Frequently Asked Questions

Last Updated: October 10, 2024

Watershed Security Context

Watersheds, also called drainage basins, are areas of land where rain, snow, or melted ice flows downhill, often directed by surrounding hills and slopes, into common points of streams, rivers, lakes, groundwater, and eventually oceans. Watersheds vary greatly in size, ranging from a small, single stream to massive regions spanning thousands of kilometres, and their definitions vary by community.  

Watersheds embody the interconnectedness, interdependence, and sacredness of the natural world, linking everything from mountain tops to oceans. 

Watershed Security is a shared responsibility, requiring everyone within the watershed to actively contribute to its care and preservation. It ensures sufficient clean water for ecosystems and communities, honouring water’s inherent rights. Healthy water is crucial for human well-being, yet many First Nations lack access to it. The long-term prosperity of all life depends on resilient watersheds. 

Restoring and protecting watershed health is vital for First Nations to exercise their inherent right to self-determination and continue their cultural practices, and for all communities to address climate change impacts like floods and droughts.  

Watershed security implies:  

  • Providing safe and clean water for drinking and for communities.  
  • Sustaining the production of wild and farmed food.  
  • Nourishing abundant fish and wildlife populations and vibrant and diverse ecosystems.  
  • Supporting cultural and spiritual practices. 
  • Ensuring communities are resilient against climate events and ecological disturbances like wildfires and landslides. 
  • Supporting economic prosperity 

Over 200 distinct First Nations have existed in what is now called British Columbia since time immemorial. Each First Nation has unique laws, beliefs, and governance structures. Similarly, every watershed is unique in its shape and social, economic, and cultural presence. Honouring these differences, we acknowledge that many First Nations share a similar intrinsic relationship to water, as it is the sacred source of all life.  

Water is not defined by territorial or political boundaries. The Watershed Security Fund takes a whole-of-watershed approach which recognizes that watersheds function as large, interconnected systems. This approach considers all elements of a watershed— water, land, people, aquatic species, plants and animals—recognizing that anything happening upstream has repercussions downstream, and that the ecosystem functions as a whole. Providing learning spaces for traditional food and medicine plant knowledge, ensures that Indigenous knowledge and history can be shared and sustained for the benefit of watersheds.  

Knowledge and history are rooted in local areas, and those with deep connections to a watershed, like First Nations, are best informed to make decisions about its management. First Nations’ close ties to the land mean they often notice climate change impacts first, equipping them to effectively and accordingly adapt land management practices. 

Watershed Security Fund Interim Structure and Stewards

The efforts to realize the Watershed Security Fund have been ongoing for years through work at the B.C.-First Nations Water Table, calls to action by a broad network of water champions, strong public support for investments in watersheds, through previous watershed funding and many other endeavours. On March 6, 2023, the Province of British Columbia and the B.C.-First Nations Water Table jointly announced an initial $100-million investment from the Province of B.C. to establish the creation of an independent Watershed Security Fund.

The WSF and its governing entity will be co-developed and co-governed with First Nations to establish a permanent and enduring funding stream for watershed projects that uphold UNDRIP/DRIPA commitments across British Columbia. Since the announcement of the initial $100-million endowment to the WSF, the First Nations Water Caucus (FNWC)—with the First Nations Fisheries Council (FNFC) acting as its secretariat—partnered with the Real Estate Foundation of BC (REFBC) to provide interim stewardship. Together, the interim partners are working to create a permanent entity to oversee, manage and grow the Fund over the long term. The Province of BC acts in an advisory role to the interim WSF. 

The First Nations Water Caucus–with the First Nations Fisheries Council of BC acting as its secretariat–and the Real Estate Foundation of BC are working together to provide interim Fund stewardship, and to support the co-development of a permanent, co-governed entity to oversee and manage the Fund over the long term. The First Nations Water Caucus has a key role in providing oversight and direction for planning and implementing the Fund co-development process.

The Water Caucus is comprised of the First Nation regional and technical delegates from major watersheds across BC, convened by the First Nations Fisheries Council, to discuss and identify shared strategic priorities and interests related to fresh water. Water Caucus delegates participate at the joint B.C.-First Nations Water Table (Water Table). The Water Table addresses water and watershed security issues of concern between First Nations in B.C. and the Province through co-development and consensus, and have been convening since 2022.

FNFC is a non-profit society that works to develop a cohesive and united voice among First Nations in B.C. FNFC’s approach is to convene First Nations, listen to their priorities and perspectives, and help clearly articulate their shared messaging to decision-makers regarding the integrated planning and management of Pacific fisheries, aquatic resources and habitat at the province-wide level. FNFC, as the secretariat to the Water Caucus, implements the goals and priorities of the Water Caucus and carries out the substantive operational work. They are partnering with REFBC as interim stewards of the Fund and supporting the co-development process.

REFBC is a philanthropic organization working to advance sustainable, equitable, and socially-just land use across what is known as B.C. REFBC funds projects, builds relationships, and shares knowledge among Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities to advance a healthy environment that supports thriving, resilient, livable communities from one generation to the next. For many years, REFBC has been proud to work with First Nations, local governments, the Province and a broad network of partners to advance watershed security through its grants, research and convening, and as host of the Healthy Watersheds Initiative.

Since the announcement of the initial $100-million endowment to the WSF, the First Nations Water Caucus (FNWC)—with the First Nations Fisheries Council (FNFC) acting as its secretariat—partnered with the Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia (REFBC) to provide interim Fund stewardship. Together, the interim partners are working to create a permanent entity to oversee, manage and grow the Fund over the long term. The Province of BC acts in an advisory role to the interim Fund. 

As REFBC and FNWC—with FNFC—work to co-develop a permanent entity to hold the Watershed Security Fund, it is important to establish a clear understanding of what “co-development” and “co-governance” of the entity will look like. REFBC and FNWC will develop shared definitions of these important practices over the next few years, ensuring that no single entity holds majority control, in line with the Commitment to Action (C2A) agreement 3 . Stewards of the interim WSF are dedicated to working with First Nations, Crown governments, NGOs and industry stakeholders, and others to ensure healthy watersheds for generations to come.

The Province made an initial investment of $100 million to establish the Fund, as work on the Fund gets underway, the Provincial role will be advisory in nature.

Watershed Security Fund Mandate and Areas of Work

The Watershed Security Fund supports initiatives that prioritize the health of our waterways, centre First Nations rights and knowledge, and reinforce lasting partnerships and relationships. By investing in projects that prioritize reconciliation, collaboration, and ecosystem health, the Fund aims to ensure vibrant watersheds and healthy communities for future generations. 

Throughout the strategic planning process, we identified six priority focus areas and some of the ways we will action them. 

  • Co-Development of a Permanent Organization 
  • Communications 
  • Grants Program 
  • Growing the Fund 
  • Interim Governance and Operations  
  • Investing and Managing the Fund  

The $100 million provincial contribution seeded a permanent endowment fund which currently generates $3-5 million annually to support grants and programs.

Partners will seek additional provincial, federal, industry and philanthropic contributions to help grow the Fund, with a long-term goal of creating a $1 Billion Fund.

Since its establishment, the WSF Grants program, has received external flow-through contributions from the Real Estate Foundation of BC and the Hilary & Galen Weston Foundation to support grants intakes and allow more funding flowing to communities.  

Partners continue to seek opportunities to receive and steward a range of funding. These sources could include contributions from Crown governments, philanthropy, and industry. For more information, visit: https://watershedsecurityfund.ca/funding-supporters/ 

Details on funding priorities, processes, and decision-making will be confirmed through the co-development process. Initially, overarching outcomes are intended to address urgent and long-term watershed needs by funding projects and initiatives which support:

  • Reconciliation and advancing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)
  • Restoring and maintaining ecosystem services and watershed health
  • Climate resiliency
  • Local watershed governance, planning & monitoring initiatives
  • Job creation and economic stimulus
  • Learning and relationship-building between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities

Please refer to the Grants Program or Grants FAQ pages for more information.