BC Hydro United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Implementation Meeting

Press Release

When: Wednesday, May 14th, 2025, from 9:00am – 4:00pm

Where: Westin Bayshore Vancouver (Cypress Room) + Virtual Option

RSVP for Access Links: mark.blom@fnemc.ca

Participation Funding: $400 for 1 delegate from each community

(paid on a first come/first serve basis as funding permits)

BC Hydro is committed to implementing, in collaboration with First Nations, the human rights standards of the UN Declaration. In this context, BC Hydro has published a UN Declaration Implementation Plan.

As part of the UN Declaration implementation work BC Hydro is undertaking with the First Nations Energy and Mining Council (FNEMC), BC Hydro has committed to hosting a 1-day United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People’s implementation meeting once per year, to which all B.C. First Nations will be invited.

Topics will include:

• BC Hydro’s UN Declaration Implementation Plan: Overview and Key Implementation Actions
• How BC is implementing the UN Declaration: BC’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and Action Plan
• Input and recommendations on next steps from First Nations
• Free, Prior and Informed Consent
• Call for Power

Background:

In 2023 and 2024, FNEMC and BC Hydro held a series of First Nations engagement sessions to increase First Nations participation in the 2024 Call for Power design and procurement process. FNEMC prepared three draft reports summarizing feedback from these sessions:

1. Advancing Economic Opportunities for First Nations in BC

2. 2024 Call for Power: What We Heard Report

3. First Nations Fairness Monitor for Power Procurement in BC

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