Declaration Act Secretariat
The Declaration Act Secretariat supports the Province in the implementation of all sections of the Declaration Act. The Secretariat is a central agency within government and was announced in Budget 2022.
In 2022, the B.C. Government established the Declaration Act Secretariat, a central agency within government that guides and supports the implementation of the Declaration Act across the B.C. government. Originally, the Secretariat focused on ensuring provincial laws align with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN Declaration) and are developed in consultation and co-operation with Indigenous Peoples, as set out in Section 3 of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act).
Since spring 2025, the Secretariat has held all sections of the Declaration Act, providing advice and coordination for the Province in the following areas:
- Sections 6 and 7 allow for flexibility for the Province to enter into agreements with a broader range of Indigenous governments and to exercise statutory decision-making authority together.
- Section 3 mandates the government to bring provincial laws into alignment with the UN Declaration.
- Section 4 requires the Province to develop and implement an action plan, in consultation and co-operation with Indigenous Peoples, to meet the objectives of the UN Declaration.
- Section 5 requires regular reporting to the legislature to monitor progress on the alignment of laws and implementation of the action plan, including tabling annual reports by June 30 of each year.
Declaration Act
Secretariat Leadership
Meet the Declaration Act Secretariat
Denise Devenny
Assistant Deputy Minister
Denise Devenny is the Assistant Deputy Minister for Declaration Act Secretariat (DAS). Denise is a member of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation in Manitoba and moved to British Columbia over 20 years ago after finishing her social work degree at the University of Manitoba. Denise started her career with the Ministry of Children and Family Development as a front-line child protection social worker and held a variety of roles within that ministry.
Since 2017, Denise has worked with Indigenous communities, first as Executive Lead and then as Assistant Deputy Minister (2019), Partnership and Indigenous Engagement Division, Ministry of Children and Family Development, continuing to support Indigenous People as they chart their own paths regarding child and family jurisdiction and authority.
In April 2026, Denise was appointed as Assistant Deputy Minister, Declaration Act Secretariat, and now leads the important work of guiding and assisting the province to ensure provincial laws align with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and are developed in consultation and cooperation with Indigenous Peoples, as set out in section 3 of the Declaration Act.
Core functions of DAS include:
• develop an Action Plan to meet the objectives of the UNDRIP;
• develop processes and measures to support alignment of laws;
• assist ministries in advancing legislative initiatives in alignment with the UNDRIP and in meeting legislative alignment obligations;
• inform government’s legislative agenda; and,
• serve in an interlocutor role for the Province and Indigenous Peoples.
Jackie Demerse-Abbasi
Executive Director, Social Justice and Policing
Jackie was born and raised on Treaty 4 territory in Saskatchewan, home of the Cree, Saulteaux, Nakota, Lakota, Dakota, and homeland of the Métis. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) and Masters in Public Administration from the University of Regina, and PhD (abd) from the University of Western Ontario specializing in multi-level governance, public policy, and Canadian politics. Jackie has a diverse background in both the public and academic sectors. Over the years, she has taught graduate and undergraduate courses in local government, public administration, and strategic planning. Most recently, Jackie held the role of Director of Indigenous Economic Development at the Ministry of Trade and Export Development with the Government of Saskatchewan. Prior to this, she was the Director, then Acting Executive Director of the Status of Women Office and Senior Legislative Analyst with the Ministry of Government Relations.
Jackie has worked collaboratively with Indigenous communities, organizations and people on files spanning economic reconciliation, gender equity and gender-based violence including MMIWG2S+. And, as the daughter of a Sixties Scoop survivor, understands the cumulative impact of colonial policies and importance of connection/re-connection to community and Indigenous ways of knowing and being. She is married with two boys under the age of six and is grateful for the opportunity to live, work and play on the traditional territories of the Lekwungen speaking peoples, the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations, in Victoria B.C.
Yimmie Sonuga
Executive Director, Natural Resources
Yimmie is the Executive Director supporting Natural Resource Sector ministries at the Declaration Act Secretariat. After closely following the development and subsequent enactment of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act), she joined the BC Public Service to support efforts to implement it.
Since joining the BC Public Service, she has held a number of policy and legislation senior leadership roles. During her tenure, she has worked to build internal capacity around requirements under the Declaration Act and led several policy and or legislative initiatives. This includes the development of reconciliation-focused amendments to the Wildlife Act and the drafting of the Anti-Racism Act, 2024, which was developed in consultation and cooperation with Indigenous Peoples and engagement with racialized communities.
Prior to her time in B.C., she most recently worked in Alberta, where she successfully led the development and implementation of public policy and legislation in a variety of sectors such as transportation, economic development, innovation, advanced education and Crown agency oversight. To her role, Yimmie brings a relationship-centred approach and significant provincial and international leadership experience in strategic development, change leadership, legislation, policy, legal counsel, regulatory affairs, and governance, gained in public, private, and non-profit spheres. She has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from University of Alberta and an honours law degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
She is humbled to now live, work and play on the beautiful traditional territory of the lək̓ʷəŋən speaking Peoples (known today as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations). In her spare time, she enjoys creative pursuits and living an active outdoor lifestyle.
Dillon Halter
Executive Director, Projects, Planning and Reporting
Dillon Halter (she/her) is proud to be of Red River Métis and Scandinavian ancestry and is a grateful visitor on the unceded traditional territories of the Qualicum and K’ómoks First Nations. Her heritage and experiences have fostered a deep appreciation for the interconnectedness of all people and a lifelong commitment to bringing Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples together to address complex challenges through collaboration, creativity, and strong relationships.
In 2021, Dillon was awarded the Canadian Exemplary Service Medal in Corrections in recognition of more than two decades of contributions across Canada. Her work has been particularly impactful in advancing restorative justice, reconciliation, and culturally responsive leadership practices.
Dillon holds both a Bachelor of Social Work and a Master of Social Work, with a focus on leadership in human services. She brings more than 27 years of progressive public sector experience with the governments of British Columbia and Manitoba and has remained committed throughout her career to advancing community well-being, public safety, equity, and meaningful reconciliation.
Dillon began her career with Manitoba Justice, serving in a range of operational and executive leadership roles that shaped her commitment to social justice, relationship-building, and collaborative leadership.
Since joining the BC Public Service in 2019, Dillon has held several executive leadership positions, including Executive Director of Youth Justice; Executive Director, Indigenous Partnerships and Initiatives in the Ministry of Health; Executive Director, Intergovernmental Initiatives with Emergency Management and Climate Readiness; and most recently, Executive Director, Planning, Reporting and Projects with the Declaration Act Secretariat. Across these roles, she has led transformational initiatives that advance cultural safety, trauma-informed leadership, service excellence, and stronger outcomes for Indigenous Peoples and communities.
Outside of work, Dillon enjoys volunteering, spending time on the land, gardening, learning about different cultures, and exploring British Columbia’s coastline with her husband, Allan, and their three dogs.
