April 2018 status of the initiative

The Canadian Commission for UNESCO responded to the Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative (HSBRI) working group’s status report submitted November 2017 encouraging more engagement with First Nations.   In 2017 UNESCO developed a policy on engaging with Indigenous People, a document that applies internationally and is a guiding document for all Biosphere Reserves across the country.  Collaboration and support from the Squamish Nation is essential in order to move forward with this initiative.  We look forward to this engagement.

Canada and our Province have made a commitment to both the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the United Nation’s Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and to the 2020 Biodiversity Goals and Targets.  The Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative has made a commitment to support these objectives by acting as a communications hub to:

• Advance greater understanding of our role in Canada’s achievement towards SDG’s, UNDRIP and 2020 Biodiversity Goals and Targets.

• Advance Squamish Nation’s goals for reconciliation through communication and dialogue.

• Financially support existing and ongoing conservation and research projects related to biodiversity in the region.

• Ensure continued networking and communication between all levels of Government, stakeholders and First Nations in Howe Sound.

• Inspire, engage and coordinate with existing and future volunteers and leaders in Howe Sound organizations.

We continue to explore long term sustainable funding for HSBRI.