RELEASE: Province of BC Launches First Nations Consultation on Historic Grizzly Bear Stewardship Framework
Vancouver, May 7th, 2025 — The Province of British Columbia has officially reinitiated its consultation process on the Grizzly Bear Stewardship Framework and Commercial Bear Viewing Strategy, marking a pivotal moment in advancing collaborative, Indigenous-led grizzly bear stewardship across the province.
To support this process, the Province has signed an agreement with the Grizzly Bear Foundation through the Indigenous Roundtable on Grizzly Bear Conservation and Bear Viewing Ecotourism. This Indigenous-led process is designed to centre First Nations’ knowledge, leadership, and values while developing a world-leading model for wildlife stewardship.
“This agreement strengthens an Indigenous-led process to create meaningful pathways for shaping wildlife policy,” says Richard Sparrow, Director of Indigenous-led Conservation at the Grizzly Bear Foundation. “The Roundtable, proceeding in parallel with Provincial consultation, aims to ensure these conversations are accessible, relevant, and impactful.”
The Roundtable gathering will take place May 27–28, 2025, at the River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond, B.C., on the traditional territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people. The event will feature Tier One Nation-to-Nation dialogue and Tier Two discussions between First Nations and the Province. Registration is now open, and Nations are encouraged to register by May 13th. Funding is available for travel and accommodation. Learn more and register here.
Since 2020, over 85 Nations have contributed to early drafts of the Framework and Strategy, which integrate Western science, provincial and Indigenous law and policy, and content co-developed with First Nations. Public and stakeholder engagement was also completed, with feedback incorporated into the latest drafts.
For more information on the Grizzly Bear Stewardship Framework, please visit here.
For more information on the Indigenous Roundtable, please visit here.
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Media Contact:
Nicholas Scapillati, Executive Director
Grizzly Bear Foundation
604-551-2489
nscapillati@grizzlybearfoundation.com
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