Whereas the Province of British Columbia has enacted Bill 41-2019, the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act to align BCs laws with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples UNDRIP; And whereas UNDRIP includes Article 5: Indigenous peoples have the right to maintain and strengthen their distinct political, legal, economic, social and culture institutions while retaining their right to participate fully, if they so choose, in the political, economic, social and cultural life of the State; And whereas the Local Government Act does not allow for Indigenous peoples representation at regional district tables when the regional district is situated in non-treaty territory: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM encourage the Province to, in consultation with BC Indigenous peoples and impacted regional districts, explore options for making regional governance more inclusive of Indigenous peoples including potentially amending the Local Government Act to include self-determined participation by BC Indigenous peoples as voting regional district directors.
Ministry of Municipal Affairs The Province is committed to advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and building relationships that are based on respect, recognition of title and rights, and in support of self-determination and self-governance. The Province is encouraged to see many local governments and Indigenous governments working together to take actions that support meaningful reconciliation. A key part of self-determination is being able to identify how best to collaborate in government-to-government relationships and participate in decisions that affect your community. The BC Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Declaration Act provides a path forward and co-operative relationships between local governments and First Nations are an important part of supporting reconciliation province-wide. The draft action plan to implement the Declaration Act will help guide the Provinces implementation, including legislative amendments, over time. Theme 1: Self-determination and self-governance action 1.1.3 reads: Support inclusive regional governance by advancing Indigenous participation in regional district boards. Ministry of Municipal Affairs. The Province will be reviewing comments from First Nations communities, leadership and Indigenous peoples and organizations on 1.1.3. The Province knows there is a strong, and growing, interest in direct participation of First Nations at the regional district board table. More work will need to be done to understand the challenges, benefits, and opportunities for Indigenous governments to be directly involved in the governance of regional services. In the interim, we encourage communities to learn from examples of Indigenous and regional district collaboration that already exist and apply them where appropriate. These include sitting on the Board and on Committees in an advisory role, entering into agreements and protocols, and holding regional forums and other events, for collaborative dialogue.