S’ólh Téméxw te íkw’elò. Xyólhmet te mekw’stám ít kwelát. (This is our land. We have to look after everything that belongs to us)

Stó:lō rights, title and interests exist throughout S’ólh Téméxw.

As a result, Canada and the province of British Columbia are required to consult Stó:lō peoples on any proposed developments in Stó:lō territories.

Stó:lō relate to the lands and resources in terms of responsibility and a form of property relationship strongly connected by stewardship. The right to care for the lands and resources is therefore both a privilege and an obligation. STSA, in partnership with People of the River Referrals Office (PRRO), are responsible for the recognition, protection and promotion of STSA member First Nations’ Aboriginal rights and interests in land and resource discussions with the provincial government of BC and government of Canada

Who is STSA?

STSA is an alliance of Stó:lō First Nations who believe that Stó:lō best care for the land and resources by working together. Canada and the province of BC are required to consult on any proposed developments in Stó:lō territories. STSA are parties to Strategic Engagement Agreements and other government to government agreements.

Purpose

STSA supports Stó:lō peoples (who are the Aboriginal title holders) in making strong collective stewardship decisions that honour and maintain the integrity of Stó:lō peoples’ relationship with S’ólh Téméxw.

Through this work, STSA plays a role in ensuring the recognition, protection and promotion of our member First Nations’ Stó:lō rights and interests throughout S’ólh Téméxw.

STSA, in partnership with People of the River Referrals Office (PRRO), screens all land and resource use referrals to reduce the administrative burden on each member Nation while at the same time ensuring that member Nations have the opportunity to meaningfully respond to significant referrals.

STSA, with the support of PPRO, is responsible for the recognition, protection and promotion of our member First Nations’ Aboriginal rights and interests in land and resource discussions with the provincial government of BC and government of Canada.

STSA helps Stó:lō First Nations implement various stewardship, engagement and decision-making agreements with the provincial government of BC and government of Canada.

How the referrals process works

Canada and the province of BC are required to consult on any proposed developments in Stó:lō territories. Each year, thousands of referrals are sent to Stó:lō First Nations.

People of the River Referrals Office (PRRO) provide STSA with a multi-level referral screening services to review, coordinate and rank the mass volume of referrals. This partnership ensures the interests of the member First Nations are understood and protected. PRRO tracks referral information and works with STSA member First Nations to coordinate informed, timely and meaningful responses. Performance metrics are recorded for STSA as well as for the provincial and federal governments with whom agreements are in place. These metrics reflect an important level of accountability that helps strengthen cooperative agreements and decision-making with all levels of government.

STSA, in partnership with PRRO, are responsible for the recognition, protection and promotion of our member First Nations’ Aboriginal rights and interests in land and resource discussions with the provincial government of BC and government of Canada.

Why is STSA important?

STSA is a Stó:lō collective that works cooperatively to secure strength in numbers. Together, this collective has a greater ability to pool resources and leverage a unified Stó:lō voice resulting in:

  • More positive engagement opportunities with other governments;
  • A more compelling case for funding;
  • A more compelling case for capacity and process support; and
  • A greater ability to respond to referrals and more powerful referral responses through a recognized collective voice.

Working together, we are able to form better government to government relationships that enable:

  • Better protection of cultural sites;
  • Better protection of the environmental integrity and sustainability of the land and resources;
  • Enhanced education and engagement, both externally and internally;
  • More powerful exercising of Stó:lō rights;
  • Better development of co-management objectives; and
  • Better employment and revenue sharing opportunities.

Terms of reference:

The key aspects of STSA’s Terms of Reference Framework are:

STSA decision making bodies:
(i) Member Nations;
(ii) Leadership Table;
(iii) Executive Committee; and
(iv) Office of the GM.

  • Decision making authority for each body is set out in a detailed decision-making matrix.
  • Any Stó:lō First Nation can join the STSA subject to obtaining a Council resolution and being approved by a special majority of the Member Nations.
  • Each Member Nation will appoint a “Representative” and an alternate to sit at the Leadership Table.
  • The Leadership Table will elect three Representatives to the Executive Committee, one of which will be the Political Representative.
  • The Political Representative will be responsible for co-chairing the G2G table and being the
    spokesperson of STSA.