Strategic Context
The Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation operates in a complex environment. British Columbia is home to over one-third of the country’s 600+ First Nations comprising the most culturally and linguistically diverse groups of Aboriginal people in all of Canada. This diversity means there is no “one solution” to achieve reconciliation. Instead, the Ministry must strive to address the unique situations of disparate First Nations and Aboriginal people. There are over 180,000 people in British Columbia who identify themselves as First Nation, Métis or Inuit. Most significantly, the fastest growing demographic province-wide is Aboriginal youth. With the socio-economic disparities that exist between Aboriginal peoples and other British Columbians it is essential that steps are taken to provide Aboriginal youth with the opportunities to succeed both within their communities and throughout the Province. Historically, Aboriginal people have not had access to services at the same level as other British Columbians. Fundamental services such as basic community infrastructure, including housing and water facilities and appropriate education curriculum have, until recently, been inadequate. Poverty, prevalence of illness and chronic disease, inadequate housing, unemployment and low high-school completion rates are measures of our collective failure.
Despite these challenges in 2007/08 British Columbia made significant progress towards a New Relationship with Aboriginal people. Focus on reconciling Aboriginal and treaty rights through negotiations represents an important step forward from a history of confrontation, litigation and failure to reconcile differences with Aboriginal people. Historic agreements committing government resources to education, health and housing initiatives demonstrate achievements under the Transformative Change Accord. The government has vowed to address the inequities that have plagued Aboriginal people throughout British Columbia’s history. Reconciliation is at the heart of this initiative. Positive and enduring relationships must be built on trust, mutual respect and recognition of the constitutional rights of Aboriginal people.
Closing the socio-economic gap
The Transformative Change Accord signed by Canada, the Province and the First Nation Leadership Council signals a tripartite commitment to work together to close the socio-economic gap between First Nations and other British Columbians. This accord outlines specifically how this will be achieved in British Columbia by setting priorities and outlining key actions in the following areas: improved Crown-First Nation relationships; education and life-long learning; housing and infrastructure; health; and economic opportunities. Likewise, the Métis Nation Relationship Accord between the Province and the Métis Nation British Columbia acknowledges the influence on the province’s history of Métis people as a distinct people with their own language, culture and traditions.
Other efforts to bridge the gap in social and economic outcomes include: assisting Aboriginal people to improve housing through the development of a 10-year off-reserve Aboriginal Housing Strategy, spanning the continuum from homelessness to home ownership; supporting the advancement of First Nations in the development of their community health plans; reducing financial barriers for Aboriginal post-secondary learners by implementing the Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education Strategy, including a $10 million endowed scholarship fund; assisting Aboriginal entrepreneurs through the First Citizens Fund and promoting targeted employment training by implementing an Aboriginal Apprenticeship Strategy; and supporting recognition of and celebrating Aboriginal languages and culture.
Building a New Relationship
The Ministry’s active partnership with the First Nations Leadership Council has facilitated priority-setting on a wide range of issues including the development of frameworks and tools to assist in the implementation of the New Relationship. This partnership has enabled renewed focus on issues such as consultation and accommodation, revenue and benefit sharing, and shared decision-making. The Ministry continues to build strong relationships with First Nations, Aboriginal organizations and Métis Nation British Columbia. The appointment of Honourable Judge Steven Point, of the Skowkale First Nation, is a symbolic and meaningful commitment by governments in Canada to build better relationships with First Nations. As the former Chief Commissioner of the British Columbia Treaty Commission, Steven Point has been an active supporter of the treaty process and a strong advocate for First Nations, while understanding the obstacles and the opportunities in the path ahead.
Concluding treaties and lasting agreements
“The treaty process is bigger than any one First Nation. It took us a long time to get a seat at the table and this is still our best opportunity to resolve the issues that have pitted First Nations against the other governments.”
— (Former) Chief Commissioner Steven Point BC Treaty Commission
British Columbia remains committed to the negotiation of treaties as a full and formal expression of reconciliation. Treaties clarify and specify how Aboriginal rights will be expressed in the context of modern Canadian society. They set out who has treaty rights, what those rights mean and what obligations fall on governments in implementing treaties. Treaties also give First Nations better tools to develop their governance, lands and resources. This year, the Ministry celebrates the conclusion of treaties with the Tsawwassen and Maa-nulth First Nations and looks forward to concluding additional treaties over the next three years.
Other lasting agreements — such as those with the Musqueam First Nation, the Blueberry River First Nations and the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations — represent an investment in the future of all British Columbians. Benefit revenue sharing agreements create economic opportunities that will result in social benefits over time as communities prosper. Moreover, these agreements create a more stable, and consequently, a more favourable environment for industry and business.
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