We recognize that Surrey is situated on the unceded traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples, including the Katzie, Kwantlen and Semiahmoo First Nations. We also respectfully acknowledge the many other Indigenous nations that are represented among Surrey’s population.
Indigenous Peoples have resided on and stewarded these lands, while thriving through climate variations for millennia. Indigenous leaders in this part of the world, as elsewhere, have been standing up for the protection and sustainable management of the ecosystems we all depend on for many generations. As outlined in the First Nations Leadership Council’s BC First Nations Climate Strategy and Action Plan, Indigenous Peoples are deeply concerned about and acting to address the climate crisis on their own terms.
Through consultation undertaken for this Climate Change Action Strategy (CCAS), and ongoing feedback on other related projects, staff have heard First Nations representatives express a deep concern and caring for the land. Staff have heard them speak about the interlinked social and environmental harms they continue to experience because of colonization. These issues cannot be addressed within any single project or strategic plan. Reconciliation with First Nations requires respectful dialogue at a government-to-government level to forge new positive relationships.
The City of Surrey is committed to reconciliation, engagement, and collaboration with local First Nations and Métis governments, and the Urban Indigenous communities in Surrey, in implementing the CCAS. This includes working with and learning from Indigenous communities to develop actions, policies and programs.