As the provincial government continues to accept input on its draft action plan to implement the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), UBCM has prepared a submission emphasizing its strong support for ongoing work towards reconciliation and relationship building, and requesting that the Province engage with local governments as DRIPA is implemented.
UBCM’s submission notes local governments’ longstanding support for the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and addresses the role of local governments as partners in reconciliation. While recognizing that the central emphasis of the draft action plan is the relationship between Indigenous governments and the Province, the submission also points towards the importance of engaging with local governments on issues that have bearing on their jurisdiction, to better support effective policy. The submission also reiterates local governments’ request for a delineation of local government responsibilities in relation to DRIPA, and suggests ways that UBCM can support this request.
The Province has extended the engagement period on the draft action plan, with submissions now being accepted through to September 15, 2021. Although input is focused on First Nations communities and leadership, and Indigenous peoples and organizations, the Province is accepting input from other bodies including local governments, as part of the broader engagement.