The CRD conducts its business within the Territories of many First Nations, including but not limited to BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), MÁLEXEȽ (Malahat), P’a:chi:da?aht (Pacheedaht), Spune’luxutth’ (Penelekut), Sc'ianew (Beecher Bay), Songhees, SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout), T’Sou-ke, W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip), W̱SIKEM (Tseycum), and xʷsepsəm (Esquimalt), all of whom have a long-standing relationship with the land and waters from time immemorial that continues to this day.

The First Nations Relations Division supports the CRD and its Board to build strong and enduring relationships with neighboring First Nations governments. 

Statement of Reconciliation

The CRD's Statement of Reconciliation was approved by the Board in 2018.

 

    Economic Development Partnership Model

    The report identifies areas of opportunity within its service structure to advance reconciliation through economic development.

    Special Task Force Final Report

    At the October 10, 2018 meeting, the CRD Board approved a set of recommendations from the Final Report of the Special Task Force on First Nations Relations.

    The Final Report provides a summary of activities and some lessons learned over the course of the Task Force’s four year term and presents eight recommendations for the Board’s consideration. The recommendations capture the Task Force’s view of optimal next steps to guide the CRD’s path towards a more inclusive governance model for the region.

    The Special Task Force was established in 2015 as a concrete step in demonstrating that government-to-government relationship-building is a priority focus of the Board. The final report was delivered in 2018 and an ongoing First Nations Relations Standing Committee was established in 2019.

     

    Governance

    The CRD Board, made up of representatives from the region's 13 municipalities and 3 Electoral Areas, has acknowledged that the lack of First Nations representation on the Board is a significant gap in regional governance. In an effort to "make the region whole", the CRD Board approved a number of bylaw changes to provide for the inclusion of First Nations elected representatives on CRD standing committees.

    Government-to-Government Relationship Building Initiative

    The CRD’s Government-to-Government Relationship Building Initiative was launched in 2023 to strengthen relationships with First Nations in the region, understand how each Nation would like to collaborate with the CRD, co-create mechanisms that support respectful engagement, and identify priority topics to inform the development of a CRD Reconciliation Action Plan. The Government-to-Government Relationship Building Initiative Summary Report (PDF) identifies the key themes heard in the feedback from First Nations and makes recommendations to inform the CRD’s next steps. 

    Indigenous Employment

    Building on prior recommendations, the CRD retained a consultant in 2022 to learn how First Nations and Indigenous organizations in the capital region would like to be engaged on employment initiatives, assess CRD readiness to collaborate on employment partnerships and initiatives with Indigenous partners, and research and report on wise practices related to Indigenous employment and workplace cultural safety.

    These three reports are the outcome of this project and contain recommendations for how the CRD can become a more desirable workplace for prospective Indigenous employees.

    Memorandum of Understanding

    The CRD and paaʔčiidʔatx̣ (Pacheedaht) First Nation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2024, formalizing their government-to-government relationship.

    Forum of All Councils

    The Special Task Force recommended an Annual Forum of All Councils to build relationships between First Nations and local governments. On June 11, 2016 at the First Peoples House at UVic, a Forum of Councils was held with a special focus on Indigenous cultural acumen training. Forums were also held in 2019 and 2023.

     

    Service Delivery

    The CRD provides a diverse range of over 200 services to member municipalities and First Nations governments. Types of service agreements the CRD has with First Nations range from water provision, wastewater treatment, fire protection, building inspection and animal control. The CRD seeks to ensure that any services contracted to First Nations are accountable, equitable and consistently delivered.

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    Additional Resources

    First Nations Census Info

    Regional Census Info has been released by Statistics Canada. Find fact sheets summarizing this data under Census Profiles, CRD Regional Information.

    Contact Us

    Caitlyn Vernon
    Manager, First Nations Relations
    250.360.3156
    Email

    Shauna Huculak
    Manager, Archaeology, First Nations Relations
    250.360.3622
    Email

    Erin Bildfell
    Advisor, First Nations Relations
    250.350.3640
    Email

    Sandra Allen
    Administrative Support Clerk
    250.360.3236
    Email