We, Fort Nelson First nation (FNFN), are People of the land and the rivers and have lived in our territory in northeastern British Columbia since time immemorial.
We are also Treaty people. Treaty No. 8 affrms our Aboriginal Rights and Title to our lands, and our Nation-to-Nation relationship with Canada confirms our mutual responsibility to protect our shared Treaty rights and responsibilities “for as long as the sun shines, the grass grows and the rivers flow.”
We recognize the need to balance economic security with respect for our way of life, culture, and inherent connections to the lands, waters, and animals that sustain us. We are protectors of this land and providers for our families. We have a strong presence in our territory that we are determined to maintain. We are knowledge keepers, building on our ancestors’ knowledge and modern science to balance industry and traditional economies in our lands.
Until recently, our people harvested caribou throughout our territory for countless generations. Historically, boreal caribou provided us with sustenance, clothing, tools, utensils, snowshoes and other necessities important to our physical and cultural survival. In recent years, however, we have been unable to harvest caribou sustainably due to decreasing population levels and diminishing habitat. We intend to reverse this trend. To achieve this goal, a number of key actions need to be undertaken. FNFN has developed goals and strategies, supported by traditional knowledge, science and map products that aim to move significantly forward to resolve the issue of declining boreal caribou in the short and long term, and to begin to work towards a sustainable economic future in the Liard. These actions are outlined in the Medzih Action Plan: Fort Nelson First Nation’s Boreal Caribou Recovery Plan.