Measuring progress
As the first jurisdiction to adopt the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN Declaration) and create an action plan, B.C. is leading the way to advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and create a better future for all.
The Declaration Act Action Plan represents complex, interconnected and generational change – all within the context of first-of-its-kind work. As the Province navigates this work in partnership with Indigenous Peoples, there is a need for deeper measurement of what is working and what is not so efforts can be expanded or shift course. At the same time, longer-range signals of progress towards the Action Plan outcomes will also need to be considered.
The Province is working with First Nations and Métis partner organizations to identify meaningful indicators that will support accountability and show progress against the Action Plan outcome statements.
The collaborative actions underway will identify new indicators where significant and critical work is occurring. This work will be grounded in Indigenous data sovereignty and will reflect the growing institutional capacity among First Nations and Métis to govern and report on their data.
Measuring progress on outcomes through an action plan indicator framework will provide new and unique insights that will strengthen this complex work in efficient, effective and partnered ways. The Province is committed to accountable and transparent reporting through improved data and measurement in consultation and co-operation with Indigenous Peoples.
Using icons to show progress
The Annual Report progress is measured through an implementation status dashboard of icons illustrating progress in four dimensions. Icons are created from information collected from ministries, who partner with First Nations and Indigenous organizations they work with. This information also informs the Annual Report.
The following four categories are used to help define the progress of each action.
1. How far along is this work?
Determined using standard project schedule stages:
- Started
- Planning
- Implementing
- Complete
2. How complicated is this work?
Determined using the number of identified subtasks for each action, plus the number of ministries involved in each action, plus the number of years in the planning and implementing stages for each action.
Categorization:
- Some Complexity: score of 4 or less
- Moderate Complexity: score of 5-6
- Notable Complexity: score of 7+
3. Are there challenges?
Based on “risks” and “obstacles” identified for each action.
4. How are we working together?
Using yes/no responses to the following questions for each action:
- Partner(s) identified?
- Consultation and co-operation plan or approach is in place or in development with Indigenous partners?
- Partner(s) involved in report development/co-development?
- Input has been gathered/meetings have been held?
Categorization:
- No engagement: score of 0
- Some engagement: score of 1-2
- Moderate engagement: score of 3-4
- Notable engagement: score of 5
Each icon is assigned a colour, signifying where it is in implementation. The colour of the icon and circle around it will change to show the different stages of each category. Actions that are set to report in future years have their icons greyed out and text that notes “action not yet reporting”.
Ministries identified when each of the 89 actions in the Declaration Act Action Plan would begin substantial implementation (by year) and begin reporting. Learn more about the Action Plan.
The following information explains a series of icons that are used to indicate the status of the actions outlined in the information below. Visually the icons have colours assigned to them to indicate their current status from lowest to complete (the latter of which is referred to as “transformed”).
How far along is this work?
Stage of transformation (Salmon icon)
When we think of life, it’s cycles of transformation. We think of our relations with salmon. Salmon is the chief of the water and a representation of critical thinking, taking action and overcoming obstacles. Their cycle of birth, journey, and returning to the land remind us of our reciprocal responsibility and that, with our limited time on earth, we must contribute in a meaningful way. Salmon return the earth and feed it so that other beings may thrive.
Lowest level
Started
Mid-level
Planning
High Level
Implementation
Transformed
Completed
How complicated is this work?
Complexity (Rock icon)
How much work needs to be done? How big is the rock we must carry? We call on the image of the rock, which reminds us of the physicality of our test of strength competitions. The heavy lifting is not just about brute strength but about how we position ourselves and use our whole being to lift.
Lowest level
Some
complexity
Mid-level
Moderate complexity
High Level
Notable complexity
Transformed
Complexity resolved
Are there challenges?
Risks (Medicine bundle icon)
The medicine bundle is a symbol of protection and ceremony. When it comes to risk and challenges, we are reminded of the work that our ancestors undertook to prepare mind, body, and spirit for the things creator would place in front of us. Managing risk is achieved through years of preparation, gaining knowledge, training, ceremony, and mastery.
Lowest level
Some
challenges
Mid-level
Moderate challenges
High Level
Notable challenges
Transformed
Challenges resolved
How are we working together?
Engagement (Weaving icon)
Braiding all the necessary pieces together, the land, water, and the people into spaces where deep consultation and co-operation can happen. Each strand is important, each voice is important.
Lowest level
Some engagement
Mid-level
Moderate engagement
High Level
Notable engagement
Transformed
Full
engagement