The Province has released the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan, developed in consultation and co-operation with Indigenous Peoples, outlining 89 specific actions every ministry in government will take to create a better province for Indigenous Peoples in BC
“During the pandemic a lead group of BC chambers of commerce and boards of trade came together to ask the BC Government to create a meaningful action plan,” said Anita Huberman, President & CEO, Surrey Board of Trade. “The Surrey Board of Trade is pleased with the commitments outlined in the Declaration Act Action Plan. They are commitments that will ensure reconciliation is meaningfully accomplished. This will be a long-term journey.”
Our ask to the BC Government involved:
1. Engaging with Indigenous Peoples and the business community to ensure policies will be effective,
efficient and create positive outcomes for Indigenous Peoples and communities;
2. Supporting business through educational and mentorship programs to support policies as they are
implemented and into the future; and,
3. Continuing to grow sustainable economic projects with Indigenous partners that ensure positive economic outcomes within the Nations and is supported by non-Indigenous business communities.
The BC Government’s Declaration Act Action Plan includes commitments to:
recognize Indigenous Peoples’ inherent rights, interests and legal orders;
support Indigenous students to lead graduation rates and pursue to their own excellence;
enable all Indigenous Peoples to live free from racism and discrimination;
share decision-making and pursue new fiscal relationships;
improve the health and well-being of Indigenous families; and,
end the epidemic of Indigenous children in government care.
Surrey has the largest urban Indigenous population in British Columbia.
“Indigenous knowledge and economic partnerships are a priority for all businesses as we all continue on the path towards reconciliation and the implementation of the Declaration Act Action Plan.”
Read the Chamber of Commerce/Board of Trade Policy: https://businessinsurrey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/20210308-1014-Dawson-Creek-Tumbler-Ridge-Chetwynd-Surrey-B.C.s-Implementation-of-DRIPA-Final-2.pdf
Read the Declaration Act Action Plan here https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/government/ministries-organizations/ministries/indigenous-relations-reconciliation/declaration_act_action_plan.pdf
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Anita Huberman, 604-634-0342, anita@businessinsurrey.com
