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.
![Desert mountain range along a river.](https://declaration.gov.bc.ca/app/uploads/sites/562/2023/06/home-option-05-1024x764.jpg)
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.
![Aerial view of hands holding fabric sachets in different colours, an offering to a person standing across from them.](https://declaration.gov.bc.ca/app/uploads/sites/562/2023/06/home-option-04-1024x764.jpg)
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.
![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.](https://declaration.gov.bc.ca/app/uploads/sites/562/2023/06/home-option-06-1024x764.jpg)
Declaration Act Secretariat Leadership
Meet the Declaration Act Secretariat.