RECONCILIATION: MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER - BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
PAGE 73
saying, ‘Okay, how do I make this easier for you?’ – Indigenous Housing Organization
6.3.1.3 Suggestions for Improving the Relationships Indigenous Nations, communities, and organizations suggested several ways that their relationships with BC Housing can be improved, which are provided in Table 9 below. Table 9: Indigenous Nations, Communities, and Organizations' Suggestions for Building, Maintaining, and Enhancing Relationships Category Suggestions Improve Communication and Transparency • Invest more time into having regular check-ins and ongoing dialogue with Indigenous Nations/communities/organizations, as opposed to only engaging when an opportunity comes up. • Visit Nations, communities, and organizations in person and increase face-to- face interactions. • Pursue more informal relationship-building opportunities such as sharing a
meal or helping with community activities (e.g., community garden). • Show up at Indigenous events and conferences, particularly when considering hiring or procuring Indigenous businesses and organizations. • When a perceived conflict arises between BC Housing and partner, or may arise, take the necessary time to engage in an open discussion with the Indigenous Nation, community, or organization on how to move forward in a good way. • Start with acknowledging BC Housing’s role in colonial history, including any of its institutional failures (e.g. policies and practices) that may have historically harmed Indigenous Nations and communities. • Recognize the authority of Indigenous Nations and communities, including their leadership and rights and title to their traditional territories. • Involve Indigenous Nations, communities, and organizations in BC Housing’s decision-making and planning processes. • Collaborate with Indigenous Nations to develop housing programs, operating agreements, and budgets. • Be flexible to the diverse needs of Indigenous peoples. • Work with Indigenous Nations, communities, and organizations to create increased flexibility in the requirements of the Indigenous Housing Fund to recognize and accommodate the unique cultural and community needs of Indigenous Nations, communities, and organizations (such as single and multi-person housing; gathering spaces; larger kitchens; housing to accommodate multi-generational families). • Discuss with Indigenous Nations, communities, and organizations how BC Housing can support their interests in housing development and management in a way that recognizes capacity needs, builds relationships and advances decolonized partnerships (e.g. through AHMA and/or with Indigenous Nations, communities, and other Indigenous organizations) • Recruit Indigenous staff and Board members. • Increase staff resourcing of Indigenous Relations at BC Housing and have more representation in each geographical region. • Develop a shared understanding of what reconciliation means as a process embedded within BC Housing and a course of action undertaken consistently over time to decolonize policies, programs, and practices with staff across the organization: • Deliver standardized training in the areas of Indigenous cultural humility, safety, and sensitivity.
Decolonize Approaches to Relationship-Building
Address Inherent Structural Barriers
Made with FlippingBook - Share PDF online