This five-year project (2022-2027) seeks to accelerate opportunities for First Nations in BC, including rural and remote communities, to access safe, affordable, and reliable low-carbon and active transportation.
Background
First Nations in British Columbia have developed extensive land and water transportation routes since time immemorial, facilitating trade, travel, and cultural exchange across vast distances. Colonization disrupted these systems, displacing communities from their territories and confining them to remote reserves with limited access to regional transportation networks.
Limited transportation options continue to harm First Nations communities, restricting access to healthcare, education, and essential services. The lack of safe and reliable transportation is especially dangerous for First Nations women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, who face increased risks on routes like the infamous Highway of Tears. Reports like the MMIWG2S+Calls for Justice call for urgent improvements, many of which remain unfulfilled.
At the same time, BC’s car-centric transportation policies and society have created a transportation system systematically stacked against First Nations communities whilst contributing to climate change. Transportation comprises 40% of BC’s annual GHG emissions, the single largest source. As extreme climate events become more frequent, the fragility and inequities in BC’s transportation system have become even more evident, disproportionately affecting First Nations communities and carrying significant environmental and economic consequences.
Equitable access to safe, affordable, and reliable transportation, in addition to low-carbon transportation, is critical to building resilience and upholding First Nations human rights, including socioeconomic well-being, human security, and inherent, constitutionally protected and Treaty rights. As society progresses towards a low-carbon transportation system, we must acknowledge the historic and ongoing challenges of the current system for First Nations and ensure this transition is just, fair and equitable, and that no First Nation in BC is left behind.
Mandate and Objectives
In 2022, the Chiefs-in-Assembly of the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) organizations supported and endorsed the BC First Nations Climate Strategy and Action Plan (Resolutions: BCAFN 6/2022, UBCIC #2022-04 and FNS #0222.06), which identifies key actions towards achieving clean transportation with First Nations. The First Nations Low-Carbon Transportation project is a five-year project (2022 – 2027) being led by the BCAFN climate team, with support from the Community Energy Association and funding support from the BC Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions. This project is aligned with the implementation of the BC First Nations Climate Strategy and Action Plan (Theme 4.2, Objectives 4.2.1 and 4.2.2) to “ensure reliable and affordable low-carbon and active transportation within and between First Nations communities” and “support First Nations in reducing reliance on fossil fuels.”
As mandated by Resolution 12/2023 the First Nations Low-Carbon Transportation project aims to:
- assess gaps and opportunities that restrict and assist First Nations access to transportation;
- advocate for transportation-related policies that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and uphold First Nations’ Title, Rights and Treaty Rights; and
strengthen community capacity and climate awareness.
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Key Activities
RESEARCH AND SCOPING (2023): To kick-start the project, initial scoping and research was conducted by BCAFN in collaboration with the Community Energy Association (CEA). As part of this, BCAFN also secured a Master's student to complete a 250-hour research internship in the summer of 2023 through the UBC Sustainability Scholars Program. The internship contributed to the baseline research and analysis on transportation and low-carbon transportation legislation, policies, programs, and funding opportunities for First Nations in BC.
SURVEYS (2024): In spring 2024, BCAFN designed and delivered two transportation surveys, one for community members and one for leadership and staff, to identify gaps, issues, and opportunities for low-carbon transportation infrastructure and services for First Nations across BC. BCAFN received 429 responses from First Nations members, leaders, staff, and community members. Detailed analysis of the survey results is currently being conducted and will be included in the Transportation Assessment Report (TAR).
DRAFT FIRST NATIONS LOW-CARBON TRANSPORTATION PLANNING GUIDE (2024): BCAFN, in collaboration with the CEA, developed a draft First Nations Low-Carbon Transportation Guide in February 2024 through an iterative process with the five community-led First Nations pilot projects (see below). The guide to support all First Nations communities in developing their self-determined Low-Carbon Transportation Plans.
PILOT PROJECTS: From late 2023 to early 2025, BCAFN supported five First Nation community-led pilot projects to develop their own self-determined Low-Carbon Transportation Plans to respond to each Nation’s specific needs, realities and priorities. The pilot projects also developed a Gap Analysis Report to support the development of the Transportation Assessment Report (TAR). The five pilot communities were Daylu Dena Council (Lower Post First Nation), ?Esdilagh First Nation, Heiltsuk First Nation, Nisga’a Nation, and Squamish Nation, selected to be representative of the diversity of realities First Nations face related to transportation across BC (coastal, remote and urban). Each selected First Nation community received $65,000 in flexible funding and dedicated support from BCAFN staff.
PILOT PROJECTS PHASE 2 - EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
PILOT PROJECT PHASE 2 - APPLICATION FORM
TRANSPORTATION ASSESSMENT REPORT (TAR) (FALL 2025): This report will outline barriers and opportunities and provides recommendations to address gaps and strengthen opportunities to ensure that First Nations across BC have equitable access to transportation. It will bring together the research conducted to date, as well as the key learnings from each pilot communities’ Gaps Analysis report and results from the survey analysis. This report’s recommendations will support BCAFN’s and First Nation-led advocacy to Crown governments for better policies and investments that prioritize transportation equity, accessibility, safety, and efficiency, aligning with the needs and priorities of First Nations in BC.
ADVOCACY: BCAFN is engaging Crown governments and relevant partners to discuss the findings and recommendations addressed in the TAR and seek support to implement the recommendations. This includes having monthly meetings with the BC Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions and the BC Ministry of Transportation and Transit, as well as engaging with federal representatives to advance ministerial mandates and overall rural and suburban transportation solutions for First Nations in BC.
First Nations Low-Carbon Transportation Forum
On May 27-28, the BC Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN) hosted the very first, First Nations Low-Carbon Transportation Forum on Lheidli T'enneh territory in Prince George. The forum built on the First Nations Low-Carbon Transportation Project so far and showcased First Nations-led low-carbon transportation leadership, climate action, and the ongoing work to improve First Nations transportation and mobility through a justice, equity, safety and reconciliation lens.
The Forum was a celebration of First Nations leadership in climate action, as well as a space that echoed the need for clean transportation solutions to be under scoped by systems and policies that respect Indigenous sovereignty, reflect community needs, and ensure equitable access and safety. For those who were not able to attend, a recording of the plenary sessions and a "What We Heard" report will be released soon, offering an opportunity to engage with the powerful insights and discussions shared in the Forum.
Learn More
Charlotte Bull, Junior Climate Change Policy Analyst: charlotte.bull@bcafn.ca
Patricia Rojas, Policy Analyst and Regional Climate Change Coordinator: patricia.rojas@bcafn.ca
Kristi Denby, Climate and Environment Policy Analyst: kristi.denby@bcafn.ca
Background Materials
PILOT PROJECTS PHASE 2 - EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
PILOT PROJECT PHASE 2 - APPLICATION FORM
LOW-CARBON TRANSPORTATION PLANNING GUIDE
