OCTOBER 2019 WESTERN APPROACH - REPORT INFO: iamc-tmx.com

VANCOUVER ISLAND WESTERN APPROACH

Kristine Pearson

to the West and to the South. Pacheedaht people rely on the traditional foods and resources Vancouver Island – Western with active roles as stewards and Approach communities managers of the territory. I am the along the pipeline corridor Referrals Coordinator for Pacheedaht First Nation and helps The IAMC-TMX Terms of to advise leadership on proposals Reference lists a total of 129 for resource use and industrial Indigenous communities that applications. The marine territory is fall along the TMX and the priority for these discussions. To existing pipeline. find out more about me, please see my bio on the IAMC-TMX website. Hello, My name is Kristine Pearson, Member for the Vancouver Island – “Pacheedaht’s territory is Western Approach Region of the rich in wildlife and Indigenous Caucus of the resources and we are Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committee for the Trans Mountain responsible for Expansion and Existing Pipeline protecting them for (IAMC-TMX or the Committee). generations to come. I On October 3, 2018, Chief Crey, was nominated and am Vancouver Island Western Indigenous Co-Chair of the honoured to represent Approach communities are Committee at the time, sent a letter the West Coast nations, , to all communities, which enclosed for the seat designated Ka:’yu:k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h a nomination form and additional as the Western , Toquaht information on the member Nation, , nomination process. I was Approach.” Huu-ay-aht First Nation, nominated by two Chiefs, one from Pacheedaht First Nation, Ditidaht and one from Pacheedaht. Uchucklesaht Tribe. Kleco Kleco.

On January 31, 2019, a letter was The IAMC-TMX brings together sent to me confirming my Indigenous and government representatives from various federal participation as member for a term representatives to provide advice to departments and the National of February 1, 2019 to March 31, federal regulators and to monitor Energy Board. Together, we 2022. For more information please the TMX project, the existing represent a diversity of views about review the Indigenous Caucus pipeline and the associated marine the project and all parties Selection Report on our website. shipping. The Committee is made participate “without prejudice.” This means that participating in the work Pacheedaht is Nuu Chah Nulth, up of a 13 member Indigenous of the Committee does not indicate whalers and close family to Ditidaht Caucus and six senior that an Indigenous community VANCOUVER ISLAND WESTERN APPROACH Kristine Pearson

supports or opposes the project or represent monitoring program. consultation. It means all members have a shared For more information on the Committee and the interest in making the pipeline, expansion and work of the Subcommittees, please see our Annual marine shipping as safe as possible in order to Report. protect environment and Indigenous interests in the lands and waters. The IAMC-TMX’s Indigenous Caucus will be hosting its second annual Line Wide Gathering from Since the Committee’s beginning in August 2017, we November 13-14, 2019 in Kelowna, BC. One purpose have made substantive steps towards increasing of the Gathering is to update the Indigenous Indigenous participation in monitoring of the TMX. communities along the pipeline route on both the In our first 19 months, we created a unique work the Committee has completed over the past Indigenous/Government partnership, which is year and our plans and priorities as we move focused on shared interest in protection of lands forward. The other purpose is to hear from the and waters, pipeline safety and respect for communities about their interests and concerns to Indigenous rights, knowledge and traditions. We inform our work. started a work camps study to begin gathering resources that communities During last year’s Line Wide can use to address the Gathering held in T’sou-ke potential negative impacts of traditional territory, we received work camps on Indigenous valuable observations, insights communities, specifically and recommendations in the women and girls. We also following priority areas: formed subcommittees to 1. Indigenous Monitoring/ work on key priorities with a Emergency Management and focus on Indigenous Response; monitoring, marine shipping, 2. Impacts of Work Camps; socioeconomic impacts, emergency management, 3. Community Engagement and engagement and grants and Communications; and contributions. 4. Advice to Government and Regulators. In addition to being a Committee member, I am also a member of the Marine Shipping Subcommittee. The full 2018 Line Wide Report is available on our website. Stewardship of the marine environment is extremely important to all of us, but especially to coastal Invitations and more detail on this year’s event will communities. One of the Committee’s primary be sent to you shortly. I hope you will be able to objectives is to support and facilitate Indigenous- join us as I look forward to meeting you in person, if led monitoring and stewardship programs that I have not already, and hearing your insights. capture the interests and needs of diverse coastal Indigenous communities. Through the Marine Shipping Subcommittee, we established a venue to exchange information and discuss marine and environmental issues. We also sought opportunities to participate in related workshops, conferences and other activities to allow for a better understanding of the many considerations surrounding the development of a marine-based

OCTOBER 2019 VANCOUVER ISLAND WESTERN APPROACH- REPORT INFO: iamc-tmx.com