Highlights To achieve the Province’s target of building 3,500 new housing units for Indigenous Peoples on- and off- reserve across British Columbia, the Ministry of Housing is working to strengthen existing partnerships, build new relationships, and advance housing projects that support Indigenous leadership, input, and participation throughout the housing sector and across all Ministry initiatives.…

Highlights The Province committed to an Indigenous-led process that brings together urban Indigenous leaders to create better outcomes for Indigenous Peoples in urban areas. On February 22, 2023, an initial dialogue was attended by 50+ urban Indigenous leaders from across the province. This started the conversation and provided an opportunity to explore how people and…

Highlights Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) and the Province of British Columbia have reset their relationship to support the B.C.-Métis relations table and fulfill objectives under the Declaration Act Action Plan. The formation of technical tables specific to economic development, culture, housing, health and emergency management are significant steps forward in supporting Métis reconciliation efforts…

Highlights In collaboration with First Nations in B.C., Métis and Inuit, the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) continues the work to substantially reduce the number of Indigenous children and youth in care through the ongoing transformation and enhancement of children and family services across British Columbia. First Nations, Métis and Inuit have long…

Highlights Approved funding for real-time virtual support services in 2023/24 supported physicians and other health care providers to provide culturally safe virtual primary care services, including extended hours and increased access to care for those who have difficulties travelling. While respectfully acknowledging the capacity and priorities of First Nations, Métis and Inuit across the province,…

Highlights Prescribed alternatives to the toxic supply (formerly termed ‘prescribed safer supply’) and other harm reduction efforts are part of a comprehensive package of health sector interventions to address the toxic drug crisis and function to provide life-saving interventions. As of December 2023, there are 50 overdose prevention services (OPS) and supervised consumption services (SCS)…

Highlights The Ministry of Health is advancing the planning and implementation of Primary Care Networks (PCNs) and First Nations-led Primary Care Centres (FNPCCs) across the province, involving First Nations and Métis partnerships that are reflective of the local communities and regions they will serve. As of March 2024, 79 of 103 planned PCNs have launched…

Highlights The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport (TACS) and the sport branch celebrate the many achievements of the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (ISPARC) from 2023-24. TACS is proud to provide $1.4 million in annual funding to ISPARC, which has had a great impact on B.C.’s Indigenous sport landscape. The additional…

Highlights The passing of Bill 40, the School Amendment Act, on November 8, 2023, introduces a provincial requirement for Indigenous Education Councils in every school district to advise boards on improving achievement of Indigenous students, provide advice on, and approve the board’s spending plans and reports in relation to Indigenous Education Targeted Funds. These changes…

Highlights The Ministry of Education and Child Care (ECC) releases the Aboriginal: How Are We Doing? Report annually. For the second year, superintendents of each of the 60 school districts received letters with district-level reports that also highlighted the Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA) as a key indicator for literacy and numeracy. ECC acknowledges the importance…