The Islands Trust Area is situated within the treaty lands, traditional territories, and areas of responsibility of numerous Coast Salish and neighbouring Indigenous Governing Bodies. For thousands of years, these islands and surrounding waters have been places of travel, trade, harvesting, ceremony, governance, and community. Respect for these lands, waters, and relationships recognizes the enduring stewardship, governance systems, laws, knowledge, and responsibilities of Indigenous Peoples since time immemorial. This understanding continues to guide Islands Trust’s efforts to build respectful relationships and support reconciliation within Islands Trust Area. Since 2015, Islands Trust Council has committed to the principles of reconciliation. Islands Trust Council recognizes that reconciliation is fundamental to building meaningful relationships now and into the future, and the work of reconciliation is key to understanding history and heritage of the Islands Trust Area, and the preservation and protection of the Islands Trust Area.
Reconciliation is more than engagement or consultation. It is the ongoing process of building respectful relationships based on recognition of indigenous rights, responsibilities, governing systems, and stewardship of lands and waters. Islands Trust recognizes that meaningful reconciliation requires listening, learning, collaboration, and continual improvement in how decisions are made and relationships are maintained.
Territorial Acknowledgement
Islands Trust and Islands Trust Conservancy respectfully acknowledges that the lands and waters that encompass the Islands Trust Area have been home to Indigenous Peoples since time immemorial. Islands Trust and the Islands Trust Conservancy are committed to reconciliation and to working together to preserve and protect this ecologically, culturally, and spiritually significant region in the Salish Sea. The Islands Trust Area is located within the treaty lands and territories of the BOḰEĆEN, Cowichan Tribes, Da’naxda’xw, K’ómoks, Lummi, Lyackson, MÁLEXEȽ, Mamalilikulla, Qualicum, scəẃaθən, səl̓ilwətaɬ, SEMYOME, shíshálh, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Snaw-naw-as, Snuneymuxw, Songhees, Spune’luxutth’, SȾÁUTW̱, Stz’uminus, ɬaʔəmen, Tlowitsis, Ts’uubaa-asatx, Wei Wai Kum, We Wai Kai, W̱JOȽEȽP, W̱SIḴEM, Xeláltxw, Xwémalhkwu, Xwsepsum, and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm First Nations/Tribes/Nations.
These lands and waters continue to be cared for through the, laws, governance systems, teachings, knowledge, stewardship responsibilities, and lived relationships of Indigenous Peoples, whose relationship to these territories remain active today.
Reconciliation Declarations
Islands Trust Reconciliation Declaration
Islands Trust Council acknowledges that the lands and waters that encompass the Islands Trust Area have been home to Indigenous Peoples since time immemorial and honours the rich history, stewardship, and cultural heritage that embody this place we all call home.
Islands Trust Council is committed to establishing and maintaining mutually respectful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples. Islands Trust states a commitment to Reconciliation with the understanding that this commitment is a long-term relationship-building and healing process.
Islands Trust Council will strive to create opportunities for knowledge-sharing and understanding as people come together to preserve and protect the special nature of the islands within the Salish Sea.
(Adopted by Islands Trust Council on March 14, 2019, on Gabriola Island.)
Islands Trust Conservancy Reconciliation Declaration
The Islands Trust Conservancy acknowledges that the islands and waters that encompass the Salish Sea have been home to Indigenous Peoples since time immemorial. We recognize that we are all intertwined in the ecosystems that are the lands, waters, culture, and ecology that embody this place.
The Islands Trust Conservancy will strive to create opportunities for knowledge-sharing, understanding and collaboration as people come together to preserve and protect the special nature of the islands within the Salish Sea.
The Islands Trust Conservancy is committed to the protection and preservation of this place through processes that respect and honour reconciliation and mutually respectful relationships with Coast Salish Indigenous Peoples. We express our recognition for the past, present, and future stewardship and knowledge that has been shared by Indigenous Peoples and are humbled and grateful.
(Ratified by the Islands Trust Conservancy Board on June 16, 2019, in the territories of the Lək̓ʷəŋən Peoples, METULIYE/Victoria, B.C.)
Indigenous Relations Action Plan
Islands Trust Council approved the Indigenous Relations Action Plan (2026-28) at its June 2026 Trust Council meeting. The Action Plan guides Islands Trust work to strengthen relationships with Indigenous Governing Bodies, advance reconciliation, improve and to support engagement with First Nations.
Working with Indigenous Governing Bodies
Islands Trust works with Indigenous Governing Bodies whose treaty lands, traditional territories, and areas of responsibility are within the Islands Trust Area. Engagement and referrals are to support respectful relationships, information sharing, and consideration of Indigenous rights, responsibilities, stewardship interests, and cultural heritage. Islands Trust is required by legislation to refer policy, bylaw and land use applications to Indigenous Governing Bodies whose treaty lands and territories are within the Islands Trust Area islands.
Through the referral process, Indigenous Governing Bodies may identify potential impacts to Indigenous rights, cultural heritage, archaeological resources, environmentally sensitive areas, and areas of cultural significance. Referrals also support the sharing of Indigenous knowledge and perspectives that may assist Islands Trust in carrying out the Islands Trust Object.
Islands Trust recognizes that Indigenous Peoples have longstanding relationships and responsibilities to these territories that continue today, and acknowledge the importance of creating space for Indigenous perspective, knowledge systems, and governance consideration within planning and land-use discussions.
Islands Trust acknowledges the enduring relationships Indigenous peoples have with these lands and waters and recognizes referrals as an important part of respectful government-to-government engagement.
Information & Resources
- Discussion Paper – The Islands Trust Object: Past, Present, and Future – Mar 2021 – see “Truth Precedes Reconciliation” Section 1.1
- Islands Trust Council Policy 6.1.1: First Nations Engagement Principles
- Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation (MIRR)
- Archaeology Branch of BC – Archaeological permits, and reports about archaeological finds
- First Nations Engagement and Consultation
- First Nations Education Steering Committee
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action
- United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)
- Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, BC (DRIPA)
- Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls (MMIWG) Calls for Justice
- First Peoples’ Cultural Council (FPCC)
- FPCC Indigenous Languages and Culture
- Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs
- British Columbia Assembly of First Nations