Indigenous Roundtable
On Grizzly Bear Conservation & Bear Viewing Ecotourism
If you received a consultation letter from the BC Government with an invitation to the July 17-18 Roundtable, please take notice that this Roundtable has been postponed and we will confirm new dates soon. Any Nations that have questions about the Roundtable can contact Richard Sparrow, rsparrow@grizzlybearfoundation.com
The Roundtable is an Indigenous-led process that recognizes the inherent Rights and Title of First Nations to advance Indigenous laws, policies and plans rooted in cultural heritage, traditions, and values. With generous financial support from the Vancouver Foundation, Audain Foundation, and the Real Estate Foundation of BC, the Grizzly Bear Foundation has hosted The Roundtable, which is directed by First Nations government delegates and Indigenous ecotourism business operators.
The Grizzly Bear Foundation fulfills the crucial roles of host, facilitator, and convenor of The Roundtable on behalf of the First Nation delegates. The GBF is a non-profit organization that provides capacity support to the Roundtable, including participant outreach, event coordination, fundraising, secretariat, and overall administrative support.
Our work will be guided by First Nation consent-based decision-making and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). The GBF equally values Western and Indigenous systems working through science and Indigenous knowledge to advance our shared goals. Our relationship, clearly outlined in both the Terms of Reference and Roundtable Strategic Plan, underscores our commitment to centring Indigenous voices, perspectives and decision-making authority throughout the process.
Indigenous Led Conservation
First Nations have a mutual interest in advancing their inherent Title and rights, decision-making authority, and control over matters concerning conservation, land relationship planning, co-management and Indigenous protected areas. Grizzly bears are a cultural keystone species in many Indigenous cultures–they are not wildlife but ancestors and teachers. Grizzly bears are also considered an ecological keystone species and conservation umbrella species, presenting a unique opportunity to support the holistic approach of First Nations in protecting and restoring habitats, food sources, and the ecosystems within their traditional territories.
The Grizzly Bear Foundation (GBF) recognizes the invaluable role of Indigenous Peoples in the stewardship of the lands and waters that continue to support Indigenous cultural and economic practices. Indigenous-led conservation encoded within traditional teachings, song, dance, art, and laws of First Nations serves as an essential source of knowledge in the advancement of grizzly bear conservation and wellbeing.
Working Together
The Indigenous Roundtable presents an innovative opportunity to share knowledge and experience, strengthen First Nations institutions, build capacity, and create new initiatives that benefit grizzly bear stewardship and First Nations-led economic development.
In our commitment to carrying this forward, we are spotlighting innovative projects and stewards of the land to celebrate and acknowledge ancient relationships through our e-newsletter, The Knowledge Keeper. Each month, we will navigate subscribers through curated stories, research, and Indigenous Knowledge—ways of knowing—that guide Indigenous-led grizzly bear conservation. We hope you will join us and invite others as well.