BC Hydro is committed to building mutually beneficial relationships with First Nations and Aboriginal peoples. Strategies to build these relationships are guided by BC Hydro's Statement of Principles for Relations with Aboriginal People which was developed in 1992. These Principles were confirmed by British Columbia's First Nations opinion leaders in late 1999 as the critical issues for a relationship building strategy focus on cooperation, communication, minimizing the negative and maximizing the positive impacts of BC Hydro's operations, dispute resolution, and community and economic involvement.

Preamble

BC Hydro recognizes that the Aboriginal population of British Columbia has a distinct legal, historical and cultural status and is committed to working with the Aboriginal population according to the following principles.

Co-operation

1. BC Hydro respects Aboriginal aspirations to self-government and will, wherever possible, deal with Aboriginal authorities.
2. BC Hydro will consult, where appropriate, with Aboriginal people in the early stages of project, policy and program development and will seek joint resolution of issues.

Communication

3. BC Hydro acknowledges that it has much to learn and gain from the diverse cultures of the Aboriginal population of the province. BC Hydro will provide cross-cultural training and support and guidance to its employees to help them understand and work more effectively with Aboriginal people.
4. BC Hydro will also provide training to Aboriginal groups in order to increase their awareness of Hydro's business purposes, practices and constraints.
5. BC Hydro commits itself to listening and communicating with its employees and the Aboriginal community about events, issues and other matters of mutual interest.
6. BC Hydro will consult and co-operate with provincial and federal ministries on Aboriginal matters of mutual interest and concern as appropriate.

Impact of Hydro Operations

7. BC Hydro will endeavour to be a good tenant of aboriginal properties over which its transmission lines pass and on which other Hydro facilities are located, paying fair compensation and maintaining the properties in environmentally responsible ways.
8. BC Hydro will endeavour to minimize the negative impacts and maximize the positive impacts of existing and future Hydro projects on Aboriginal communities.

Resolution of Disputes

9. BC Hydro will favour negotiation over mediation and mediation over litigation in its efforts to resolve disputes or reach new agreements with bands. It will work with bands towards achieving negotiating relationships based on mutual respect and trust, open and frank sharing of information and ideas, and determination to reach settlements which are of mutual benefit to bands and Hydro.
10. BC Hydro will move in a timely and orderly fashion to correct permit deficiencies and resolve grievances. Where third parties, such as Provincial ministries or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada need to be involved, Hydro may seek direction from the Province and/or may seek to establish multi-party resolution processes.

Community and Economic Development

11. As part of the planning for new projects, Hydro will encourage Aboriginals to take advantage of any economic, social and other opportunities the new projects may present.
12. Through such means and contracting opportunities workshops, local procurement policies and promoting business networking, Hydro will support the development and viability of Aboriginal contractors who can provide goods and services to Hydro.
13. In response to the many changes and development within Aboriginal communities and of the pending land claims settlement, BC Hydro will be open to participating in innovative initiatives such as joint stewardship proposals for resource use planning.

Employment

14. BC Hydro will co-operate with Aboriginal peoples and educational institutions in the development of initiatives to support the attainment of knowledge and skills that will prepare Aboriginal people for employment with BC Hydro and its subsidiaries.
15. BC Hydro will develop employment equity programs with a goal of increasing Aboriginal representation in the Hydro workforce to a level proportional to their working population in B.C.