First Nations Relations Advisors / Indigenous Relations Advisors

Last updated on February 27, 2026

The Advisor, First Nations Relations role centres on building respectful relationships with First Nations communities, supporting consultation processes, and offering thoughtful, culturally informed guidance to internal teams and decision makers.

Indigenous Relations Careers, Ministry of Forests & Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship

Overview

The role of Advisor, First Nations Relations is responsible for reviewing proposals for the use of natural resources on Crown Land and determining the impact on First Nations or potential traditional use areas. They plan and lead the facilitation of the First Nations consultation process, ensuring legal obligations are met, finding creative solutions to problems where all parties benefit in some way, and recommending whether proposed work should proceed.

Advisors work independently but rely on the expertise of co-workers and communicate across different sectors and ministries. They provide insight and creative solutions to different sectors to ensure the delivery of a consistent message to First Nations and proponents. Much of their time is spent in the office, but they sometimes travel between offices and visit work sites. In the summer, there are opportunities to go out in the field, and they may even hop on a helicopter once or twice. Multiple consultations can happen at once, which provides challenge and variety.

Career development opportunities

This role has many opportunities for career development including but not limited to on-the-job training in GIS mapping, conflict resolution, administrative law, negotiations, cultural awareness, and Indigenous law. In this role employees will gain exposure to a wide array of natural resource sector authorizations including forestry, lands, water, fish and wildlife, and mining.

The skills and experiences they will develop as a First Nations Relations Advisor translate into multiple other career paths within the BC Public Service including:

Moving into more senior consultation program positions as a Senior First Nations Relations Advisor/First Nations Relations Manager
Coordinating land and resource initiatives with Indigenous Peoples as a Land and Resource Coordinator/Senior Land and Resource Coordinator with the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
Supporting government to government negotiations as a Senior Resource Coordination Officer/Negotiator with the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
Leading natural resource initiatives on behalf of the Ministry of Forests as a Director of Strategic Initiatives

Testimonials

“The best part of my job is the continuous learning and the variety in my day-to-day work. It is an evolving role that has introduced me to a diverse range of files, business lines, discussions, and most importantly, people. Every day is different which has taught me to be flexible and adaptive. I am always striving to learn and better understand things so I love that I can continue to learn and grow personally and professionally within this role.” – Janelle Paulson, Senior First Nations Relations Advisor (Burns Lake)

Resources

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The B.C. Public Service acknowledges the territories of First Nations around B.C. and is grateful to carry out our work on these lands. We acknowledge the rights, interests, priorities, and concerns of all Indigenous Peoples - First Nations, Métis, and Inuit - respecting and acknowledging their distinct cultures, histories, rights, laws, and governments.

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