Assembly of First Nations Fisheries

First Nations people in Canada have a special relationship with the oceans, lakes and rivers, which is routed in the fact that First Nations people continue to rely heavily on the water bodies for their subsistence, including their social, cultural, economic, and physical survival. Traditions and cultural practices are passed on with the understanding, commitment and vision adopted by each generation to respect, preserve and protect the health of the aquatic resources for the next seven generations.

Over the years, dramatic changes have occurred in fisheries and aquatic management across Canada. For centuries, fishing has been an essential part of the livelihood, cultural identity, and the historical relationship between First Nations and the resources of this land. Traditional knowledge around fisheries and aquatic management, conservation and protection has been a focal point within that relationship. Increased knowledge, participation on decision making bodies, and front-end dialogue processes are needed for First Nations so that the Government of Canada can gain a greater understanding when forming integrated planning approaches, frameworks , and management plans for fisheries and aquatic resources in Canada.

In 1990, the Supreme Court of Canada issued a landmark ruling in the Sparrow decision. This decision found that the Musqueam First Nation has an Aboriginal right to fish for food, social and ceremonial purposes. The Supreme Court found that where an Aboriginal group has a right to fish for food, social and ceremonial purposes, it takes priority, after conservation, over other uses of the resource. The Supreme Court also indicated the importance of consulting with Aboriginal groups when their fishing rights might be affected. (DFO website)

As the national political representative organization for First Nations in Canada, the AFN is responsible for supporting and promoting inherent Aboriginal and Treaty Rights. In accordance with direction received from First Nation Chiefs, the AFN assists in fostering resource management, conservation and protection while securing the recognition and protection of rights to share in the resources of this country.

Fishing is an essential part of First Nations’ relationship to the land and its resources. It is integral to First Nations’ history, culture, economies and, ultimately, self-sufficiency. In accordance with direction from the Chiefs-in-Assembly, we seek to assist First Nations in fostering resource management, conservation and protection, as well as to secure the recognition and protection of rights to aquatic and oceans resources.

The AFN Fisheries Sector continues to work towards the implementation of the AFN National Fisheries Strategy (AFN-NFS). Fisheries, aquatic and ocean resources continue to represent an integral part of the diet, socio-economic well-being and cultural survival of First Nation communities.

The National Fisheries Strategy is designed to assist and restore First Nations’ rightful role in managing the fisheries, aquatic and oceans resources. The NFS is a long-term plan that embodies the recognition, protection and implementation of First Nations’ Aboriginal and Treaty rights.

The Strategy addresses a broad range of First Nation priority issues as well as discusses key policy and program sectors within the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) that impacts and requires input from First Nations. In addition, the Strategy also supports and promotes sustainable First Nation fisheries in the inland and coastal aquatic and ocean resources.

AFN Fisheries Program has a broad mandate to support First Nations in multiple thematic areas related to fisheries and aquatic resources. The Fisheries Program supports First Nations in creating, maintaining, and managing vibrant coastal and in-land fisheries which are central to community socio-economic wellbeing and traditional cultures. The Fisheries Program is advised by the National Fisheries Committee (NFC) and works closely with First Nation communities and technicians, academic institutions, and government partners to implement the AFN National Fisheries Strategy.

The National Fisheries Strategy (NFS) engages on a broad spectrum of legislative, policy and key program sectors within the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) which serves to inform and communicate the various technical implications through joint dialogue processes with First Nations. These important dialogue processes also inform government where they must engage with First Nations on consultation and accommodation on relevant matters that can impact Aboriginal and Treaty rights. In addition, the NFS also supports and promotes sustainable First Nations fisheries, aquatic and ocean resource activities that can open new doors to explore new innovative economic opportunities.

Over the next five years, AFN will develop and implement an enhanced National Fisheries Strategy that encompasses a strategic plan to support the development of new technical and socio-economic development strategies that will include components directed from First Nation communities. The Fisheries Program will continue to implement key components of the NFS related to aquaculture, aquatic invasive species, habitat management, labeling and marketing, legislative and policy review, and Species at Risk. The Fisheries Program will continue to support First Nations in maintaining and improving fisheries access, managing aquatic and ocean resources, and cultivating new opportunities to enrich First Nations communities through aquatic activities.