A Historic Agreement
On June 25, 2024, 17 First Nations announced the closing of the Great Bear Sea Project Finance for Permanence (PFP), in partnership with the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia, securing $335 million of durable, long-term funding to care for our marine territories and support sustainable economic development on the coast.
“We believe that if we take care of the land, the land will take care of us, and if we take care of the ocean, the ocean will take care of us. These are our breadbaskets. The Marine Protected Area Network is designed to protect and conserve these important resources from a place of co-governance that honours our expertise and our jurisdiction over our territories. Together, we have created a model that will support the conservation goals the world needs – protecting locally and globally significant ecosystems and species – and ensuring our communities have the resources, training and equipment for durable and collaborative management.”
K̓áwáziɫ (Marilyn Slett), President, Coastal First Nations – Great Bear Initiative
“Almost 18 years ago, we announced the completion of a new conservation finance model for the Great Bear Rainforest, which is recognized as a world-leading success. We protected vast areas of ancient temperate rainforests, created nearly 1,300 jobs, launched over 130 new businesses, and raised household incomes across the region. And we were just getting started. Our intent was always to protect land and sea. Today, we have followed through on this commitment to our ancestors, our Elders, our communities, and our future generations. The Great Bear Sea PFP is the model we need to protect marine ecosystems and restore biodiversity, all while supporting prosperous economies and healthy communities.”
Dallas Smith, President, Na̲nwak̲olas Council
Celebration Videos
Photo Gallery
Media Coverage
- $335M committed to protecting ecosystems off B.C. coast (CBC, June 25)
- Protecting more of our marine ecosystems together, for future generations (The Globe and Mail, June 25)
- Marine ecosystems off B.C.’s Great Bear coast get $335M for new protections (Global News, June 25)
- $335-million investment is building a sustainable economy in the Great Bear Sea (The Narwhal, June 26)
- Great Bear Sea gains new protection with $335 million plan (National Observer, June 26)
- How $335 million and a Wall Street-inspired funding model have raised hopes for the conservation of the Great Bear Sea (The Future of Good, July 10)
Partner Coverage
- Protecting the Great Bear Sea (Mandell Pinder LLP, June 25)
- Canadian Governments and Indigenous Nations Create the Great Bear Sea Agreement (Audubon, June 26)
- Great Bear Sea PFP Agreement Creates New Pathway for Indigenous-Led, Collaborative Conservation (Nature United, June 26)
- Supporting Conservation and Community Well-Being Differently through Project Finance for Permanence in Canada (Environment Funders Canada, June 27)
- Major funding announcement critical to the success of the Great Bear Sea MPA Network (West Coast Environmental Law, July 2)
- Great Bear Sea initiative shows vision of Indigenous leadership (David Suzuki Foundation, July 18)
- People on the Water: Power and Permanence on the Great Bear Sea (TNC, Aug. 7)
Quotes
“With today’s announcement, First Nations are extending a successful model of collaborative stewardship, backed by durable conservation financing, from the rainforest to the sea. We look forward to continue working closely with First Nations, supporting them to invest in their community prosperity and marine stewardship programs which, in turn, will strengthen coastal communities and economies.”
– Eddy Adra, CEO, Coast Funds
“Today we celebrate the future of the Great Bear Sea and the people who depend on it — with a new co-governance model designed by First Nations and backed by large-scale financing that will create sustainability and prosperity across this region. Nature United is proud to have supported all of the governance partners towards this historic milestone, which demonstrates the power and potential of Indigenous-led, collaborative conservation. This is the model we need to replicate across Canada to tackle the dual biodiversity and climate crises while supporting resilient communities and economies.”
– Hadley Archer, Executive Director, Nature United
“Indigenous Peoples have been the stewards and caretakers of Canada’s vast lands and waters since time immemorial. Today’s announcement is an important step in our governments’ efforts to collaborate on and advance Indigenous-led projects that will protect the health of our marine ecosystems for future generations. We will continue to work together with Indigenous and coastal communities from coast to coast to coast to ensure Canada’s marine and coastal areas remain healthy, clean, and safe.
– The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
“Canada is proud to be part of this historic Great Bear Sea Project Finance for Permanence initiative. More than ever, our government is committed to supporting Indigenous-led marine conservation initiatives that protect our shared coasts and oceans. We owe such concrete actions to our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.”
– The Hon. Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
“The signing of the Great Bear Sea Project Finance for Permanence initiative marks a historic step in protecting nature in Canada. The investments announced today provide a lifeline to the thousands of species inhabiting the Northern Shelf Bioregion, one of the most ecologically productive cold-water marine regions in the world. Our government launched the largest conservation campaign in Canada’s history, with the goal of protecting 30 per cent of lands and waters in Canada by 2030. From the start, we have turned to Indigenous partners to lead this work, as we acknowledge their traditional role as stewards of the lands and waters and their best positioning to restore healthy ecosystems. We want to protect these waters not just for our children, but for our grandchildren and every generation after that.”
– The Hon. Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
“People in British Columbia share a deep connection to our coastal waters. They are a source of beauty, food, and economic opportunities. Through sustainable conservation financing, we will help secure the future of our marine ecosystems, fisheries, and coastal communities.”
– The Hon. David Eby, Premier of British Columbia
“We are partnering to take bold steps to protect our marine environment for generations to come. It’s a day that makes us all proud. Working alongside First Nations, the traditional stewards of these lands and waters, in true collaboration, is the only way we can meet our goals of protecting 30 per cent of British Columbia’s lands and waters by 2030.”
– The Hon. George Heyman, British Columbia’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy
“The creation of the Marine Protected Area Network in the Northern Shelf Bioregion, also known as the Great Bear Sea, will be the first of its kind in Canada. It is the product of a made-in-British Columbia collaborative approach that brings together Indigenous knowledge, cutting-edge science, and input from industry stakeholders to protect this precious marine area while growing our economy.”
– The Hon. Nathan Cullen, British Columbia’s Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
“The Sitka Foundation celebrates the collaborative efforts that have led to today’s Great Bear Sea PFP announcement. As a B.C.-based funder we strongly support the vision of interconnected marine and terrestrial ecosystems of the Great Bear Sea and Rainforest. We feel proud to know that community, government, and private sector commitments have helped to create a “made in B.C.” model that provides a healthy, sustainable future for this unique and beautiful coast.”
– Carolynn Beaty, Executive Director, Sitka Foundation
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