First Nations and the City of Vancouver have released a five-year plan to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) on a local level.
UNDRIP was adopted by the United Nations in September 2007, providing a framework for reconciliation, including actions that can be taken to respect, acknowledge and protect the rights of Indigenous people across the world.
While Canada initially opposed the declaration, both the federal and provincial governments have since passed legislation to implement UNDRIP.
The City of Vancouver created a task force to look into how UNDRIP could be implemented on a municipal level in 2021, and the following year it released its UNDRIP strategy.
On Monday the city released its report, which include 18 goals for the city, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish Nation) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) to work toward over the next five years.
Collaboration on affordable housing, training for city staff around UNDRIP and local First Nations, and revenue sharing frameworks are among the 18 goals.
The city says the task force consulted urban Indigenous residents on the plan.
Squamish Nation spokesperson and task force co-chair Khelsilem said in a statement that changes included in the plan are “long overdue.”
“By upholding and honouring Indigenous cultures, ways of life and ancestral connections to the land and waters, Vancouver is set to become a city where the rights of all people are truly recognized and respected,” Khelsilem said.
Musqueam Chief Wayne Sparrow said the Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and the City of Vancouver are “making history” with the new five-year plan.
“If the goals of the plan are achieved, including the commitments we made in the October 2022 recommendations, it could result in our communities finally witnessing the long overdue advancement of our inherent Indigenous rights within our territories.”
Although the report and plan were unveiled on Monday, the UNDRIP Action Plan will officially be presented to City Council on June 25, and implementation will begin once all involved have approved the plan.