Working with Indigenous communities.

Outdoor recreation in B.C. takes place on the lands and waters of Indigenous Peoples.

Recreation organizations have a responsibility to understand whose territories they are working in, respect Indigenous rights and interests, and build relationships based on listening, trust and mutual benefit.

Every Nation, community and relationship is different. There is no single checklist for doing this work well, but there are practical steps every organization can take to begin.

Start here

Guidance Toolkit for Engagement with Indigenous Communities

Not sure how to begin a conversation with an Indigenous community? This toolkit is a practical starting point.

It helps outdoor recreation groups approach relationship-building in a respectful, thoughtful and informed way. It includes guidance on preparing before reaching out, making initial contact, listening to community priorities and building relationships over time.

Use the toolkit to help your organization:

• Understand the context before reaching out

• Identify the appropriate Indigenous communities

• Prepare for respectful conversations

• Communicate clearly about your organization and proposed work

• Listen to and respond to community interests and concerns

• Build relationships that extend beyond a single project or request

Explore the Engagement Toolkit

Four places to begin

1. Learn whose territory you are in

Before beginning a project or reaching out to a community, take time to understand the Indigenous Nations connected to the lands and waters where your organization works.

Maps can provide a useful starting point, but they do not replace information provided directly by Indigenous Nations.

You may also want to learn about:

• The Nation’s history, governance and current priorities

• Indigenous place names

• Cultural and archaeological values

• Existing stewardship or land-use plans

• Agreements or protocols that may apply

• Previous relationships with recreation groups or land managers

Useful starting points include the First Peoples’ Map of B.C., the B.C. Assembly of First Nations community map and local Indigenous Nation websites.

2. Reach out early

Do not wait until your plans are complete before making contact.

Relationships are stronger when Indigenous communities have a meaningful opportunity to help shape a project from the beginning. Introduce your organization, explain what you are considering and ask how the Nation would prefer to be involved.

Be clear about:

• Who you are

• What your organization does

• What you are proposing

• Where the project or activity would take place

• What decisions have already been made

• What remains open for discussion

• Your timelines and funding constraints

• What you are asking of the community

Avoid sending a finished proposal and asking for approval. Early conversations can help identify concerns, opportunities and better approaches before your plans are finalized.

3. Listen and be prepared to change course

Engagement is not simply about gaining support for a plan your organization has already developed.

A Nation may identify cultural, environmental, access or governance considerations that your organization had not understood. The project may need to change, move more slowly or take a different direction.

Approach conversations with curiosity. Ask questions, listen carefully and avoid becoming defensive when concerns are raised.

Respectful engagement may sometimes mean:

• Changing a trail alignment

• Avoiding a culturally sensitive area

• Adjusting the timing of an activity

• Adding cultural interpretation

• Creating employment or contracting opportunities

• Supporting Indigenous stewardship priorities

• Pausing or reconsidering a project

4. Build a relationship, not a transaction

A respectful relationship should not end when a permit is issued, a trail is built or a funding application is submitted.

Stay in contact. Share updates. Follow through on commitments. Ask how your organization can support community priorities and look for opportunities to work together beyond a single project.

Trust develops through consistent actions over time.

What can working together look like?

There is no single model. The right approach depends on the Nation, the place and the project.

Relationships may include:

• Indigenous leadership in recreation planning

• Shared stewardship of trails and recreation areas

• Cultural interpretation and Indigenous place names

• Employment and contracting opportunities

• Youth programs and training

• Monitoring and restoration projects

• Agreements that clarify responsibilities and decision-making

• Changes to routes or activities to protect cultural and ecological values

• Indigenous-led recreation, tourism and conservation initiatives

The approach should be developed together.