Whereas the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action No. 57, Professional Development and Training for Public Servants states: We call upon federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments to provide education to public servants on the history of Aboriginal peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and AboriginalCrown relations. This will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism; And whereas cultural awareness training provides the foundation for learning and valuing different perspectives and backgrounds: Therefore be it resolved that British Columbia local governments be encouraged to undergo localized Indigenous Cultural Awareness Training and to advance all Calls to Action within the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
Ministry of Municipal Affairs The province encourages local government elected officials and staff to undertake localized Indigenous Cultural Awareness Training and to advance Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission as well as the articles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Memorandum of Understanding on Engagement with UBCM and Local Governments on First Nations Negotiations and Other Indigenous Initiatives MOU signed by the province and UBCM in 2021 acknowledges the work of the Union of BC Municipalities and local governments in BC are already doing. More importantly, the MOU underscores our shared commitment to implementing the UN Declaration and the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions Calls to Action going forward. Many local governments have a program of Indigenous Cultural Awareness Training for elected officials and staff. Work is also underway to update the Guide to First Nations Engagement on Local Government Statutory Approvals Interim to emphasize the importance of cultural awareness training and other reconciliation initiatives.