Municipal Calls to Action

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission Final Report calls on municipalities to deliver specific outcomes for the following 5 Calls to Action:

Call to Action	Description	Specific Outcome
C2A # 43	UN Declaration (UNDRIP)	Fully adopt and implement UNDRIP as the framework for reconciliation.
C2A # 47	Royal Proclamation and Covenant	Repudiate Doctrine of Discovery and terra nullius
C2A # 57	PD and Training for Public Servants	Provide education to civil servants on Indigenous issues, histories and treaties
C2A # 75	Missing Children and Burial Information	Develop and implement strategies and procedures for ongoing identification, documentation, maintenance, commemoration and protection of residential school cemeteries
C2A # 77	National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation	All archives to collaborate with National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation on collection of all records

Framework for City of Reconciliation

The Framework for City of Reconciliation was accepted by City Council on Sept. 14, 2014. “This report provides the City of Vancouver’s review of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) 94 Calls to Action report, and identifies where the City has the jurisdiction and ability to implement those Calls to Action.”  On January 19, 2016 City Council received the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action report and adopted “in principle the City’s response to 27 out of the 94 Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action with the identification of 41 City actions under 3 themes: 

1. Healthy Communities and Wellness (11; 
   • #5: Child Welfare
   • #7, 9, 12: Education
   • #17: Language and Culture 
   • #21, 22: Health
   • #66: Youth
   • #38, 40: Justice
   • #90: Sports and Reconciliation 
2. Achieving Indigenous Human Rights and Recognition (5); 
   • #43, 44: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 
   • #47: Royal Proclamation and Covenant of Reconciliation 
   • #67: Museums and Archives 
   • #91: Sports and Reconciliation 
3. Advancing Awareness, Knowledge, and Capacity (11). 
   • #57: Professional Development and Training for Public Servants 
   • #62, 63: Education for Reconciliation
   • #68, 69: Museums and Archives
     #78: National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation 
   • #80, 83: Commemoration
   • #87: Sports and Reconciliation
   • #92: Business in Reconciliation
   • #93: Newcomers to Canada 

City of Vancouver UNDRIP Strategy

On October 25, 2022, the Council of the City of Vancouver unanimously adopted the final Report of the UNDRIP Task Force to the City of Vancouver Mayor & Council: City of Vancouver’s UNDRIP Strategy  that called upon the City of Vancouver to implement 15 additional Calls to Action. The report was designed to implement the Province of British Columbia’s Declarations on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act legal framework and make them compatible with BC’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act in 2019, also known as The Declaration Act.

The UNDRIP Task Force (Oct, 2022) identifies the following foundational Calls to Action which the Task Force recognizes as essential to ensure the successful implementation of UNDRIP through the Calls to Action outlined under the four themes below. 

Early Action: In progress, building on existing work, and/or relatively straightforward to implement

• Provide ongoing capacity funding for Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh to help facilitate relationship-building, and their role in decision-making and the implementation of UNDRIP into City policies, procedures, and operations. 

Longer-term change: May be relatively complex, multi-year work to implement 

• Develop stronger intergovernmental coordination and communication processes and explore opportunities to develop, renew, expand, or strengthen relationship protocol agreements, MOU/As, and protocol agreements with Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations which involve clarification of jurisdiction. 

Deeply Transformative: Likely complex to implement, significant change

• Establish a process for the City to look for embedded colonialism within its systems, and re-shape its own internal policies, procedures and by-laws in ways which recognize and respect the laws and governance of Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh, and align with UNDRIP to create systemic change. 

Charter or legislative changes may be required

1. Identify and implement options for new rights-based governance models and decision-making processes with Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh, with UNDRIP as the framework.
2. Review local government legislation (e.g., Vancouver Charter), as well as federal and provincial legislation to understand what changes are needed to implement UNDRIP and this report’s Calls to Action. Work with Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh, and the diverse Indigenous populations living in the city to advocate for the Province and Federal government to make these changes.4
3. In consultation with Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh, develop processes to continue to build relationships with the diverse Indigenous populations living in the city and support their rights as Indigenous persons. Include capacity funding for this community-engaged work.” (October 2022, p.11)

In principle, these foundational Calls to Action relate to the necessity of Indigenous leadership defining and guiding the work and of identifying and addressing the structural and systemic underpinnings of colonialism embedded in longstanding legislation, policy, and practices.

CALLS TO ACTION

Calls to Action – Theme 1: Social, Cultural, Economic Well-Being 

• Social: 2 actions 
• Cultural: 10 actions
• Economic: 6 actions

Calls to Action – Theme 2: Ending Indigenous-Specific Racism and Discrimination

• Environmental Racism: 5 actions
• Leases, Housing and Land:  7 actions
• Service Provision: 4 actions
• Policing: 3 actions

Calls to Action – Theme 3: Self-Determination and Inherent Right of Self-Government

• Revenue Sharing: 7 actions
• Disposition of City-Owned Lands/Repatriation of Lands to Nations: 2 actions
• Shared Decision-Making: 3 actions
• Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Inclusion on Metro Vancouver Board and Other Regional Boards: 1 action

Calls to Action – Theme 4: Rights and Title of Indigenous Peoples 

• Inclusion of Indigenous Legal Traditions: 6 actions
• Support for Cultural Practices and Land Back: 5 actions
• Establishment of Institutions for Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Members to Learn Traditional Ways: 1 action
• Involvement and Voice of the Diverse Indigenous Populations Living in the City: 1 action

Moving Forward: City of Vancouver’s UNDRIP Strategy Implementation: 4 actions

The UNDRIP Task Force update to City Council – presentation (June 7, 2022) recommends: 

THAT Council endorse the recommended six early actions in this report and direct staff to report back on the implications for implementing and potential funding sources for the six early actions: 

Early Action 1: Assert presence of the Musqueam Indian Band, Squamish Nation, and Tsleil-Waututh Nation via asset naming, re-naming and commemoration, including measures to share stories and histories on the land. 

1. Coordinated Approach: Explore options to co-develop a naming policy framework including appropriate cultural protocols, and/or intergovernmental table. 
2. Public Education on Naming: Develop standards for audio/visual/tactile signage and public education on (re)introduced names, including cultural programming. 

Early Action 2: Support the development of a Host Nations historical atlas book created by the local Nations with educational resources. 

Early Action 3: Build upon the City’s social procurement framework and expand the procurement policy to prioritize Indigenous participation for all projects (including large and small infrastructure, art and culture, environmental resource management, etc.). 

Early Action 4: Build on existing City of Vancouver work underway to refine procurement policies/regulations with regards to art, structures, planning/architecture, procurement etc. to ensure Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh maintain a presence and the public realm is representative of MST artistic and cultural traditions. 

Early Action 5: Develop process and requirements for (1) event organizers to engage and partner with MST in permitted events/festivals; (2) City staff to engage and partner with MST in City-organized events; and (3) City staff to support and facilitate MST hosting their own events/festivals (e.g., in parks and other areas of significance). 

Early Action 6: Provide a spectrum of mandatory anti-racism and Indigenous cultural safety training for employees (including temporary and auxiliary) of the City of Vancouver to build foundational understanding of the rights of Indigenous Peoples, Indigenous history, Indigenous-specific racism, and the dynamics of proper respectful relations. Training should be adapted for, and relevant to, the nuances of different roles and their levels of responsibility. For senior leaders, curriculum should also include the UN Declaration, the Declaration Act, treaties, and meaningful reconciliation. Training will be developed and/or led by knowledge holders approved by the Nations. For vendors/suppliers, relevant training opportunities will be recommended as appropriate.

See also City of Reconciliation on the City of Vancouver website for annual updates

City of Vancouver Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation: 4.5 out of 5 = 90%

Call to Action # 43         The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Aboriginal Peoples We call upon federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments to fully adopt and implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as the framework for reconciliation
Yes. As stated in the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action report. “On February 26, 2013 Council adopted support for the United Nations Declaration on the Rights on Indigenous Peoples.”  The Report of the UNDRIP Task Force to the City of Vancouver Mayor & Council: City of Vancouver’s UNDRIP Strategy also states:  In March 2021, the Council of the City of Vancouver (“Council”) unanimously adopted a motion to create an UNDRIP Task Force. The Task Force was convened in partnership with the Musqueam Indian Band, Squamish Nation, and Tsleil-Waututh Nation, the Indigenous governments of these lands. The intergovernmental Task Force met regularly from July 2021 to October 2022 to develop recommendations for Mayor and Council on how the City of Vancouver can implement UNDRIP as the framework for Indigenous relations and reconciliation. On June 7, the Task Force provided an update report to City Council with Early Actions (Appendix A). According to the Office of the City Manager: “City staff have begun high level analysis and policy research work to better understand the municipal applications and intentions of UNDRIP legislation passed by senior levels of government—the 2019 provincial Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) and federal United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Bill C-15) that was passed on June 21, 2021. The City is also working to determine how UNDRIP relates to work already ongoing under the City of Reconciliation Framework and complementary strategies, and how the City can meet its commitments under UNDRIP/DRIPA to urban Indigenous communities.” (Mochrie, Sept 2021) According to the UNDRIP Task Force’s final report, the UNDRIP recommendations could soon become the basis for municipal bylaws pertaining to Indigenous peoples. Vancouver will be the first city to formally adopt UNDRIP into its bylaws.
Call to Action # 47       Royal Proclamation and Covenant of Reconciliation We call upon federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments to repudiate concepts used to justify European sovereignty over Indigenous peoples and lands, such as the Doctrine of Discovery and terra nullius, and to reform those laws, government policies, and litigation strategies that continue to rely on such concepts.
Yes but not enacted into municipal law The Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action report states: “On June 25, 2014 Council adopted a motion that acknowledges Vancouver as unceded Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh traditional territory”.  The Report of the UNDRIP Task Force to the City of Vancouver Mayor & Council: City of Vancouver’s UNDRIP Strategy (Oct 2022, p.7)also states: The City of Vancouver (“the City”) voted unanimously on June 24, 2014 to acknowledge that the City is on the unceded territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil- Waututh Peoples, and the City adopted a Reconciliation Framework on July 8, 2014. Rights and title holders in the City of Vancouver are the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh within the meaning of UNDRIP. The City of Vancouver, as a City of Reconciliation, has the responsibility to recognize the rights and title of Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh and to repudiate colonial concepts of Doctrine of Discovery and terra nullius.
Call to Action # 57       Professional Development and Training for Public Servants We call upon federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments to provide education to public servants on the history of Aboriginal peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal–Crown relations. This will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.
Yes. Cultural training is required for all staff at all municipal levels.  The Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action report states the following actions: * Development of cultural competency training programming for City staff.  – A cultural competency training workshop is scheduled in March 2016 for senior managers. * Mandatory cultural competency Vancouver Police Department training to all staff in 2015. 22 sessions were conducted with over 500 police members participating along with civilian staff and CPC volunteers from the community.  In addition, the UNDRIP Task Force recommendations (Oct 2022) states: Early Action 6 (p. 28):  Provide a spectrum of mandatory anti-racism and Indigenous cultural safety training for employees (including temporary and auxiliary) of the City of Vancouver to build foundational understanding of the rights of Indigenous Peoples, Indigenous history, Indigenous-specific racism, and the dynamics of proper respectful relations. Training should be adapted for, and relevant to, the nuances of different roles and their levels of responsibility. For senior leaders, curriculum should also include the UN Declaration, the Declaration Act, treaties, and meaningful reconciliation. Training will be developed and/or led by knowledge holders approved by the Nations. For vendors/suppliers, relevant training opportunities will be recommended as appropriate. In addition:  2.17d  “Enhance and standardize training required for police recruits and implement                 mandatory and meaningful ongoing education about anti- racism, cultural competency,                 and trauma-informed practice.”(Oct 2022, p.19) 3.7      “Prepare outreach materials/educational programs on the issue of reparations or                 compensation for the community to facilitate positive response and support3.10b  Identify training options for City staff to understand UNDRIP and support free, prior and                 Informed consent.  4.2      Encourage staff and elected leadership to learn ways to bring colonial law and                 Indigenous laws together through dialogue and stories, to find common principles for                 the betterment of society, honouring Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh legal                 systems and ways of knowing.  4.5      Encourage City staff and elected leadership to learn about the ways in which Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh incorporate their legal principles into their      existing by-laws and policies, to help re-integrate the Nations’ laws and policies into       decision-making on these lands.  The City’s Actions according to the Office of the City Manager (28 Sept 2021): The Reconciliation Framework is comprised of three main principles, including: 1. Cultural Competency: All City staff should have an opportunity to learn and work with local Nations and urban Indigenous communities. Staff should strive to create opportunities for Indigenous community members to engage in partnerships with the City, supporting learning opportunities for both. “(Mochrie, 28 Sept 2021, p.1)” 2. Strengthened Relations: Strengthening our relationships starts with acknowledging the history of residential schools and the harmful impacts from the loss of land and culture. Continuing to build and strengthen relationships with local Nations, as well as with urban Indigenous communities, including the Metro Vancouver Aboriginal Executive Council  (MVAEC), is critical. Above all, it is important to recognise the history, heritage and protocols of the three local Nations, their presence, and achievements with respect.
Call to Action # 75       Missing Children and Burial Information We call upon the federal government to work with provincial, territorial, and municipal governments, churches, Aboriginal communities, former residential school students, and current landowners to develop and implement strategies and procedures for the ongoing identification, documentation, maintenance, commemoration, and protection of residential school cemeteries or other sites at which residential school children were buried. This is to include the provision of appropriate memorial ceremonies and commemorative markers to honour the deceased children.
Yes. The only Indian Residential School was located in North Vancouver The Ustlahn Social Society created a monument to residential school victims in 2013 with support from Archdiocese and City of North Vancouver City. City Council calls it St. Paul’s Memorial (2013). It is located at St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School. It “depict(s) two children in a canoe, rising toward the crest of a wave” (p.1). The Squamish nation was “disappointed that the archdiocese did not pay entire bill”.The UNDRIP Task Force’s final report states: “WHEREAS the UNDRIP Task Force has prioritized commemoration, naming, and cultural heritage as early actions to support public education and reconciliation in Vancouver, and; WHEREAS several City initiatives related to commemoration, naming, and cultural heritage are in process with City staff who are in the early stages of engagement with the Musqueam Indian Band, Squamish Nation, and Tsleil-Waututh Nation.” (Oct 2022, p.3)
Call to Acton # 77        National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation We call upon provincial, territorial, municipal, and community archives to work collaboratively with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation to identify and collect copies of all records relevant to the history and legacy of the residential school system, and to provide these to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.
No. Not explicitly addressed. Truth and Reconciliation at VPL documents the Vancouver Public Library response to the TRC Calls to Action

Other Calls to Action

Call to Action # 5        Child Welfare We call upon the federal, provincial, territorial, and Aboriginal governments to develop culturally appropriate parenting programs for Aboriginal families

Yes. As stated in the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action report: Actions: * Provides annual grants to Aboriginal organizations and organizations that focus on Aboriginal communities.  * Is implementing the commitment with the Joint Child Care Council to discuss the availability of Aboriginal child care.  The Current State Analysis for Vancouver’s Child Care Strategy (2022) states:  The city’s Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework (2017) officially recognize the need for “culturally-safe ELCC spaces for connecting young Indigenous children to their languages and cultures as outlined by UNDRIP and the Truth and Reconciliation”(2022, p.29). The Office of the City Manager (28 Sept 2021) lists of City of Vancouver’s “Resources for Educators and Administrators” under the heading “Indigenous Culture Competency Videos”. An understanding of the history and culture of Indigenous peoples is crucial to Reconciliation. Musqueam Nation, BC Aboriginal Child Care Society, and Collingwood Neighbourhood House, in partnership with the City of Vancouver and other community partners, created a series of five Indigenous cultural competency video modules and an accompanying study guide for Early Childhood Educators. Watch the videos and read the guide to learn about Indigenous culture and history, and develop skills and get tools to teach young children about the rich heritage and history of Indigenous peoples. * Welcome (vimeo) External web site, opens in new tab * Identities and beliefs (vimeo) External web site, opens in new tab * The Indian Act (vimeo) External web site, opens in new tab * Residential Schools, 60s Scoop, Legacy of kids in care (vimeo) External web site, opens in new tab * The future of early childhood (vimeo) External web site, opens in new tab * This Land: A companion resource for Early Childhood Educators to accompany five short films.”(Vancouver, 2023) The City of Vancouver (2022) recognizes that the gap between services and demands is widening: As demographic trends indicate a growing urban Indigenous population in Vancouver, especially among children under 12 years, service gaps for culturally safe and Indigenous-led childcare are widening

Call to Action # 12       Education We call upon the federal, provincial, territorial, and Aboriginal governments to develop culturally appropriate early childhood education programs for Aboriginal families.

Yes. As per the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action report. Actions * Exploring collaborative models for Aboriginal focused and culturally appropriate child care.  * Providing annual grants to Aboriginal organizations and organizations that focus on Aboriginal communities.  According to the City of Vancouver’s Health City Dashboard: Urban Indigenous Indicators (July 2021): “there are only three (3) Indigenous‐led Daycares with sixty (60) spots in Vancouver. The importance of having Indigenous led means they are more culturally responsive, and teachings are connected to the continuum of life passed down from ancestry through storytelling. First Nations have been using stories as a way of teaching ever since time began and is essential for the proper growth and development and a valuable means of transferring cultural knowledge, traditional teachings, and values. Some participants commented that they have been challenged enrolling their own children in mainstream daycares ‐ let alone an Indigenous‐Led operation – and the cost of accessing these daycares is extremely expensive. One participant commented that “we need to have more daycare subsidies offered to Indigenous families” and another saying that “this does not mean putting a daycare in Downtown Eastside – they should be spread across the traditional territories in Vancouver.” (Kāhui Tautoko, p.11) Vancouvers’ most up-to-date report, Current State Analysis for Vancouver’s Child Care Strategy (2022)states that the Province of BC will continue to support these education programs and has “signalled new priorities…a plan to address the needs for culturally safe, Indigenous-led and Indigenous-centred childcare for urban Indigenous families in Vancouver” (p.3). The Office of the City Manager has issued a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that described the current actions of the city. The City of Vancouver’s “Resources for Educators and Administrators” offers the following resources to fulfill CTA #12:  Cultural competency videos: An understanding of the history and culture of Indigenous peoples is crucial to Reconciliation.  Musqueam Nation, BC Aboriginal Child Care Society, and Collingwood Neighbourhood House, in partnership with the City of Vancouver and other community partners, created a series of five Indigenous cultural competency video modules and an accompanying study guide for Early Childhood Educators.Watch the videos and read the guide to learn about Indigenous culture and history, and develop skills and get tools to teach young children about the rich heritage and history of Indigenous peoples. * Welcome (vimeo) External web site, opens in new tab * Identifies and beliefs (vimeo) External web site, opens in new tab * The Indian Act (vimeo) External web site, opens in new tab * Residential Schools, 60s Scoop, Legacy of kids in care (vimeo) External web site, opens in new tab * The future of early childhood (vimeo) External web site, opens in new tab * This Land: A companion resource for Early Childhood Educators to accompany five short films“(Vancouver, 2023) For additional educational resources, see the City of Vancouver – Healthy City Dashboard’s “3.12 Environments to Thrive in”(2021, p.27).

Call to Action # 17       Language and Culture We call upon all levels of government to enable residential school Survivors and their families to reclaim names changed by the residential school system by waiving administrative costs for a period of five years for the name-change process and the revision of official identity documents, such as birth certificates, passports, driver’s licenses, health cards, status cards, and social insurance numbers.

Yes, but limited so far. As stated by the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action report Vancouver Public Library (VPL) will change names and reissue cards with new names for no charge.  BC participates in the federal Indigenous name reclamation process wherein the fees have been waived. until May 2026. it will work as follows: Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently launched the Indigenous name reclamation process to answer the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action 17. The process helps Indian Residential School survivors, their families, and all Indigenous peoples reclaim their traditional names and put them on official identity documents.Under the new simpler IRCC process, all Indigenous peoples can put their traditional names on replacement passports, travel documents, citizenship certificates, and permanent resident cards. Federal application fees are waived (not charged) until May 30, 2026. You must first go through a provincial name change process. To change your name in BC, see Legal Change of Name Application. Lawyers at Heron Law Offices will help you for free with the IRCC process. Private Member’s “Bill M- 209 the Indigenous Names Statutes Amendment Act” has been re-introduced in the provincial legislature. The Bill would allow for characters other than Latin alphabetic letters to be officially accepted and recognized on important government documents, like birth certificates, in the case of British Columbians with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis ancestry.

Call to Action # 22       Health We call upon those who can effect change within the Canadian health-care system to recognize the value of Aboriginal healing practices and use them in the treatment of Aboriginal patients in collaboration with Aboriginal healers and Elders where requested by Aboriginal patients.

Yes. As stated in the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action report: “A Healthy Vancouver for All”: A Healthy City Partnership MOU between the City of Vancouver and Vancouver Coastal Health and the Mayor’s Task Force On Mental Health And Addictions:  * One time funding for building two Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Centres (UNYA and Lu’ma).  * Research underway on Aboriginal cultural and traditional activities in the DTES.  The city funds the Indigenous Healing & Wellness Centre and offers Indigenous Healing and Wellness Grants.  Vancouver City Council’s Indigenous Healing and Wellness Grant program “supports Elders and Knowledge Keepers who provide traditional, spiritual, and/or cultural healing and wellness activities in Vancouver’s urban Indigenous community.” (Fall 2023). What is a traditional Indigenous healing approach?“ Access to traditional and culturally appropriate health care practices is equally, if not more important, than access to mainstream non-Indigenous health care. There is a need for Indigenous -specific programs in the DTES, with all services being able to provide traditional, spiritual and cultural health and healing supports.” (Fall, 2023) The Office of the City Manager described the actions of the city when establishing these organizations: Office of the City Manager: In. B. Arts, Culture, and Community Services (ACCS) p. 9-10:“ iii. Indigenous Healing and Wellness Ongoing work in Indigenous Healing and Wellness in Social Policy will continue in 2021. There are currently three opportunities being undertaken by staff. 52-92 East Hastings – Mixed-use project led by Aboriginal Land Trust in partnership with BC Housing, Lu’ma, Vancouver Native Health, and Raincity. Includes Single Room Occupancy (SRO) replacement, Indigenous family housing, and an Indigenous Healing & Wellness Centre. 41 East Hastings – Early explorations to develop Indigenous Healing and Wellness Centre with focus on Indigenous women in partnership with Atira (Olivia Skye) and VCH Aboriginal Health. City will contribute $700K in approved capital dollars through DTES Plan action.  Crab Park – Indigenous Healing Centre – In May of 2019, the Park Board requested that the VFPA identify and support five different initiatives laid out by the Board. These initiatives included exploring the feasibility of a new healing centre and/or cultural centre in the Central Waterfront area. Further to this, the Park Board requested that staff explore the initiation of a working group to partner with the City of Vancouver and community stakeholders with a goal to transition the development and construction of an Indigenous-focused healing, wellness and/or cultural centre out of the theoretical and into action and reality. The renewed requests from the Park Board were echoed by City Council with further amendments in July 2019.”

Call to Action # 23       Health We call upon all levels of government to: * Increase the number of Aboriginal professionals working in the health care field. * Ensure the retention of Aboriginal health-care providers in Aboriginal communities * Provide cultural competency training for all health-care professional

Yes. As stated by Vancouver Coastal Heath   According to the City of Vancouver – Healthy City Indicator‘s (July 2021) (Kāhui Tautoko Consulting, July 2021, pg. 39) Vancouver Coastal Heath has, since 2020, designed an “Indigenous Cultural Safety” course and stated that it is now “Committed to addressing and decreasing health inequities for Indigenous people by providing culturally safe and responsive services. Along with our health system partners, we have signed a Declaration of Commitment to have cultural competency, humility and safety embedded at all levels of the health system.  Cultural competency refers to an understanding of cross-cultural interactions and an awareness and acceptance of the variety of people and populations that we work with.  Cultural humility is a process of self-reflection to understand personal and systemic biases and to develop and maintain respectful processes and relationships based on mutual trust. Cultural humility involves humbly acknowledging oneself as a learner when it comes to understanding another’s experience. Cultural safety is an outcome of cultural competency, defined and experienced by those who receive the service – they feel safe. Cultural safety is based on understanding the power differentials and potential discriminations inherent in the health service delivery system”(2023) Vancouver Coastal Health has developed an Indigenous Cultural Safety Policy booklet (2018) that“guides us to become a culturally safe organization and informs our policies and programs. We are committed to ensuring this policy is embedded throughout VCH. The Vancouver Cultural Safety Policy (2018) booklet states that: “Inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge and Expertise in Health Care: VCH will include Indigenous knowledge and expertise in all levels of health service delivery. This will be reflected in engagement with Aboriginal Health leadership, community and clients, staff education, recruitment and retention, and health service delivery”(2018, pg. 7)  Plain Sight ‐ Addressing Indigenous‐specific Racism and Discrimination in B.C. Health Care Report: “Health authorities and regulators are independently developing Indigenous-specific racism and cultural safety and humility education and training” (p.106)… Each regional health authority has largely independently developed education and training specific to their organization… For example: Vancouver Coastal has developed and evaluated an Indigenous Cultural Safety pilot project at Vancouver General Hospital which included a foundations course and subsequent learning circles.”(2020, p.107)

Call to Action # 55       National Council We call upon all levels of government to provide annual reports or any current data requested by the National Council for Reconciliation so that it can report on the progress towards reconciliation. The reports or data would include, but not be limited to: * The number of Aboriginal children—including Métis and Inuit children—in care, compared with non-Aboriginal children, the reasons for apprehension, and the total spending on preventive and care services by child-welfare agencies. * Comparative funding for the education of First Nations children on and off reserves. * Educational and income attainments of Aboriginal peoples in Canada compared with non-Aboriginal people. * Progress on closing the gaps between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities in a number of health indicators such as: infant mortality, maternal health, suicide, mental health, addictions, life expectancy, birth rates, infant and child health issues, chronic diseases, illness and injury incidence, and the availability of appropriate health services. * Progress on eliminating the overrepresentation of Aboriginal children in youth custody over the next decade. * Progress on reducing the rate of criminal victimization of Aboriginal people, including data related to homicide and family violence victimization and other crimes. * Progress on reducing overrepresentation of Aboriginal people in justice and correctional systems

No. Not explicitly addressed According to the Province of British Columbia’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (The Declaration Act) (2019), an Annual Report on March 31st each year and must be prepared “in consultation and cooperation with the Indigenous peoples in British Columbia.” The City of Vancouver established an UNDRIP Task Force who in a February 2023 meeting began developing a 5-year plan for the implementation of the 79 recommendations.

Call to Action # 66       Youth We call upon the federal government to establish multi-year funding for community-based youth organizations to deliver programs on reconciliation, and establish a national network to share information and best practices.

Yes. Multiple initiatives The Office of the City Manager (2021) states: According to the City of Vancouver – Healthy City Indicator report‘s (July 2021) surveys: “Overall participants agreed that it was critically important that all children should have a good start in their life including that “no child will go hungry, and every child will have a home.” All participants acknowledged that children are the future generations and leaders of tomorrow and therefore a strong investment in developing children and youth is required”(July 2021, p.10) .…Some participants endorsed the need for more cultural peer supports and youth mentorship programs in schools where their role would focus on supporting First Nations and Aboriginal children and youth’s identity, culture, and language. One of the participants noted that their organization currently delivers a Federally funded Canada Summer Jobs Program that is specifically designed for First Nations and Aboriginal youth. The youth gain employment experience through on‐the‐job mentoring and it was expressed that the City of Vancouver (or similar organizations) could offer a similar program to promote work experience and increase the opportunities for Indigenous youth employment (July 2021, p.11)  According to The Healthy City Indicator report (July 2021), here are a number of Aboriginal service providers who work with youth. For example: * Vancouver Aboriginal Health Society,  * Kilala Lelum Health Centre,  * Lu’ma Native Housing and Medical Centre,  * Urban Native Youth Association, * Metro Vancouver Indigenous Services.  Other Aboriginal organizations also provide a wide range of employment, education, social, cultural, Justice‐related and child and family support services. A significant number of these organizations are members of the Metro Vancouver Aboriginal Executive Council (MVAEC)…” (Kāhui Tautoko Consulting, July 2021, pg. 6).

Call to Action # 76       Missing Children and Burial Information We call upon the parties engaged in the work of documenting, maintaining, commemorating, and protecting residential school cemeteries to adopt strategies in accordance with the following principles:  i. The Aboriginal community most affected shall lead the development of such strategies. ii. Information shall be sought from residential school Survivors and other Knowledge Keepers in the development of such strategies.  iii. Aboriginal protocols shall be respected before any potentially invasive technical inspection and investigation of a cemetery site.

See Call to Action # 75 above

Call to Action # 87       Sports and Reconciliation We call upon all levels of government, in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, sports halls of fame, and other relevant organizations, to provide public education that tells the national story of Aboriginal athletes in history.

Yes. As stated in the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action report: Actions:  * Working with the BC Sports Hall of Fame to enhance/update the Aboriginal Sport Gallery by June 21, 2016, National Aboriginal Day.  * Update lesson plans focusing on Aboriginal athletes in history for the on-line ‘Hero in You’ education resources.

Land Acknowledgement

Located on City of Vancouver – Home Page

The City of Vancouver acknowledges that it is situated on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish Nation), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation)

More about unceded traditional territories

This place is the unceded and ancestral territory of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh speaking peoples, the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, and has been stewarded by them since time immemorial. 

Vancouver is located on territory that was never ceded, or given up to the Crown by the Musqueam, Squamish, or Tsleil-Waututh peoples. The term unceded acknowledges the dispossession of the land and the inherent rights that Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh hold to the territory. The term serves as a reminder that Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh have never left their territories and will always retain their jurisdiction and relationships with the territory.

NOTE: All content was submitted to the City of Vancouver to ensure accuracy and currency as of the time of posting. The City of Vancouver responded to our correspondence. Managing Editor: Douglas Sinclair: Publisher, Indigenous Watchdog Lead Researcher, Timothy Maton: Ph.D