RECONCILIATION: MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER - UNDERSTANDING RECONCILIATION
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Indigenous population. Moreover, it means avoiding blanket policies for all Indigenous peoples, and instead choosing to treat each Indigenous Nation or community uniquely. Indigenous people have diverse histories, cultures, knowledge, and practices. As noted in these comments, this means that BC Housing needs to understand Indigenous cultural diversity and undertake their work in a way that adapts to the specific needs and aspirations of communities. “The government falling back to distinction-based groups and the concept of reconciliation through government-to-government relationships because that’s how it’s defined in UNDRIP is missing the reality of those 60-80 percent [of the urban Indigenous population] that are not going to get captured in the government-to-government relations, but those are important and essential. - Indigenous Housing Organization 4.3.1.2 How BC Housing Supports Reconciliation Indigenous Nations, communities, and organizations commented that BC Housing demonstrates reconciliation by providing and expanding its support to Indigenous housing projects, building collaborative relationships, and engaging in a process of learning.
Why This Is Important Indigenous groups recognize that the work BC Housing is doing to support housing in communities is an important aspect of reconciliation. The expansion to on-reserve housing was an important step in expanding action toward addressing Indigenous housing needs and issues.
Several respondents discussed ways that BC Housing provides support to Indigenous Nations, communities, and organizations. Most notably, they commented on how BC Housing recently expanded its support to on- reserve housing projects through the Indigenous Housing Fund. A couple of people also mentioned that BC Housing’s mandate to meet Indigenous housing needs through affordable housing programs is a good example of how they support reconciliation. Another common theme that emerged was that BC Housing builds collaborative relationships with
Indigenous Nations, communities, and organizations. A few people shared that BC Housing’s staff take the time to listen to them and understand their concerns. Some people also noted that BC Housing shows commitment by being readily available (e.g., through phone, email, or video conferencing) and attentive to their needs. “BC Housing has gone out of their way to help us. They came out here 2-3 times already. We had really decent meetings with them. From when I first contacted them, they’ve been pretty prompt on things. - Indigenous Nation
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