RECONCILIATION: MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER - UNDERSTANDING RECONCILIATION
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We also heard that BC Housing is dedicated to learning about how they can do things in a better way. Several respondents mentioned that BC Housing is listening intently and taking their recommendations into consideration. A few people have also noticed changes in BC Housing’s understanding of reconciliation within recent years. For example, some respondents mentioned that the organization’s engagement and business practices (e.g., when they do land acknowledgments) are beginning to feel more authentic and genuine. A couple of people suggested that the creation of roles such as the Director of Indigenous Relations within BC Housing helped to
Why This Is Important BC Housing has made changes that are being reported as more positive and authentic. This is important because there are actions and steps to build on; however, this needs to be looked at alongside other comments about how BC Housing should support meaningful Indigenous input into housing development as well as Indigenous decision-making processes.
demonstrate BC Housing’s commitment to reconciliation. This perspective addresses the issue that Indigenous people should be speaking for Indigenous people and staff should be undertaking ongoing education on Indigenous culture and practices. We heard from a few respondents that there is some confusion for Indigenous housing providers, Nations, and communities because they do not always know who to turn to for different issues when they arise. We also heard that having internal Indigenous-focused positions within BC Housing (e.g., a Director of Indigenous Relations and Director of Indigenous Asset Management) has contributed to tension or a conflict of interest between BC Housing and AHMA. Some respondents mentioned that having these positions in BC Housing duplicates the work of AHMA. Building capacity with and within Indigenous communities and organizations is viewed differently depending on the perspective. This can mean recruiting and retaining Indigenous staff within BC Housing to engage with Indigenous people or it can mean recognizing that Indigenous communities want to make decisions over housing for their own people. While this is a matter for further discussion with Indigenous Nations, communities, and organizations, BC Housing needs to ensure that the Indigenous capacity within BC Housing should not be built at the cost of diminishing housing capacity within Indigenous communities and organizations. One person indicated that BC Housing supports reconciliation by being flexible and recognizing the cultural needs of their organization. They commented that BC Housing has been open to discussing different approaches to housing design to ensure that it is culturally responsive. This comment reflects the fact that there are successes being experienced from an Indigenous perspective. This is important because circumstances where an approach is working needs to be recognized and dissected to determine why it is successful. This does not mean duplicating this exact approach for other situations but being aware of the key elements that made the approach successful.
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