Under the Canada Marine Act, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is a shared steward of the lands and waters that make up the Port of Vancouver. To balance our federal responsibility with consideration for local First Nations and their own traditional stewardship of the same area, we proactively engage with these groups regularly to foster meaningful engagement based on respect, recognition, and reconciliation. Building strong relationships is crucial since port-related activities can impact First Nations. We do this by:
- Upholding legal obligations
- Respecting culture and history
- Collaborating with First Nations
Land acknowledgement
The Port of Vancouver operates, with gratitude, on the traditional territories and treaty lands of several Coast Salish First Nations. The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s Canada Place and Oceanic Plaza offices sit on the traditional territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We recognize the enduring presence and stewardship of these First Nations over these lands and waters, and we are working to foster meaningful relationships and partnerships with the First Nations whose rich cultural heritage and connection to the land continue to shape the region.
Our commitments to reconciliation
Reconciliation is a journey of education and action to improve relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. Respecting and considering the rights, culture, and history of Indigenous peoples is essential to building strong and productive relationships and to mitigating negative effects that port-related activities may have on Indigenous groups. Fostering an understanding of reconciliation and the importance of renewed relationships with Indigenous peoples is a priority for the port authority.
We set out to negotiate and sign relationship agreements with local Nations in the Lower Mainland. These agreements represent formalized partnerships and help to create long-term, meaningful relationships that support a strong shared future marked by mutual respect and reconciliation.
Tsawwassen First Nation relationship agreement
On October 2, 2021, Tsawwassen First Nation and the port authority signed a landmark relationship agreement that reflected a joint commitment to act as partners in:
- Protecting Tsawwassen lands
- Upholding treaty rights
- Advancing the collective goals of environmental stewardship
The agreement also represented a promise to work together in a manner that reflects mutual respect and ensures that the parties are treated equally.
Musqueam Indian Band relationship agreement
On November 5, 2021, the port authority signed a historic multi-faceted, long-term relationship agreement with Musqueam Indian Band. Key highlights from the agreement include:
- Establishing a framework for effective collaboration between Musqueam and the port authority with respect to projects and operational procedures in the Port of Vancouver
- Creating a relationship committee made up of representatives from both Musqueam and the port authority
- Hiring a Musqueam member as a relationship advisor between the port authority and Musqueam
- Supporting areas of mutual interest, such as restoration of the Musqueam foreshore
- Developing employment, co-op, and educational opportunities
Indigenous peoples have unique rights that are enshrined in Canada’s constitution. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) provides an international framework to protect the individual and collective rights of Indigenous peoples. The declaration has been adopted by the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia as a plan for reconciliation. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act provides a road map for the government and Indigenous peoples to work together to fully implement the declaration.
The port authority recognizes the importance of reconciliation and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and is committed to adhering to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act within its mandate under the Canada Marine Act.
Port operations and infrastructure development can provide economic opportunities and benefits for Indigenous peoples through employment, business opportunities and community investment. Some of the ways we work to advance economic reconciliation with local First Nations include:
- Supporting initiatives that focus on community enrichment, education, and training, and environmental leadership through our community investment program
- Providing employment opportunities, as well as co-op programs and educational opportunities through scholarships
- Working collaboratively with First Nations to find areas of mutual economic benefit
Consulting with First Nations
The port authority has a legal duty to consult with First Nations any time a proposed project or development on port lands may adversely impact potential or established Aboriginal or treaty rights. When consulting with local First Nations, we align with guidelines set by the federal government, as well as following our own principles.
Our guiding principles for consultation
- We acknowledge the treaty lands and asserted traditional territories intersecting the lands and waters we manage
- We recognize that Indigenous consultation is different and separate from public engagement
- We enter all consultation processes in good faith
- When the duty to consult arises, we consult before decisions are made
- When possible, our consultation is coordinated with other agencies
- We strive for one point of contact
- Our consultation processes seek to be clear, open and honest
- Our consultation procedures are forward-looking