RECONCILIATION: MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER - SUPPORTING RECONCILIATION
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Table 13: Ways BC Housing Has Not Involved Indigenous Nations, Communities, and Organizations in Decision-making Category Examples Participation in dialogue • No room for Indigenous peoples to make their own decisions within BC Housing’s current structure and processes; BC Housing is trying to stick a round peg in a square hole • Instructed an Indigenous Nation to use a specific consultant against the Nation’s wishes • Conveys BC Housing will do something but then does not follow through • Indigenous Nations not feeling heard • No ongoing communication unless a new project is being built
• Dialogue is not prioritized; BC Housing provides information on funding programs and tells the Indigenous Nation or organization to apply if their idea conforms with the funding programs • Historically did not include all Indigenous organizations in Indigenous Housing Fund processes and feedback
• Has not reached out to organizations to ask what their needs are
Support
• Conveys that BC Housing worries about what the non-Indigenous population will think about their Indigenous approach instead of just asking, ‘What is the right thing to do?’
Adaptability
• Not collaborative • Has a self-serving mentality
Relationships
• Engagement can come across as a box on a check list rather than the realisation that Indigenous Nations, communities, and organizations are a part of the fabric of reconciliation and should be seen as valid partners • Relationship building feels like one step forward and two steps back in terms of continuity in respect and empowerment. BC Housing currently holds all the power in the relationship.
7.3.1.4 Areas for Improvement The top themes that emerged with respect to how BC Housing can better support Indigenous self- determination included improving communication, building capacity, adaptability, and moving autonomy and authority to Indigenous Nations, communities, and organizations. Many respondents emphasized that communication needs to happen in a more significant manner, both in terms of speed, consistency, and transparency. There was a sense of frustration that BC Housing through its decision-making processes does not support Indigenous self-determination in part because BC Housing’s current structure does not allow for it; many used the analogy of trying to stick a round peg into a square hole. Suggestions on how to improve communication included: • More in person meetings;
Why This Is Important The right to free, prior, and informed consent is a key theme of UNDRIP. It is the idea that Indigenous peoples have the right to obtain all the information necessary to consult or make a decision on matters that impact them (UNDRIP). This speaks to the need for BC Housing to be more forthcoming and transparent within communications. Article 18 describes the right of Indigenous peoples to participate in decision-making processes that impact them.
• Regular meetings with Chief and Councils to discuss how communities can work towards self- determination and how BC Housing can support these efforts;
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