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U.S. and Canadian Leaders Convene Cross-Border Forum to Strengthen Bioregional Collaboration and Resilience
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October 17, 2025, Sidney, BC — Indigenous leaders, elected officials, civil society and business advocates from the U.S. and Canada gathered at Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney, BC for a Cross-Border Forum focused on deepening relationships across the shared Salish Sea bioregion.
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Building on a smaller virtual gathering in March 2025, the event reaffirmed the enduring spirit of cross-border cooperation and emphasized the vital role of local leadership in fostering a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future. Esteemed participants included Tsawout Hereditary Chief Eric Pelkey, Cowichan Tribes Chief Cindy Daniels, Lummi Nation Treaty Protection Director Brandon Morris, Sidney Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith, MLA Robert Botterell, Islands Trust Chair Laura Patrick, San Juan County Council Chair Kari McVeigh, Amanda Fisher and Jeremy Harrison-Smith from Washington State Governor Ferguson’s office, and James Rolph from
Washington State Lt. Governor Denny Heck’s office.

Co-host and Member of Parliament for Saanich-Gulf Islands, Elizabeth May, described the genesis of this unique forum, originating on the Canadian side of the border, breaking down intergovernmental silos during Covid-19. Since then, local Southern Gulf Islands BC governments and First Nations have imagined the larger possibilities of a wider, cross border collaboration. This vision was shared by local governments and community groups in the San Juan Islands and Washington State and Indigenous peoples across the border. “Ironically, the higher levels of tension created by cross-border challenges including tariffs has increased the local and bio-regional commitment to deepen our relationships.”

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In a pre-recorded message, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen urged continued cross-border collaboration despite political changes: “The U.S.-Canada relationship has always been very important to me, even before I was in Congress... We share an important boundary along and through the Haro Strait, with deep and long-standing partnerships, across and connecting our island communities... Our goal is to continue to manage our relationships across the border in such a fashion that we can build on this day and build forward to avoid the unforced errors that we create for ourselves at times.”
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Breakout sessions on environmental and economic resilience stressed the importance of maintaining strong cross-border ties for the prosperity of island and coastal communities. A consensus emerged that strength lies in sustained connections and shared values. Other key themes included:
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• Relationship as resilience: Building connections today will yield benefits for hard times now and in the long-term.

• Historical bonds: Recognizing the current work rests on long-standing, cross-border relationships and collaborations, which inspire the identification and advancement of novel, effective environmental-economic initiatives.

• Hyper-localism: Grounding policies in local needs while inspiring parallel initiatives.

• Formal collaboration: Establishing structures, norms, and regular dialogue; accelerating policy implementation through shared examples.

• Shared Stewardship: Honouring the land and waters, with salmon as a unifying symbol for cross-border connectivity.

• Economic-Environmental nexus: Promoting joint advocacy, policy harmonization, and sustainable growth that treats environment and economy as inseparable.

• Transportation: Urging restoration of the Sidney–Anacortes ferry, vital for community ties, especially First Nations and Tribes.

• Innovative Governance: Multi-jurisdictional problem-solving and prioritizing authentic human-to-human partnerships over formal titles.
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To ensure momentum, leaders committed to developing a communications strategy to amplify grassroots stories of collaboration through newsletters, local media, and social platforms.

A jointly managed website will serve as a communications hub, complementing regular in- person and virtual gatherings. Forum attendees called for establishing a Cross-Borde Secretariat to coordinate efforts, map existing collaborations, and identify funding opportunities to sustain the work.
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The Salish Sea’s fluid boundaries contrast the rigid map lines imposed by settlers 200 years ago. Amid growing global isolationism, this initiative offers a model of mutually enforced sovereignty, self-determination, and strength rooted in local needs. The next Cross-Border Forum is planned for spring 2026.

Sponsors included the offices of MP Elizabeth May and MLA Rob Botterell, Islands Trust, Capital Regional District, San Juan County, the Economic Development Council (EDC) of San Juan County, and the Rural Islands Economic Partnership (RIEP). Participants also represented the Salt Spring, Pender, and Saanich Peninsula Chambers of Commerce, the Border Policy Research Institute of Western Washington University, SIMRES, Jefferson County EDC, and Harborstone Credit Union.
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Additional Quotes: 

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“We say as Lummi people that we too are survivors of the great flood... Of all the tribes to the south of us and all around us as Lummi we’ve always said that SENĆOŦEN, the W̱SÁNEĆ language, is closest to us. And that’s just an important reminder for how close we are today as people. The waters connect us. Each and every one of us here today we all have an impact on these waters and this land.” – Brandon Morris, Lummi Nation Treaty Protection Director
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“There really are no lines. We have so much in common, and so much great information to share about how best to work together to tackle the many challenges and opportunities we face. “ – Rob Botterell, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands
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“Today was remarkable. As Tsawout Hereditary Chief Eric Pelkey once shared with me, there wasn’t a border over 200 years ago. W̱SÁNEĆ Nation and Lummi Nation family connections on either side of the Salish Sea were immense. When the border was created, families across four generations essentially made decisions about whether they would be in the United States or Canada. The Anacortes-Sidney ferry helped keep the Nations connected for 99 years. As one part of strengthening this cross-border relationship, our Council is firmly committed by formal resolution to the restoration of the Anacortes-Sidney Ferry terminal.” – Cliff McNeil-Smith,
Sidney Mayor

“Without trust, we have nothing. The gathering today was rich with stories of appreciation for our past and current work that has always relied on our trusted relationships. It was inspiring to hear the many commitments to invest in our mutual economic and environmental prosperity through cross border exchanges of ideas, goods, people, and resources, etc.” – Lisa Smith, Washington State Microenterprise Association
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“The relationship between the Islands Trust and San Juan County spans decades, grounded in a shared spirit of partnership and friendship. This enduring connection is reflected in the Transborder Island Agreement, which affirms our common values - protecting our land and marine environments and preserving the unique way of life that defines these islands. Coming together today renews our commitment to collaborate for the health and harmony of our shared bioregion.”- Laura Patrick, Chair, Trust Council, Islands Trust

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Contacts
• Economic Development Council (EDC) of San Juan County, info@sanjuansedc.org, (360) 378-2906
• Office of San Juan County Council, KariM@sanjuancountywa.gov, (360) 370-7472
• Office of MP Elizabeth May, Elizabeth.May.C1@parl.gc.ca, (250) 657-2000
• Islands Trust Council, communications@islandstrust.bc.ca, (250) 405-5151
• Office of MLA Rob Botterell, Rob.Botterell.MLA@leg.bc.ca, 250-387-8347
• Rural Islands Economic Partnership (RIEP), info@ruralislandspartnernship.ca, (250) 653-4025

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