RECONCILIATION: MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER - BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
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Another common suggestion shared by the Board was to visit communities to meet with Indigenous groups, rather than having meetings primarily in BC Housing offices. This would provide the opportunity for Indigenous groups to meet in a space that is their own and where they feel comfortable. Someone also raised the possibility of holding Board meetings in Indigenous communities where BC Housing has projects. One respondent emphasized the need to increase BC Housing’s transparency within its decision-making processes. They also suggested that the organization be more proactive in finding ways to partner with and give authority to Indigenous Nations, communities, and organizations within decision-making processes. One Board member suggested that the Board support more capacity-building and educational opportunities for Indigenous organizations, communities, and individuals. This might include supporting Indigenous students to get into programs such as UBC’s Indigenous Community Planning program. One person shared that BC Housing should consider bringing provincial leadership and elected officials into their conversations with Indigenous leaders, organizations, Nations, and communities. They suggested that this would contribute to developing trust with Indigenous Nations, communities, and organizations. “We need to remove the ‘black box’ element of decision-making and have transparency. We could be pushed a little more into just looking for ways to really and truly partner and to delegate those decisions to Indigenous organizations, rather than have them just made by our development people at BC Housing. – BC Housing Board Member
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