THE City of Vancouver, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish Nation), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) on Monday gathered to recognize the important work that has been done to develop the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) Action Plan, a major milestone for Vancouver’s journey towards Reconciliation.
Following the creation of UNDRIP Strategy and 79 calls-to-action, the UNDRIP Task Force, which was convened in partnership with the City of Vancouver, Musqueam Indian Band, Squamish Nation, and Tsleil-Waututh Nation, developed an action plan and specific goals to implement the historic strategy.
As the initial UNDRIP Action Plan, the task force identified 18 action groups with one or more deliverables to begin implementing over the next five years, under five themes:
- Relationship Foundations
- Redress, Housing and Land
- Cultural Presence
- Stewardship and Addressing Environmental Racism
- Communication and Accountability
The task force engaged with diverse urban Indigenous residents on their priorities and will continue to ensure their priorities are reflected throughout implementation of the action plan.
Acknowledging the important work that Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Vancouver have done, the task force gathered on Monday to uphold laws and protocols of the local Nations at a ceremony at the Vancouver Convention Centre. The City of Vancouver says it looks forward to continuing working alongside the Nations to move the UNDRIP Action Plan forward.
Review the full UNDRIP Action Plan
The UNDRIP Action Plan will be presented to Vancouver City Council at a Council meeting on June 25. Implementation of the action plan will begin following approval by the councils of all partners.
The City is commemorating 10 years as a City of Reconciliation. To recognize this milestone, the City commissioned an emblem from Squamish Nation artist, Tawx’sin Yexwulla Aaron Nelson Moody (Splash) that was unveiled on Monday. Vancouver City Hall, the Burrard Bridge, BC Place and Science World will be lit up in teal, orange and red on Monday in celebration.
To learn more about the City’s journey towards reconciliation, visit: https://vancouver.ca/people-
