Invitation to Shape the Committee
This draft call and initial Terms of Reference are starting points. The Steering Committee will refine and finalize its mandate, scope, structure, and ways of working to ensure it is Indigenous-led and responsive to its members’ needs and priorities.
Purpose
There is growing interest in seaweed farming in BC, and we are at a pivotal moment in the province and sector to define the parameters and processes within which this industry can develop. Ecotrust Canada and The Pew Charitable Trusts have begun separate and shared work to support the sustainable, inclusive growth of the emerging seaweed-farming sector in British Columbia and Alaska. It is our collective hope that the development and benefits of coastal resources occur with leadership from the First Nations in whose territories these activities may take place, creating a lasting, meaningful, and sustainable seaweed sector rooted in local leadership, places, and people.
Ecotrust Canada, with support from The Pew Charitable Trusts, is inviting members to join a new Indigenous Steering Committee to help guide work to develop this sector in a sustainable and inclusive way.
While the Pew/ Ecotrust Canada initiative includes three strategic areas (listed below), the Steering Committee’s initial focus will be to provide strategic direction for developing a work plan to support a community-led vision for seaweed farming in BC.
The three strategic areas are:
- Developing a workplan to support a community-led vision for seaweed farming in BC.
- Advancing Indigenous-led knowledge braiding and data sovereignty within seaweed monitoring and management.
- Advising on the development of precautionary management measures recommended for BC.
This is a first step toward building a governance structure that centres Indigenous voices and priorities to guide Pew’s and Ecotrust Canada’s shared initiatives in BC and Alaska, with the goal of supporting a thriving, sustainable seaweed sector
Proposed Initial Terms of Reference (to be refined by the Steering Committee)
Deliverables:
Pew and Ecotrust Canada are working together to build a workplan to guide the development of a community-led vision for the seaweed farming sector in BC. Building the workplan before engaging in visioning will help ensure the process uplifts Indigenous sovereignty, upholds inherent Indigenous title and rights, and respects the differences that exist between regions and First Nations.
The Steering Committee will be mandated to support and liaise with regional and specific First Nations regarding their vision when called upon. They may also provide input on related efforts, including engagement with coastal stakeholders to develop a workplan for a broader community vision for the seaweed farming sector, and on whether or how that process can be braided with the Indigenous visioning efforts.
The primary deliverable for the Steering Committee is to shape the formation of an Indigenous-led section of the visioning workplan in BC.
Mandate and Scope
- Guide and shape the development of a workplan to support an Indigenous-led vision for seaweed farming in BC.
- Mandated to support and liaise with regional-specific First Nations on their vision for seaweed farming.
- If determined by the Steering Committee, provide input on broader community visioning efforts, including whether or how to braid with the Indigenous-led visioning efforts.
- Consider linkages with other Indigenous-led initiatives in mariculture (including previous community visioning work) and ocean governance.
- If determined by the Steering Committee,
- With the consent of the Indigenous Academics Working Group, provide input into knowledge braiding and data sovereignty work within seaweed monitoring and management, including potential joint gatherings with Alaska Native partners.
- Advise on precautionary management measures (i.e., seaweed monitoring, licensing measures and processes).
Composition and Representation
We are seeking representation across:
- Geographies — North Coast, Central Coast, Vancouver Island, and the Lower Mainland.
- Perspectives — Elders, youth, hereditary and elected leadership, Indigenous mariculture practitioners, food sovereignty and marine planning leaders, and knowledge keepers.
Structure and Decision-Making
- Members will serve as peers, supported by Ecotrust Canada in a Secretariat role (with openness to transition to an Indigenous entity if desired).
- A Co-Chair model is proposed, with additional honoraria to recognize these leadership roles.
- Decisions will be made by consensus wherever possible, reflecting Indigenous governance practices.
Meetings and Commitments
- One virtual kick-off session (February 2026) to build relationships and co-develop the Terms of Reference.
- Proposed to organize one in-person meeting and three to four additional virtual meetings in 2026, or a quantity otherwise determined by the Committee, to:
- Develop the approach and identify additional participants to help develop a workplan.
- Provide feedback on the draft visioning workplan.
- Finalize the workplan, establish next steps, and close this portion of the work.
Support for Participation
Honoraria and travel expenses will be provided for Steering Committee members, along with travel support where needed.
- $500 for half day (1-4 hours)
- $900 for a full day (4-6 hours)
Additional Co-chair stipend: $400-600/meeting, including prep.
Additional capacity funding will be available to ensure equitable participation, such as:
- Backfill support for staff so a Nation’s Lands Manager, Marine Use Planner, etc. can attend a meeting.
- Support for community-level engagement so Steering Committee members can bring input back to their Nation and report back.
- Childcare expenses.
Secretariat/administrative support will be provided by Ecotrust Canada.
How to Get Involved
If you or your Nation are interested in participating or nominating a representative, please contact Mary Williams at maryw@ecotrust.ca by February 22nd. We’d love to hear from you and learn which Nation you’re representing.
We also invite you to share our Call for Steering Committee members and Draft Terms of Reference with your networks.
If interested, Mary can be reached at:
Mary Williams
Assistant Director, Food Systems
Ecotrust Canada
Maryw@ecotrust.ca