Priorities and Needs for First Nations Establishing Indigenous Protected Areas in BC (2016)

The purpose of this project is to identify and address key questions and needs of First Nations and Indigenous communities interested in establishing Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs) or similar stewardship initiatives in Canada, with a focus on British Columbia. We reviewed literature and consulted with key expert practitioners to conduct a preliminary analysis highlighting the most prominent challenges, priorities, and needs that Indigenous communities face regarding IPA establishment.

This report (which we are calling IPA Phase 1: Scoping Study) serves as preliminary scoping and foundational research for a second phase, which we anticipate will include the development of a handbook for establishing Indigenous Protected Areas in Canada.

The proposed handbook (IPA Phase 2) will synthesize and evaluate options, pathways, and strategies for communities wanting to establish IPAs, and facilitate the sharing of information and training among Indigenous communities working toward achieving stewardship and protected area goals.