FSMC Signatory Nations

The Fraser Salmon Management Council is a First Nations governance organization formed in 2019 to support the implementation of the Fraser Salmon Collaborative Management Agreement (CMA). We provide administration and support for First Nations collaborative governance processes, information sharing, and engagement to advance the development of mandates and decision-making among our 79 signatory First Nations. We also provide administration and support to the Fraser Salmon Management Board, its Joint Technical Committee, and any of its subcommittees or processes related to advancing the Fraser Salmon CMA.

A key activity for the FSMC is hosting the annual Fraser Forums. These forums are an integral component of Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s integrated fisheries management plan development process. The FSMC works with the Fraser Salmon Management Board to present a post-season review of the previous salmon fishing season, a proposed plan for the upcoming fishing season, and a summary of First Nations and stakeholder recommendations for the upcoming season. The FSMC also uses the Fraser Forums to collaborate with regional First Nations fisheries organizations and First Nations to develop, integrate, and promote nation-to-nation mandates and positions for decision-making and planning for the upcoming season.

The FSMC believes our history, culture, and traditions bind us in common purpose to preserve and protect Fraser salmon. Our vision is that collaborative planning and management of Fraser salmon fisheries become a shared responsibility, and that together Fraser and Marine Approach First Nations, with Canada, restore Indigenous priority and integrate Indigenous knowledge with Western science to guide Fraser salmon conservation and fisheries management.

The purpose of the FSMC is to create, promote, and support government-to-government, nation-to-nation structures for the collaborative governance, management, and conservation of Fraser salmon. We work to coordinate the expertise and technical capacity of First Nations and their fisheries organizations to advance the collaborative development of First Nations' positions and mandates for negotiation of Fraser salmon conservation and fisheries management decisions with DFO.

The FSMC serves as a convening and coordinating body for Fraser and Marine Approach First Nations, in support of consensus-based decision-making under the Fraser Salmon Collaborative Management Agreement. The FSMC also plays a Secretariat role for the Fraser Salmon Management Board. The FSMC Constitution and Bylaws Para 2. (e), (g), (h) state that:

(e) The FSMC, serves as a forum for the Signatory Nations regarding issues of common concern to the Signatory Nations relating to Fraser River salmon,

(g) collect, analyze and disseminate information on issues of common concern to the Signatory Nations relating to Fraser River salmon,

(h) cooperate with, learn from and gather information created by other community, regional and watershed level organizations to develop technical capacity, regional knowledge, communication, information exchange and coordination of efforts to conserve, restore, govern and manage Fraser River salmon.

The members of the FSMC are the Signatory Nations who were applicants for incorporation of the FSMC, and First Nations that have become a Signatory Nation in accordance with Bylaw 4.2, and in either case have not ceased to be Signatory Nations. For more information on how to become a Member Nation, the roles of Member Delegates, and what's involved to participate, please visit our Membership Page.

The nine-person Main Table is responsible for the day-to-day management decisions of the organization.

Main Table appointments include:

(a) The Main Table is established and consists of nine Member Delegates appointed by Majority Resolution as follows:

(i) two Member Delegates appointed by the Member Delegates representing the Upper Fraser Signatory Nations from amongst themselves;

(ii) two Member Delegates appointed by the Member Delegates representing the Middle Fraser Signatory Nations from amongst themselves;

(iii) two Member Delegates appointed by the Member Delegates representing the Lower Fraser Signatory Nations from amongst themselves; and

(iv) three Member Delegates appointed by the Member Delegates representing the Marine Approach Signatory Nations from amongst themselves.

From FSMC Constitution and Bylaws Para 7.1 (i) – (iv)

“Fraser Salmon” means all species of salmon, including sockeye, chinook, coho, pink, steelhead, and chum that live, travel through and are found within he Fraser River, as well as the habitat they rely upon, and the fisheries that exploit them, along their entire migratory route.

The FSMC represents the Signatory Nations and to be their official spokesperson for the purposes of the FSMC.

(From the FSMC Constitution and Bylaws Para 2 (i) )

Conservation and Restoration: The conservation and restoration of Fraser Salmon now and into the future, is the highest priority for the governance and management of Fraser Salmon.

From the FSCMA Schedule “D” Collaborative Guiding Principles