RECONCILIATION: MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER - BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
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Why This Is Important
“It would help us make plans if we knew what was intended for us, because we feel like we
Timely and responsive communication is important in order to build and maintain respectful relationships. Communication needs to occur on a consistent and ongoing basis to ensure openness and a two-way flow of information and feedback. Issues raised such as communicating when there are housing program changes, adjustments to timeframes or conflicts require more intensive and open communication.
are just in a bubble and not being communicated with. From an agency
perspective, I’m quite disappointed because I am only told about things after the fact, rather than being part of the conversation. – – Indigenous Housing Organization A few people commented that they had experienced slow response times when communicating with BC Housing. For example, one organization shared how they were contacted at the beginning of their project, but that they were not kept in the loop when it was put on hold. They indicated that they have not been able to reach anyone at BC Housing despite multiple attempts to contact them.
We also heard from one respondent that when a perceived conflict or tension arises, BC Housing withdraws itself from the situation, instead of working with the Indigenous Nations, communities, or organizations to find a solution. Communicating consistently is important. BC Housing needs to look at its communication practices and protocols during the full program implementation and housing development cycle and ask whether the timing, scope and type of communication is clear and handled consistently. Colonial Practices Approximately one-fifth of the respondents (9
Why This Is Important Supporting flexibility and acknowledging the diversity across Indigenous Nations, communities, and organizations is a key aspect of reconciliation. This comment was provided in other contexts indicating that the unique interests of urban and rural and on-/off-reserve communities are not also recognized and addressed by BC Housing. Moreover, Article 32 of UNDRIP states that Indigenous peoples have the right to determine how they use their lands and resources. This right includes the freedom to decide how and for what purposes Indigenous Nations or communities choose to use their land.
out of 44) indicated that BC Housing sometimes applies colonial practices or approaches to working with Indigenous Peoples and that this negatively impacts their relationships with Indigenous Nations, communities, and organizations. “On-reserve is a totally different
scenario, so sometimes it is kind of like putting a square peg in a round hole. BC Housing is obviously a large organization and they have a way they like to do things and it doesn’t always fit for a reserve. – Indigenous Nation
We heard from three individuals (7 percent of respondents) that BC Housing does not adapt
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