Service Delivery and Core Business Areas

The Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation is responsible for the negotiation of treaties and other agreements with First Nations to support economic investment in the land base, build capacity and play a lead, cross government role in facilitating Aboriginal perspectives related to the implementation of the Five Great Goals.

Service Delivery

The Ministry works with other ministries and agencies across government to narrow the social and economic gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal British Columbians and to achieve long-term reconciliation through treaties and other lasting agreements.

The Ministry sits at the treaty table alongside the federal government and First Nations to negotiate and implement workable arrangements (i.e., economic development projects, interim measures, treaty-related measures and treaties) that will lead to greater certainty on land and resource use. Various interest groups and local governments provide input to these negotiations.

Core Business Areas Overview

All work produced by the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation comes from one of five core business areas: Negotiations, Reconciliation, Aboriginal Relations, Executive and Support Services, or First Citizens Fund.

Core Business Area: Negotiations

Negotiations include the processes required to successfully conclude the negotiation of treaties and other agreements reconciling Aboriginal rights and title with Crown title in British Columbia, as well as support services required by this area to carry out its responsibilities.

Core Business Area: Reconciliation

Reconciliation addresses the recognition of the rights and title of First Nations. It acknowledges our past history and, through constructive action, builds a shared future for British Columbia.

The Ministry leads the work with First Nations to realize the New Relationship vision of reconciliation, recognition and respect. One of the key pieces of work in this area is to develop and implement a new consultation framework to address the province's legal obligations with respect to Aboriginal rights and title where proposed economic development may affect Aboriginal rights. Work on the New Relationship vision is founded on collaboration with First Nations and meets our common objective of supporting economic development and job opportunities in Aboriginal communities across the province. Resources for this core area are provided from the Aboriginal Relations and Negotiations areas.

Core Business Area: Aboriginal Relations

British Columbia is committed to fostering new working partnerships with Aboriginal people that move us beyond the barriers of the past towards real progress. Specifically, the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation supports development of effective working relationships with Aboriginal communities by providing integrated advice, identifying opportunities, removing obstacles, and working to coordinate with the federal government to bring about reform and stimulate change.

Core Business Area: Executive and Support Services

This area includes support services required by the Ministry to carry out its day-to-day responsibilities. This includes salaries, benefits and operating expenses. Some core support services are also provided by the Ministry of Attorney General. For further information, see the Ministry of Attorney General Service Plan Update 2005/06 – 2007/08 at http://www.gov.bc.ca/ag.

Core Business Area: First Citizens Fund

The First Citizens Fund (FCF) is a perpetual fund established by the provincial government to enhance cultural, educational and economic development opportunities for Aboriginal people in British Columbia. Individual programs delivered by Aboriginal organizations accessing the First Citizens Fund include the following: