As part of the 2024 Sunshine Coast Ocean Festival, we had planned to host a NEMO Talk exploring the marine impacts of private moorage in ḵalpilin (Pender Harbour). At the request of the BC Government, the SCCA agreed to defer our presentation so that the Province and the shíshálh Nation could present official information regarding the shíshálh–B.C. Foundation Agreement and the Dock Management Plan.
On March 31, 2025, provincial representatives held a public webinar outlining how the renewed Foundation Agreement relates to marine governance in shíshálh swiya and what it means for coastal communities. Presenters included:
- Honourable Randene Neill, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship and MLA for Powell River–Sunshine Coast
- Tom McCarthy, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
- Lori Halls, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
- Carolyn Kamper, Assistant Deputy Minister, Negotiations and Regional Operations, Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
Together, they provided an overview of the Foundation Agreement’s vision and implementation, including a new approach to managing private moorage in ḵalpilin. The area is of profound cultural and ecological importance to the shíshálh Nation. The Dock Management Plan is a collaborative framework that seeks to safeguard marine biodiversity, honour shíshálh rights and title, and provide clarity to waterfront landowners.
We support this government-to-government process and encourage all community members to learn more:
- Visit the shíshálh Nation – B.C. Foundation Agreement webpage
- Watch the March 31 public information session on YouTube
We look forward to hosting future conversations that support marine protection and Indigenous-led conservation throughout ḵalpilin and the greater Sunshine Coast.
Additional resources
Impact of Docks in Pender Harbour: Phase 2 Assessment. March 2018
Report prepared for the Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, South Coast Natural Resource Region by M.C. Wright and Associates.