DRIPA Action Plan Item 4.39 Engagement Process
ETSI-BC is dedicated to empowering First Nations and rural communities in BC’s Southern Interior. We provide funding, resources, and training to foster sustainable growth and create opportunities that enhance community well-being.
We have embarked on a path towards greater economic reconciliation with the 32 First Nations in our service area in 2024. First Nations communities in our region already receive funding from us; now there is an opportunity to be included in our governance & decision-making.
This path will lead to an enhanced governance structure, that ensures all our communities are involved in the governance and decision-making structures at ETSI-BC. For several years, we’ve been asking for our legislation to be changed to include the region’s First Nations in our governance structures. Now, as part of the Province of BC’s DRIPA Action Plan Item 4.39, this vision is becoming a reality. This Action Plan item says the Province will:
- Work with the Province’s Economic Trusts and First Nation partners to develop a mechanism that ensures inclusion of First Nations at a regional decision-making level.
Our Service Area:
The 33 First Nations in our service area include: Adams Lake, Boothroyd, Boston Bar, Chawathil, Coldwater, Lower Nicola, Lower Similkameen, Neskonlith, Nooaitch, Okanagan, Osoyoos , Penticton, Peters, Shxw’ow’hamel, Simpcw, Skawahlook, Skwlāx te Secwepemcúlecw, Skeetchestn, Splatsin, Spuzzum, Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, Union Bar, Upper Nicola, Upper Simalkameen, Westbank, Whispering Pines, Yale, ?akisq’nuk, ?aq’am, Yaqan Nukiy, Shuswap, Sinixt, Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi ‘it.
Our Impact:
Since 2021, we’ve funded 33 First Nations-led projects:
- collaborating with 24 different First Nations partner organizations,
- providing over $1.1 Million in funding,
- supporting 7 projects in the Columbia-Kootenay region,
- and 25 projects in the Thompson-Okanagan region.
Project Overview:
Since our creation by the Province in 2006, 53 municipalities have been represented on our Regional Advisory Committees. By March 2025, we hope to inform the Province how our region wishes to include our 33 First Nations in our governance, so our Act can be updated.
Engagement Process:
Our engagement process will have two main phases. First, we will seek input from all First Nations in our service area on how ETSI-BC could update its governance structure to better serve all our communities. Second, we will find out how each First Nation would like to get involved.
Key Team Members:
- Gail Joe, ETSI-BC Indigenous Outreach Consultant (Lower Nicola Band member)
- Laurel Douglas, CEO, ETSI-BC
- Paul Donald, Board Chair, ETSI-BC (Simpcw First Nation member)
December 2024 Update:
Since July 2024, we have reached out to all 33 First Nations in our service area, and have met with leaders at 26 of those First Nations. In November, two Steering Committee meetings facilitated by Janis Brooks of Salishan Solutions and Paula Schmidt of Strategic Dynamics were hosted, which included 10 First Nations leaders, Board and RAC members. Through those discussions, we now have a proposed new RAC structure that promises to be both equitable and workable.
We plan to host two focus groups early in 2025 to get further input on the proposed new RAC structure. With that feedback, we will reach back out to all First Nations, ETSI-BC Board and Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) members to seek their endorsement.
ETSI-BC aims to finalize the recommended new RAC structure and submit recommended Act changes to the Province of BC by March 31, 2025, with the goal of updating RAC Terms of Reference pending approval of the recommended changes to our Act.