Highlights

Work on this action began late in the 2022/23 fiscal year with partner identification and contact occurring in November 2022. In February 2023, a working group comprised of Indigenous partners, the BC Public Service Agency (PSA), and Crown Agencies and Board Resourcing Office met and reviewed existing training for BC Public Service (BCPS) employees and known gaps. Three levels of training will be co-developed to achieve this action item and work has begun on an instructional design proposal for the first level of training.

An Indigenous consultant interviewed Indigenous members of public sector boards and the training recommendations were presented to the working group for initial feedback. Next steps will include co-development of training that is tailored to meet the learning needs of specific roles on public sector boards, with an emphasis on governing in the public interest in a manner that is inclusive of Indigenous rights.

Indicators

• Implementation project underway: A draft instructional design plan was created and is under revision for Level 1 training, the instructional design proposal was circulated with a working group and engagement will continue in the 2023/24 fiscal year.
• Implementation project underway: A learning needs assessment was completed for the Crown Agencies and Board Resourcing Office to identify training for public sector boards.

How are we working together?

The PSA is collaborating with First Nations organizations on an instructional design proposal for essentials training for approximately 36,000+ BCPS employees. The Ministry of Finance’s Crown Agencies and Board Resourcing Office (CABRO) is working to extend the PSA essentials training to approximately 3000 board members of public sector organizations and will collaborate with the same group of First Nations organizations, as part of the PSA process, as well as Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC), Urban Indigenous organizations and existing board members on this part of the work.

Are there challenges?

Competing priorities and finite capacity remain ongoing challenges for timely implementation.

Highlights

Put into effect on July 1, 2023, the new graduation requirement will ensure B.C. students have a deep understanding of Indigenous Peoples, their histories and cultures. The Ministry of Education and Child Care co-developed all Indigenous-focused graduation requirement materials with the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC). Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) reviewed and provided input on materials. Local B.C. First Nations involvement and sign-off is required for development of local courses that can meet the new graduation requirement. Co-construction with FNESC has been a priority for all resource development and curriculum implementation activities.

Indicators

• Training sessions held: Ongoing professional development workshops supporting the implementation of the Indigenous-focused graduation requirement.
• Implementation project underway: Ministerial Order drafted to implement mandatory bundle of credits in July 2023.

How are we working together?

Invitations were sent to each First Nation in B.C. and to MNBC to invite input into the new graduation requirement. Regular meetings continue to be held with FNESC and other as-required meetings with partners. Resources related to the graduation requirement have been developed collaboratively with FNESC.

Are there challenges?

This action item was identified as having no challenges at time of reporting. Further Annual Report updates may change this action’s challenge icon status indicator.

Highlights

On June 14, 2022, a new Cultural Safety and Humility standard was released. This is the first standard of this type within Canada and was the culmination of years of effort and partnership between the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), the Health Standards Organization and multiple Indigenous organizations and thought leaders. The standard is currently being used to help guide health system organizations as they work towards improved cultural safety and humility with the intent that this standard will subsequently become part of the suite of accreditation standards that Accreditation Canada uses to assess and accredit health care organizations.                    

On November 24, 2022, the B.C. government received royal assent for the new Health Professions and Occupations Act to reduce the number of regulatory colleges through amalgamation, reform complaints processes to improve accountability and transparency, commit to cultural safety and humility and improve governance systems. This represents a proactive approach and significant step forward to eliminate discrimination in B.C.’s health care system. Regulated health professionals and regulated occupations under the Act will be required to embed anti-discrimination measures in the delivery of health care services. Discrimination will be a form of professional misconduct or actionable conduct, which will require regulatory colleges to take action against professionals and occupations when they discriminate against others.

Indicators

• Policies/reports developed: First annual progress report on the In Plain Sight recommendations was released December 1, 2022.

How are we working together?

The various elements of the recommendations require different approaches for consultation and co-operation depending on who is leading the implementation and who the key partners are. Partnership with Indigenous organizations, leaders and communities across the province primarily include FNHA, Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC), First Nations Health Council (FNHC), regional Nation executive tables and the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC). Some recommendations are being pursued primarily through partnerships and actions from health authorities. The approach that each health authority is taking on implementation can be driven by their relationships with FNHA, MNBC and regional Indigenous leaders and governing bodies. While there are significant alignments across the province, each region can have a unique structure and processes that work in that regional context. There are also regular meetings with the vice presidents from across the health authorities, as well as regular meetings with the board members. The Ministry of Health continues to observe and learn from the collaboration and co-operation pathways that other projects and ministries are following in addition to the guidance provided by the Declaration Act Secretariat.

Are there challenges?

The greatest risks to full implementation in a timely manner are competing priorities and finite capacity across the health system and Indigenous organizations and communities for meaningful engagement and partnerships. The Ministry of Health recognizes that Indigenous Peoples and many other health system partners have not been adequately resourced to meet the competing and increasingly heavy and complex demands on their capacity for full co-operation and collaboration on all issues and opportunities.

Highlights

The BC First Nations Justice Council (BCFNJC) hosted its annual First Nations Justice Forum in Vancouver from March 6-8, 2023. The forum served as an opportunity to bring together First Nations leaders, Rights holders, Knowledge Keepers, and subject matter experts in British Columbia with an in-depth understanding of Indigenous justice to set priorities for the road ahead in advancing implementation of the BC First Nations Justice Strategy.This was the first annual forum since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the first since the provincial endorsement of the First Nations Justice Strategy in February 2020.

Budget 2023/24 included the announcement of funding over the next two years to open an additional 10 Indigenous Justice Centres (IJCs) in the province. Operated by the BCFNJC, IJCs provide culturally appropriate information, advice, support and legal representation on criminal and child protection matters directly to Indigenous people at the community level. They take a holistic approach to client and community wellness by facilitating client connections to supports such as housing, mental health and addictions treatment and employment services. IJCs currently operate in-person in Merritt, Prince George and Prince Rupert, as well as a virtual IJC that clients across the province can access regardless of location. Collectively, the IJCs have helped more than 400 individuals since 2020. The locations for the next five IJCs scheduled to open have been identified as Kelowna, Nanaimo, Surrey, Vancouver and Victoria.

Indicators

• Number of implementation projects underway: Initiated work on 11 of 25 strategies within the BC First Nations Justice Strategy.

How are we working together?

In developing the strategy, BCFNJC consulted with First Nations leadership over numerous meetings and summits. Consultation with First Nations communities continues when needed to implement strategies that operate at the community level. The Province of B.C., BCFNJC and the Government of Canada host a tripartite leadership circle and an annual tripartite ministers meeting.

Are there challenges?

The implementation workplan was endorsed in 2021 and is at risk of not proceeding as planned as both BCFNJC and the Province are advancing work in an ad hoc manner without dedicated provincial funding for implementation.

Highlights

Over the past year, Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) and the Province worked collaboratively to advance the development of the Métis Justice Strategy (MJS) with the goal of having this strategy endorsed by both parties. The strategy is on a pathway to approval in 2023/24.

Indicators

• Policies/Reports developed: The final draft of the MJS has been developed and is pending endorsement.
• Implementation plan developed: The implementation workplan for the MJS has been developed and is pending endorsement.

How are we working together?

MNBC completed consultation with Métis Chartered Communities. The Province is nearing completion of internal consultation with impacted areas to develop an implementation workplan. The Province and MNBC meet regularly to work towards seeking endorsement.

Are there challenges?

This action item was identified as having no challenges at time of reporting. Further Annual Report updates may change this action’s challenge icon status indicator.