Engaging with First Nations in our Coastal Region
New this year! We expect applicants to engage early with First Nations
Strengthening the engagement of First Nations in FWCP-funded projects is a priority for our Coastal Region board and we are actively working to broaden the engagement of First Nations in the projects approved for funding by our Coastal Region board.
This year we expect all grant applicants in our Coastal Region to engage early with the appropriate First Nation(s) based on the location of your proposed project. Refer to the provincial Consultative Areas Database[1] to identify the appropriate First Nations. We recommend using a Nation’s referral portal(s) if one exists, or contacting the appropriate person(s) at the Nation(s) directly to engage early about your project idea.
Early engagement with First Nations should:
• occur prior to submitting your grant application;
• follow our guidance on early engagement;
• identify options for First Nations to engage with your project (e.g. provide input to the project, be part of the project team, provide in-kind or other support); and
• be documented in your grant application by describing which Nations you spoke with and the outcomes of those discussions.
Early engagement of First Nations will be a consideration in the evaluation of all Coastal Region grant applications received by the grant deadline on Monday, November 2, 2026.
If you are applying for a grant in our Coastal Region, follow our regional guidance for early engagement with First Nations. Register for our info session on Monday, June 29 and learn more about our expectations for early engagement with First Nations.
Engaging with First Nations in our Columbia and Peace Regions
If you are applying for a grant in our Columbia or Peace Regions, follow the instructions to submit your mandatory Notice of intent (NOI) by Friday, September 11. Register for our NOI info session on Thursday, August 6.
The NOI is an important part of our commitment to First Nations. It helps identify opportunities for First Nations' perspectives on and engagement in your project. The NOI also helps our Columbia and Peace region managers give you additional guidance to support your grant application.
Follow our guidance for early engagement with First Nations
When you connect with First Nations contacts, use these points to guide your discussion:
- First Nations priorities and values: Discuss specific priorities and values for the First Nation and identify how this information can be incorporated into the project scope.
- Community activity timelines and protocols: Discuss the timelines of the project activities relative to traditional, cultural, or community activities, and how to ensure there is no conflict between activities. The Nation may need you to follow certain protocols (e.g., research protocols) when working in their area, so ensure you discuss any existing protocols they may have.
- First Nations knowledge: Discuss opportunities to incorporate First Nations knowledge into the project scope.
- Training opportunities: Discuss and determine First Nations training opportunities related to the project (e.g., electrofishing certification). Costs associated with First Nations training can be included as a budget line item in the project application.
- Employment approach: Discuss a preferred approach to hiring First Nations members and determine appropriate daily rates for First Nations (e.g., hiring members on an individual basis or hiring through the First Nation or a First Nation-owned company).
- Sharing project results: Regardless of the type of relationship you are establishing with First Nations, sharing projects results with First Nations communities is an important component to consider in your project. Discuss a preferred approach to meaningfully share project results with First Nations (e.g., sharing report, community presentation etc.).
- Type of relationship: FWCP encourages meaningful involvement of First Nations to strengthen and maintain relationships with First Nations. FWCP has defined four types of relationships with, or support by, First Nations. We expect grant applicants to discuss options for involvement with First Nations prior to finalizing and submitting your grant application.
- Project development support. A First Nation contributes to project development (e.g., Indigenous knowledge and values incorporated into scope) and implementation (e.g., First Nations have budgeted involvement in the project).
- Working relationship. Budgeted involvement in the project (e.g., First Nations technicians employed through the project).
- Financial or in-kind support. A First Nation contributes funds or in-kind services that increase the total value of the project.
- Support in principle. A First Nation provides a letter of support for the project but is not directly involved in the project.
[1] Note: FWCP’s understanding is that the Provincial Consultative Area Database is not intended to create, recognize, limit, or deny any aboriginal rights, including title, that First Nations may have.