Columbia Basin Trust is grateful to operate in the traditional territories of the Ktunaxa, Lheidli T’enneh, Secwépemc, Sinixt and Syilx Nations. The Columbia Basin region is also home to six Métis Nation communities.
mission
Columbia Basin Trust supports efforts by the people of the Columbia Basin to create a legacy of social, economic and environmental well-being and to achieve greater self-sufficiency for present and future generations.
Creating the Trust
Hear directly from our founding and former directors along with key members that played an important role in the creation of the Trust. Together, they take us on the journey of how the stars aligned to help them keep their promises to the people of the Basin and return benefits to the region.
In the early 1990s, residents, local officials and representatives from regional districts and tribal councils joined together to successfully negotiate with the Province for a share of the Treaty revenues and to secure benefits for the people of the Basin. In July 1995, the Columbia Basin Trust Act was passed into BC Government legislation.
The Charter establishes the foundation for the work of Columbia Basin Trust. It is grounded in the Columbia Basin Trust Act, the legislation that created the Trust. It is also grounded in the wishes of citizens through the development of the original Columbia Basin Management Plan. This was required by the Act and approved by the Trust Board of Directors in 1997 after extensive consultation with the people of the Basin.
region
The Trust serves the region consisting of all the watersheds that flow into the Columbia River in Canada and operates in the unceded traditional territories of the Ktunaxa, Lheidli T’enneh, Secwépemc, Sinixt and Syilx Nations.
The Basin region is 80,000 km2 and has a population of 167,000 people. To learn more about the geography of the Columbia River Basin, click here.
Fast Facts
80,000 km2
167,647
2,000 km long
The 1964 Columbia River Treaty (CRT) is an international agreement between Canada and the United States to coordinate flood control and optimize hydroelectric energy production on both sides of the border. Learn more
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guiding
principles
Be True to Our Foundation
We will provide support that is consistent with our legislation, mandate and core tenets, and the principles set out in this Plan:
- Respecting the region-wide unity demonstrated by Basin residents when the organization was created.
- Being accountable to Basin residents and to the Trust’s shareholder, the Province of British Columbia.
- Not displacing the responsibilities of any level of government.
Integrate Perspectives of Indigenous Peoples
The diverse cultures, histories, knowledge and governance systems of Indigenous Peoples are integral parts of life in the Basin.
We will listen to and seek to understand the voices of First Nations and Métis Peoples in the Basin so that their distinct perspectives help guide our activities.
Support Residents’ Efforts
We will continue to convene community conversations and engage with Basin residents to understand evolving priorities. The ways we support residents will adapt to reflect changing circumstances.
Aim for Balance and Recognize Interconnection
We will seek to balance the environmental, social and economic benefits of our activities including through our investments, support for communities, and our own operations.
How we work
Working together with a shared purpose, the space to connect, and access to resources and support, we see extraordinary things come to life.
values
Stewardship
Our resources are responsibly managed to ensure benefits for both present and future generations.
Engagement
We recognize that active involvement in communities is critical to our overall success.
Respect
We treat people with respect, welcoming varied perspectives and viewpoints, and honouring the history of the Basin and the origins of the Trust.
Accountability
We are accountable to Basin residents for the decisions that we make in fulfilling our mandate.
Empowerment
We help others make their own choices on issues and opportunities that affect their future.
Transparency
We maintain a high level of openness, sharing meaningful and accurate information about our activities.
timespan
and
implementation
Our strategic direction
for the next 10 years.
This Plan is informed by the feedback we continuously receive from Basin residents, as well as a comprehensive engagement process throughout 2023.
Residents have shared how important it is that we balance being focused with being responsive to changing conditions in the Basin. Therefore, over the Plan’s 10 years, residents can expect approaches and objectives to evolve, progress to be reported, and updates to be shared.
We will seek further input from residents on how to implement the Plan, including through the creation of task forces and advisory committees.
We will engage directly with First Nations and Métis Peoples to listen and understand perspectives on how to support their activities. We will also reflect on and adapt our approaches in response to evolving relationships and understandings with Indigenous Peoples.
This Plan can be read together with the Trust’s Charter, the enduring part of the Columbia Basin Management Plan that sets out our mandate, vision, and core values.
The Trust doesn’t exist to speak for residents. It exists to ensure residents’ voices are heard.
As approaches and objectives evolve, progress will be reported, and updates will be shared.