Land Governance Under Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management
Presenting Organizations: ISC & RC
Description
The Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management (FA) is a First Nation’s driven process that has resulted in First Nations across Canada building their own land governance structures and capacity to take back the control and decision-making of their First Nation Lands. One-Third of First Nations across Canada are either developing and implementing their own land code and laws or are interested in becoming a Framework Agreement signatory. Learn more about how First Nations have achieved this significant goal of re-establishing land governance through the development of their own land code on First Nation reserve lands and the support services provided by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) and the First Nations Land Management Resource Centre (RC).
Speakers
- Roman Korec, ISC
- Jackie Brown, RC BC Support Services
- Tabitha Donkers, RC Fraser Valley Support Services
- Lise Steele, RC TMPD
- Jasmine Pouce Coupe, Land Code Coordinator, Doig River First Nation
Speaker Bios
Roman Korec, ISC
Roman Korec is a project coordination professional with strong Project Management skills and over 15 years of federal public sector experience at Indigenous Services Canada in Training, Research, Business Process Improvements and Documentation, Budget Auditing and Reconciliation, and Stakeholder Relationship building, from working in the Corporate Services, Funding Services, Programs & Partnerships, and Lands and Economic Development directorates. As he puts it, “he’s your friendly, collaborative, MS Excel numbers and processes geek, Lean Process advocate, and people trainer”, and is currently a Special Initiatives Officer for First Nations Land Management at the Lands and Economic Development directorate at Indigenous Services Canada BC Region.
Jackie Brown, RC BC Support Services
Jackie Brown is a member of the Kispiox(Anspayaxw), a BC community within the Gitxsan First Nation, Lax Gibuu (wolf) clan from the House (Wilp) of Wii Eelast. His Gitxsan name is Guiyee’is. He grew up in Terrace, BC which is an hour and half away from Kispiox. After obtaining his Forest Technology Diploma at Northwest Community College (now Coast Mountain College), he worked in the forest consultant world for 8 years before moving his family to Prince George, BC. He was the Forestry Coordinator at Lheidli T’enneh Nation for 7 years before joining the BC Government as a Senior Advisor, First Nation Relations within the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development for 3 years. His wife, Cheryl, is from the Nisga’a Nation community of Gitlakdamiiks(New Aiyansh), Ganada(frog) clan, they have 2 kids, their daughter, Alyssa Brown, 16 years old and their son, Jack, 12 years old. They also have a dog, Charlie, she’s around 5 yrs old. He enjoy playing basketball and soccer from time to time. Their kids keep them active with their sports, basketball and soccer, which he coached them both in for about 5/6 years. They try to make it back home as often as they can to keep close to their families, especially when cultural duties call them home.
Lise Steele, RC TMPD
Tabitha grew up in the Fraser Valley of BC in Coast Salish territory and is now living on Central Vancouver Island. She completed her undergraduate degree in business at UBC and her master’s in public policy from SFU. Prior to joining the RC Tabitha worked in the private sector, non-profit, and First Nation government. In her role with the RC, Tabitha focuses on supporting First Nation communities in the Fraser Valley in implementing their Land Codes. In her free time, Tabitha enjoys volunteering at local community events, gardening, Mountain biking, and almost everything else outdoors.
Lise Steele is a proud member of the We Wai Kai Nation, located on both Vancouver and Quadra Island’s. After moving back home to the Quinsam Reserve in Campbell River in 2001, Lise changed her career path by attending the University of Victoria where she earned a certificate in Aboriginal Language Revitalization; while teaching the language she became interested in LANDS which then lead her into the position of Land Code Coordinator and she began further training at the University of Saskatchewan – Professional Lands Management Certificate. During that time the We Wai Kai Nation voted on and ratified their own Land Code and the implantation process began. Lise continued her studies by attending Thompson River University – Tulo Program for First Nations Tax Administration and is a certified tax administrator. Lise accepted a position with the Resource Centre in 2016 and had has worked as a field technician on Vancouver Island as well as Event Planner for the organization. Working with the Resource Centre and First Nations across this country is truly exciting!
Jasmine Pouce Coupe, Land Code Coordinator, Doig River First Nation
My name is Jasmine Pouce Coupe. I come from a strong and resilient family who have taught me to strive for success (for any task before me) through consistency, strong work ethic, honesty, and integrity. I have learned to apply these skills in a variety of environments but most recently at my own Nation (Doig River First Nation) located in Northeast BC. I have been employed at DRFN since January 2020 as their Land Code Coordinator. I will be wearing different ‘hats’ at Doig until Land Code is ratified and we have moved from the developmental stage into the operational phase. It has been a fascinating experience and I am I grateful for all the learning opportunities I have had while in this position. I feel the Land Code Coordinator job has helped to set me up for my next opportunity as one of DRFN’s Aboriginal Liaison’s. I have been learning many aspects regarding development/application of policy and laws and how they can assist Indigenous communities to protect their lands and cultures. It has been beneficial to learn what goes into writing and enforcing the regulations that help to protect our standards, values, and traditions. While Land Code only applies to the Reserve lands, I feel the knowledge I have gained can be applied to many projects happening in our larger traditional territory. I look forward to the transition from the Governance Department into the Lands Department since ultimately, that is where my heart lies. I feel most at ease and most productive when I am out in nature, observing and experiencing all the amazing things Mother Earth has to offer. It is an understatement to say that I cannot wait to explore and expand on this new and exciting opportunity. I only hope to represent Doig to the best of my ability and give them my dedication to help keep moving DRFN forward to success!