Cultural significance and the emergency listing process for Thompson and Chilcotin Steelhead

Species at Risk Act (SARA) emergency process

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada has conducted an emergency assessment of Thompson and Chilcotin Steelhead Trout and found them to be endangered. The Minister of Environment and Climate Change must form an opinion as to whether or not there is an imminent threat to the survival of these populations. If her opinion is that imminent threat exists, the Government of Canada must decide whether or not to list the populations under SARA.

What information are we requesting

In the event there is an opinion of imminent threat, we are collecting information regarding the cultural significance of Thompson and Chilcotin Steelhead for consideration in a listing decision.

The Government of Canada has committed to a renewed, nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous peoples based on recognition of rights, respect, co-operation and partnership. It is important to us that the cultural significance of Steelhead, and food, social or ceremonial fisheries that encounter Steelhead, are reflected in this emergency process.

How your input would be used

Input received will be included in our regional listing information, which informs the emergency listing decision. Your input (including affiliation but excluding personal contact information), may be published in publicly available documents associated with the emergency listing process, including the Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement within the Canada Gazette.

How you can provide input

Please submit any comments, statements, or other information you wish to provide on the cultural significance of Thompson and Chilcotin Steelhead to Peter Hall (250-720-4445) at sara.xpac@dfo-mpo.gc.ca on or before December 2, 2018.

Consultations will take place October 1 to December 2, 2018. Comments received during these fall consultations will also be included with the regional listing information.

How can we improve our approach

Cultural significance can be sensitive and challenging to communicate. The required approach to Cost-Benefit Analyses (CBA) for regulatory processes may not be the appropriate tool to best reflect the social or cultural significance to Indigenous peoples.

We are therefore requesting advice on how best to learn about cultural significance in an appropriate and respectful manner, so we can improve our approach in this process and in the future.

Please submit any recommendations to Peter Hall (250-720-4445) at sara.xpac@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

Related materials

• Chilcotin Steelhead Trout Profile
• Thompson Steelhead Trout Profile
• Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), Thompson River and Chilcotin River populations in Canada, 2018: COSEWIC Technical summaries and supporting information for emergency assessments
• Examples of other Cultural Significance statements:
  1. Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound Glass Sponge Reefs Marine Protected Areas Regulations (p. 393)
  2. Saoyú-Ɂehdacho National Historic Site Management Plan 2016 (refer to heading: "Support from the Déline Land Corporation and the Déline Renewable Resources Council for the final draft of the SENHS Management Plan")
• Further information on the Species at Risk Act
• Further information on COSEWIC
• Glossary of Terms