The BC First Nations Energy and Mining Council is a Provincial First Nations Non-Profit Organization
The British Columbia First Nations Energy and Mining Council (FNEMC) is a non-profit organization with a mandate from the First Nations Leadership Council of B.C. to support and facilitate responsible energy and mining resource development that protects the environment and ensures the cultural, economic and political well-being of First Nations in British Columbia.
News, Updates, and Events
Recent Work
Critical Minerals Strategy
The government of Canada released a critical minerals strategy in late 2022. The government of British Columbia is in the process of developing its own critical minerals strategy for completion in 2025. As a foundational underpinning to any actions, decisions or strategies involving First Nations’ territories and resources, it is essential that the Crown and others recognize First Nations in BC as Inherent title and rights holders. In this context, a First Nations’ driven and led critical minerals strategy will contribute to amplifying First Nations’ perspectives and voices. This strategy addresses key issues such as:
- Engagement, consent, and participation
- Environmental impact assessments
- Benefit agreement
- Energy
- Value chain analysis
- Land tenure agreements
- …and more.
IPCAs & Guardians
A Call to Action to Recognize, Support and Implement Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas and Indigenous Guardians in British Columbia
A project by the Indigenous Leadership Initiative (ILI), with support from FNEMC.
“… it is time for First Nations communities and leadership to take the reins in conservation efforts and it is time for BC to embrace and support these efforts. It is time to build a clear Indigenous-led and managed process together – one that clears the way for self determination in conservation management across the province.”
Indigenous Knowledge Policy Framework
This paper was presented to First Nations community leadership for discussion on the draft Indigenous Knowledge Policy Framework for Project Reviews and Regulatory Decisions (the “draft Framework”), as it relates to the Navigable Waters Act (NWA). The draft Framework contains five guiding principles for Federal Agencies when applying the Indigenous knowledge provisions in the Act:
1. Respect for Indigenous peoples and their knowledge.
2. Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with Indigenous peoples.
3. Consideration of Indigenous knowledge.
4. Respect the confidentiality of Indigenous knowledge.
5. Support capacity building to facilitate the consideration of Indigenous knowledge.