Image Credit: Flickr / Province of B.C.

By Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Murray Rankin

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SOUND OFF: Our action plan for reconciliation

Apr 6, 2022 | 10:06 AM

LAST WEEK, OUR BC NEW DEMOCRAT GOVERNMENT took a major step forward in delivering an action plan that will drive transformative change in our relationship with Indigenous peoples in B.C.

We became the first province in Canada to release an action plan dedicated to implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Indeed, we are the first jurisdiction in the world to co-develop and commit to an action plan. This is a key step in realizing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action #43 and #44.

The action plan articulates the vision that we see for meaningful reconciliation in our province — a province where the rights of Indigenous peoples are fully realized, respected, upheld and implemented. It identifies 89 specific, tangible actions that we will pursue over the next five years to advance reconciliation in areas like education, children and families, anti-Indigenous racism, justice reform, forestry and mining.

These actions were created in consultation and cooperation with Indigenous peoples around the province to make sure the Action Plan reflects the needs, priorities and perspectives of the many and diverse Indigenous peoples and communities in B.C.

It is the result of significant contributions from more than 150 First Nations and Indigenous organizations and involves the direct participation of every ministry in the provincial government.

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Some of the actions in the plan are already underway – for example, we have already announced that starting in the 2023-24 school year, high school students will need to complete a course related to Indigenous history, culture and perspectives to graduate. This will help prepare graduates to build a more equal and just future.

Another action we will take over the next five years is to recruit and retain more Indigenous teachers in the K-12 public school system, so that students can learn from people who reflect the diversity of our province.

To address the over-representation of Indigenous peoples in the justice system, the province is working with the First Nations Justice Council to implement a strategy that affirms self-determination and enables restoration of traditional justice systems. In this partnership, three Indigenous Justice Centres were opened in 2020 to provide uniquely tailored supports for legal advice, representation and advocacy.

We will also make reforms to policing, with increased mandatory training, and being clear about the role of police in addressing complex social issues like mental health and homelessness.

These are just some examples of the 89 actions that are laid out in this plan. And this plan is just the beginning. It will guide our work over the next five years, but we expect it to change and adapt as we learn and grow as a province.

I commend my colleagues from all sides of the House for joining us in showing unanimous support for passing the UNDRIP into legislation in 2019. It was a proud moment for me to be joined by Indigenous leaders on the floor of the House the day the action plan was launched. I was also inspired to see Mr. Michael Lee – the Official Opposition Critic for Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation – stand up in the House to recognize the action plan’s importance in carrying out our collective work towards truth and reconciliation.

There is an immense amount of work ahead of us. Certainly, it will be challenging. But together, we can change the trajectory of our history and create a better future.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.