“Unless you get to know us, you’re not going to know our passion”

Abstract

In British Columbia, First Nation consultation is formally operationalized through land referrals, a system by which governments and industry proponents share information with First Nations about specific developments on their territories. Using the lenses of equal capacity, social learning, and Indigenous knowledge, this research examines land referrals processes on Nadleh Whut’en First Nation Territory to explore experiences with current consultation practices. Despite efforts to move towards equal decision-making authority over First Nation Territories, consultation remains a key aspect of Indigenous-Crown relations and it is critical that planners enhance their understanding of the duty to consult. Interviews with Nadleh Whut’en knowledge holders and land users and forestry key informants highlight deficiencies in the referrals process as a vehicle for engaging communities in decision making. Challenges include short timelines that manufacture false consent and a lack of cross-cultural dialogue centered on community values and needs. This research fills a gap by advancing understandings of the technical and procedural details of current consultation practice, including where it falls short in protecting Aboriginal rights and how such shortcomings impact people’s lives.