working on a distribution plan for the 'Stories from the Nechako' videos. Look for an update at the next Technical Meeting. Page 1` Page 8 Wayne Selewski at Nechako White Sturgeon Recovery Centre in Vanderhoof, Mike Seehagel
UPDATES & INITIATIVES FROM THE WATERSHED Presented by: Mike Robertson, Senior Policy Advisor, Cheslatta Carrier Nation In the spring of 2021, the Cheslatta Carrier Nation undertook a mapping project to accurately illustrate the the effects of the the creation of the Nechako Reservoir on the Nechako river system and the communities that were once there. A video presentation was created using old bathymetric data from the pre-flood era and integrated LiDAR technology to show the Nechako watershed pre and post flood. Marco Jorge, "technical wizard" played an integral part in overlaying the data for a full visual representation. Mike gave a verbal walk through of the the graphical tour shown in the video. 1950 Alcan receives a water license giving the company rights to surface water above the Nechako Grand Canyon. Surface area of the the reservoir is about 240,000 acres or about 100,000 hectares. The reservoir is the second largest body of of fresh water in British Columbia. The shoreline of the reservoir is over 3,2ookm. Over 140,000 acres or 57,000 hectares of farmland and forested lands were flooded. The video maps the locations of pre-contact village sites and archeological sites that are now submerged. Work on this project will continue, with a focus of including the Cheslatta and Tetachuck systems in more detail. Mike is happy to give a similar presentation to other interested groups. Page 9
UPDATES & INITIATIVES FROM THE WATERSHED Presented by: Keith West & Cory Williamson, Takla Nation Lands Department Keith and Cory gave an overview of Takla Nations interest from a fisheries perspective. Key messages included: The impacts on salmon and subsequently the Takla Nation culture have been extreme. Historically three salmon runs populated Takla Lake: the Early Stuart Sockeye run, a Chinook salmon run from the Driftwood River and Chinook salmon run from the Sakaneechi River. Salmon restoration is a big part of Takla culture and reconciliation. Leadership has identified restoration as a main priority when handing the territory down to next generations. NWR priority project, community based lake monitoring (Limnology Project) is continuing. Takla Nation is taking leadership to provide opportunities for salmon restoration. They have hired technically inclined individuals and are working with partners in the watershed. In 2020 the Takla Nation purchase a "Hatchery in a Can", now situated on the bank of the Takla Lake. Integris Credit Union has provided $30,000 over two years to help the project get started. A stream restoration project was completed this year. The stream is one that will be used for releasing fry from the hatchery. More work to be done on restoring other streams. Working with DFO on major limnology project in coming year. Page 10
UPDATES & INITIATIVES FROM THE WATERSHED Presented by: Jasmine Thomas, Saik'uz First Nation The Nations are collectively working to advance the water policies and laws set out in the 'Yinka Dene 'Uza'hne Surface Water Management Policy'. The policy sets forth a direction for the Nations to maintain and manage their own water systems and the impacts to waters systems to be considered more formally. Saik'uz adopted water law, with the Blackwater Mine project being the first project where it was implemented. Work to be done in considering how these policies and laws can be implemented in other projects. The first two minutes of the newly completed video production, 'Old Growth, New Beginnings' was shown. The film highlights the impacts of logging to the Saik'uz territory, including the changing landscape and diversity. The 13:03 minute production is made up of four parts: (1) Growth, (2) How we got here, (3) A positive relationship and (4) New Beginnings. Saik'uz First Nation and NWR pilot project currently in the works. Stay tuned for more information. The 'Yinka Dene 'Uza'Hne Surface Water Management Policy' can be found at stellaten.ca/wp- content/uploads/2019/10/Yinka-Dene-Uzahne-Surface-Water-Management-Policy-March-18-2016- 00303183xC6E53.pdf View the complete 'Old Growth, New Beggingins' video at https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=OqBF_2GNBUk In partnership with UNBCs Integrated Watershed Research Group, the NWR portal is being revamped and rebooted. Page 11 'Old Growth, New Beginnings', Saik'uz First Nation
ATTENDEES Andrew Lecuyer, Rio Tinto Judy Greenaway, District of Fort St. James Art Kaehn, RDFFG June Wood, Nechako Retreat Ashley Raphael, Saik'uz First Nation Justine Nelson, Rivershed BC Barry Booth, UNBC Katherine Van Dam, UNBC Chelton vanGeloven, Province of BC Keith West, Takla First Nation Christiana Onabola, UNBC Kevin Kriese, Forest Practices Board Clint Lambert, RDBN & NWR Core Committee Kevin Dobbin, Rio Tino Cory Williamson, Takla First Nation Kevin Moutray, District of Vanderhoof & NWR Core Committee Daniel Wingham, Integris Credit Union Kim Menounos, FBC & NWR Core Committee David Luggi, Stellat'en First Nation Kirsten McNeill, Province of BC Deborah Koehn Lara Volgyesi, Rivershed BC Denis Wood, Nechako Retreat Leanne Elliott, Province of BC Diana Kutzner, UNBC Lori Borth, Province of BC Emily Perason, Rivershed BC Margot Parkes, UNBC & NWR Core Committee Gerald Pinchbeck, District of Vanderhoof Mia Moutray, SD91 Gerry Thiessen, District of Vanderhoof Mike Robertson, Cheslatta Carrier Nation & NWR Core Committee Gina Layte Liston, NWR Core Committee Murial Sam, Nak'azdli Whut'en First Nation Hart Banack, UNBC Nadia Nowak Ian Rogalski, ECCC Norm Bilodeau, NWR Core Comittee Isabelle Szabo, Rivershed BC Olga Schwartzkopf Jackie Thomas, Saik'uz First Nation Patty Borek, SD91 James Jacklin, Province of BC Rahul Ray, EDI Environmental Dynamics Inc. Jasmine Thomas, Saik'uz First Nation Ray Pillipow, Province of BC Jayson Kurtz, Ecofish Research Ltd. Rodney Teed, Saik'uz First Nation Jeremy Morris, UNBC Stephen Dery, UNBC Jerry Petersen, RDBN Susan Scott, City of Prince George Jim D'Andrea, Regrowth Consulting Susi Porter-Bopp, First Nations Fisheries Council Joan Chess, Planning Consultant Taddea Kunkel, RDBN John DeGagne, Province of BC Tavia McKinnon, UNBC Jordan Cranmer, UNBC Wayne Salewski, NEWSS & NWR Core Committee Additional Information The meeting package including the agenda and a complete recording of the meeting are available to members at www.fraserbasin.bc.ca/Nechako_Watershed_Roundtable.html Please connect with the NWR Coordinator at nwrcoordinator@gmail.com to request any additional information from the meeting or about the NWR. Page 12
Contact Nechako Watershed Roundtable 1511 3rd Ave, Prince George, BC, V2L 3G3 nwrcoordinator@gmail.com https://www.fraserbasin.bc.ca/Nechako_Wa tershed_Roundtable.html Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, Taylor Burk
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