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Abstract:
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"In the Province of British Columbia (BC), Canada, groups of Indigenous Peoples, known as First Nations (FN), are reclaiming the right to own and govern portions of their traditional territories. Currently land treaties between the governments of BC, Canada, and various FN are nearing settlement. Therefore, BC is now considering how an approach to FN relations that maintains and encourages sustainable economic development for both parties, might operate. A strategy encouraged by the Province for the West Coast of Vancouver Island (WCVI) is the development of beach and ocean tenures for shellfish aquaculture. This move seems well-advised to some as the WCVI is known for its pristine waters and existing wild clam harvest, an activity that many coastal FN take pride in, and in recent decades, have earned seasonal income from. However, to shift from the wild harvest of clams to shellfish aquaculture requires a shift from communal to privatized use of coastline. Therefore, the paper will begin by describing how changes in harvest structure have been introduced by The Province.
"Thus far shellfish aquaculture has been confronted by the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, 14 bands that inhabit the WCVI, in two ways. One, strongly influenced by the provincial government, was to independently implement shellfish aquaculture in as many bands as possible. The second focuses on co-operation and mentoring between bands and other businesses. Through nuanced, culturally-sensitive planning, the Nuu-chah-nulth Seafood Development Corporation (NSDC) is hoping to address hurdles many FN face when "doing business in a world that often has disparate views on the environment, family, time, and distribution of wealth. To conclude, the paper will explore the evolution of the NSDC and briefly comment upon how its current configuration was somewhat unanticipated, but potentially provides greater benefits. This work stems from interviews and the analysis of public discourse/documents."
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