Planning for the Co-management of the Metlakatla First Nation Conservancies

Conservancies are a new and unique type of protected area in British Columbia that explicitly recognizes First Nations’ rights to social, ceremonial and cultural uses of the area. Conservancies, and the Conservancy Management Plans (CMPs) that direct them, are informed by a Collaborative Management Agreement (CMA) that is negotiated on a government-to-government basis between the First Nation and the Province of BC. Since 2008, the Metlakatla First Nation and BC Parks have designated 28 conservancies within their Traditional Territory, five of which have CMPs to be finalized and implemented this year. While these plans provide an opportunity for equitable and effective co-management of the Metlakatla Conservancies in theory, it remains to be seen whether or not they will be implemented successfully in practice. By reviewing academic literature and government documents, performing an inventory of the Metlakatla’s current management capacity, and conducting interviews, this research seeks to identify the actions that…TOBECONT’D

Faculty Supervisor:

Murray Rutherford

Student:

Partner:

Metlakatla Development Corporation

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Public administration

University:

Simon Fraser University

Program: