How are we working together?
Tribunals accountable to the Ministry of Attorney General work with Indigenous partners through advisory committees and direct engagement with Indigenous communities and organizations.
Advisory committees support Tribunals in developing reconciliation plans, building cultural competency among staff and members, identifying and implementing culturally safe and inclusive practices and creating supportive services that reduce barriers and improve access for Indigenous participants. For example, the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal (BCHRT) has been working since 2020 to implement the recommendations of the Expanding Our Vision: Cultural Equality and Indigenous Peoples’ Human Rights report, supported by an implementation committee, and has made marked progress as set out in its annual reports. The Environmental Appeal Board is working to update its rules and processes with the guidance of the Reconciliation Advisory Committee.
In 2025 the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) met with First Nations to discuss their participation in BCUC processes, collaborated with the First Nations Energy and Mining Council to deliver seminars, and initiated a dialogue with the Métis Nation British Columbia. The Health Professions Review Board (HPRB) works regularly with First Nations Health Authority, which offers support to Indigenous parties to HPRB proceedings. Some Tribunals also participate in conferences or workshops hosted by Indigenous organizations and invite Indigenous speakers to present at Tribunal meetings.
Are there challenges?
Many Tribunals face growing demands on resources, including high case volumes and increasing case complexity. Others may have modest caseloads but operate with limited staff. While these challenges have slowed progress on some initiatives, Tribunals continue to plan and implement process improvements, consult and collaborate with Indigenous partners and seek ways to expand capacity for this important work.
Highlights
Tribunals have updated processes, rules and forms to improve services and supports for Indigenous participants. They have introduced Indigenous-specific services within case management and complaint resolutions processes, supported by dedicated staff who provide guidance, resources and an environment of cultural safety, including the BCHRT Case Managers of Indigenous Services and CRT Navigator.
Many Tribunals have also expanded representation of Indigenous staff and members within their organizations and undertaken recruitment activities dedicated to broadening the diversity of Tribunal members. Recruitment of Indigenous staff and members (adjudicators) occurs through active engagement with organizations such as the Indigenous Bar Association.
Tribunals continue to expand the capacity of staff and members to support Indigenous participants by providing training in truth and reconciliation, trauma informed practice, Indigenous law, cultural competency, history of government actions toward Indigenous People and implicit bias. The BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) hosts a quarterly Indigenous Speakers’ Series to support internal capacity development. The 2025 series included presentations from representatives of the First Nations Major Projects Coalition and the Gitga’at Nation.
The BCUC established and subsequently expanded a permanent funding program, the Indigenous Capacity Fund (ICF), to reduce financial barriers for Indigenous government and organizations to participate in BCUC regulatory processes.