Annual report updates collective efforts to achieve objectives of UN Declaration

VICTORIA - Together with Indigenous Peoples, the Province has released the 2023-24 Declaration Act Annual Report, which outlines efforts being made to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in B.C.

The report, which covers the period between April 1, 2023, until March 31, 2024, details work underway on 60 of 89 specific Declaration Act Action Plan actions, as well as to align provincial laws with the UN Declaration. It also reflects the tremendous efforts being made to put collective words into action in communities throughout the province.

By collaborating with Indigenous Peoples, the Province is taking meaningful action on reconciliation by:

• changing the way First Nations can acquire, hold and register fee simple land in B.C., reducing discriminatory and racist barriers (learn more on page 18 of the report);
• recognizing the importance of First Nations post-secondary institutes with funding to support the revitalization of First Nations languages and cultures and to provide quality education to First Nations learners (learn more on page 27 of the report);
• improving outcomes for students with First Nations educators teaching First Nations children, and implementing a new graduation requirement to ensure all students complete Indigenous-focused coursework before they graduate from the B.C. education system (learn more on page 60 of the report);
• eliminating laws and policies that deny equal opportunity for Indigenous Peoples to build a good life (learn more on page 61 of the report);
• restoring Indigenous jurisdiction over child-and-family services, helping to keep families safely together (learn more on page 93 of the report); and
• building unique partnerships encouraging investment and improving the services and infrastructure everyone relies on (learn more on page 125 of the report).

To view the fifth Declaration Act Annual Report and learn more about reconciliation work underway across the province, visit https://declaration.gov.bc.ca