RECONCILIATION: MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER - INTRODUCTION
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history to identify current and past colonial practices and policies, acknowledge where mistakes were made, and make amends. For example, BC Housing might consider examining how they have made decisions regarding Indigenous relations and reconciliation in the past, and ask: “Were these decisions made with input from and in collaboration with all of the Indigenous Nations, communities, and organizations impacted by them?” If the answer is “no” or “uncertain”, then BC Housing must be open to taking a step back and working with Indigenous partners to amend and improve those decisions. The development of a Reconciliation Strategy is an important part of BC Housing’s process of learning and commitment to reconciliation and adopting policies and practices based on UNDRIP and TRC’s Calls to Action. The goals of the Reconciliation Strategy are to acknowledge the historic and ongoing marginalization of Indigenous peoples in British Columbia; support an equity analysis in all areas of the organization as it pertains to Indigenous peoples; develop stronger relationships with Indigenous peoples in British Columbia; enhance and support Indigenous self-determination; and, contribute to closing the socio-economic gap between Indigenous peoples and other British Columbians. How This Report Was Created In September 2019, BC Housing initiated the first step in developing a Reconciliation Strategy. This involved initial engagement with BC Housing staff, Board of Commissioners, and Indigenous partners on what they would like to see reflected in the Reconciliation Strategy and ideas for next steps in developing the Strategy. Once developed, the Reconciliation Strategy will serve as a roadmap for how BC Housing approaches reconciliation. It will include clear goals, objectives, and actions that align with Indigenous perspectives and documents such as UNDRIP and the TRC’s Calls to Action. Furthermore, it will be embedded within and centered on BC Housing’s mandate to facilitate the delivery of safe, secure, and affordable housing. BC Housing commissioned Two Worlds Consulting (TWC) to lead discussions with Indigenous Nations, communities, and organizations, BC Housing staff, and BC Housing’s Board of Commissioners regarding how to develop a Reconciliation Strategy. Engagement occurred between December 2019 and June 2020 and included organizations with whom BC Housing had a business relationship. The engagement activities included: • Twenty-three phone interviews with BC Housing staff; • Seven phone interviews with BC Housing Board members; and, • Thirty-nine phone discussions and five written submissions from representatives of Indigenous housing providers and organizations, Indigenous non-housing organizations, and Nations with whom BC Housing had an existing relationship. A large portion of this engagement took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, which placed increased pressure on BC Housing and Indigenous Nations, communities, and organizations as they addressed COVID-related matters and emergencies. Although TWC’s engagement plan was not significantly impacted by the pandemic, COVID-19 health and safety requirements (e.g., social distancing and restrictions on large gatherings) have implications for BC Housing and the Reconciliation Strategy Steering Committee as they continue to advance work on developing the Reconciliation Strategy.
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