Photo: Nlaka’pamux territory, lower Nicola

It’s about a better future for everyone.

Together, in consultation and co-operation with Indigenous Peoples, we will advance reconciliation in tangible and measurable ways in B.C. – today and into the future.

Photo: Nlaka’pamux territory, lower Nicola

Two people walk through a tall grassy clearing surrounded by forest and mountain.

Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act

The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act) passed unanimously in the B.C. legislature on November 26, 2019, and came into force on November 29, 2019. B.C. is the first jurisdiction in Canada to have passed legislation to formally adopt the internationally recognized standards of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN Declaration).

The Declaration Act mandates government to bring provincial laws into alignment with the UN Declaration and to develop and implement an action plan to achieve the objectives of the UN Declaration in consultation and co-operation with Indigenous Peoples.

Through this work, B.C. is building a province where Indigenous Peoples’ excellence, leadership, governance, and self-determination is recognized and respected.

Three young people standing in the clam field, holding clams and smiling.

Annual reports

The Province reports on progress made to implement the Declaration Act through annual reports – a requirement of the Act. The annual reports are developed in consultation and co-operation with Indigenous Peoples in B.C. and publicly released by June 30 each year.

Lauren Marchand smiles down at her smiling daughter outside their house.

Stories

Read, watch, and listen to stories that capture the work being done to build a future where First Nations, Métis and Inuit people in B.C. have full enjoyment of their inherent rights and opportunity to pursue their dreams and raise their families.

Dallas Nikal points out across rushing water, guiding the attention of a young adult standing next to him.

Declaration Act Action Plan

The Declaration Act Action Plan, released in March 2022, is the first of its kind. Built in consultation and co-operation with Indigenous Peoples, the plan articulates the specific actions every ministry in government will take over five years to create a better B.C. for everyone.

Declaration Act Secretariat

The Declaration Act Secretariat, led by Deputy Minister Jessica Wood/Si Sityaawks, is a central agency within government that was created to guide and assist the Province to ensure provincial laws align with the UN Declaration and are developed in consultation and co-operation with Indigenous Peoples, as set out in section 3 of the Declaration Act.

Aerial view of hands holding fabric sachets in different colours, an offering to a person standing across from them.

Interim approach

The Secretariat released the ‘Interim Approach to Implement the Requirements of Section 3 of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act’ in October 2022.

Desert mountain range along a river.

About the Secretariat

Announced in Budget 2022, the Secretariat’s core functions are to provide guidance on consultation and co-operation and consistency of laws; develop processes and measures to support alignment of laws; inform government’s legislative agenda and serve in an interlocutor role.

Jessica and Priscilla sitting together at a long table, smiling and laughing while handling papers. They sit in front of the BC and Canada flags, and the wood panelled wall has traditional artwork.

Declaration Act Secretariat Leadership

Meet the Declaration Act Secretariat.

Careers with the Secretariat

Learn more about career opportunities with the Secretariat.

Acknowledgement

We acknowledge the territories of First Nations around B.C. and are grateful to carry out our work on these lands. We acknowledge the rights, interests, priorities and concerns of all Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Métis and Inuit), respecting and acknowledging their distinct cultures, histories, rights, laws and governments.