Indigenous Post-Secondary Education & Training

Draft Principles that Guide the Province of British Columbia’s Relationship with Indigenous Peoples (2018)

Modeled on principles introduced by the federal government in 2017, the Province’s principles provide high-level guidance on how provincial representatives engage with Indigenous peoples. 

Truth and Reconciliation Commission (2015)

In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) published its final report detailing the experiences and impacts of the residential school system, creating a historical record of its legacy and consequences.  The TRC recorded testimony of more than 6,000 survivors affected by residential schools. One outcome of the report was a document detailing 94 calls to action across a wide range of areas including child welfare, education, health, justice, language and culture.

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007)

In 2007, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN Declaration). It includes 46 articles covering all facets of human rights of Indigenous peoples such as culture, identity, religion, language, health, education, and community.

The UN Declaration emphasizes the Indigenous peoples' rights to live in dignity, to maintain and strengthen Indigenous institutions, cultures and traditions and to pursue self-determined development, in keeping with Indigenous needs and aspirations.

The UN Declaration has been adopted by 148 nations, including the Government of Canada.

In November 2019 the B.C. Government passed legislation to implement the UN Declaration, Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, which aims to create a path forward that respects the human rights on Indigenous peoples while introducing better transparency and predictability in the work we do together.

The Commitment Document (2015) and the Joint Agenda (2018)

Originally signed in 2015, the updated document provides and joint agenda to “design, construct and implement a principled, pragmatic and organized approach to implement the section 35 Constitution Act, 1982 framework in British Columbia, informed by the Tsilhqot’in decision and other established law, the UN Declaration, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Calls to Action - with tangible milestones to demonstrate progress”.

Metis Nation Relationship Accord II

The Métis Nation Relationship Accord II renews a commitment to work together for the betterment of Métis people throughout British Columbia. The accord was first signed in 2006 to strengthen relationships between the provincial government and Métis people. The accord set out objectives to address health, housing, education, economic opportunities, Métis identification and data collection as well as any opportunities for engaging in a tripartite relationship with the federal government. In addition to recommitting to the original objectives of the accord, the updated version covers an additional four areas: children and families, information sharing, justice, and wildlife stewardship.

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Report

The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls was established by the federal government in September 2016 to examine and report on systemic causes of violence experienced by Indigenous women and girls and their greater vulnerability to violence.

In honour of the women, girls and two-spirit peoples who have been stolen and those who have survived, B.C. is committed to learning from their stories, taking action and enacting change.

Aboriginal Service Plans

Public post-secondary institutions work with Indigenous communities and organizations to enhance the post-secondary educational experiences and outcomes of First Nations, Métis and Inuit learners.

This program is undergoing reconceptualization. Information will be provided as it is available.

Aboriginal Community-Based Training Partnerships

The Aboriginal Community-Based Training Partnerships Program supports partnerships between Indigenous communities and public post-secondary institutions to provide Indigenous peoples with post-secondary education and training in their communities.

Indigenous Skills Training Development Fund

The Ministry funds skills training programs for participants to obtain transferrable skills that respond to labour needs and/or priorities identified by Indigenous communities. The objective of the program is to support Indigenous participants along the employment continuum, into employment and/or self-employment, or to enter further post-secondary education.

Blade Runners

BladeRunners provides life skills, job readiness skills, work experience/on-the-job training, job coaching and ongoing supports to unemployed youth at risk.