Indigenous People

Content warning: This web page contains information related to residential schools. Support is available for anyone who has been affected by residential schools.

If you need emotional or crisis support, contact the 24-Hour National Residential School Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419 or access a crisis support.

The Guide supports the relationship between the Province and Indigenous people and their communities. It provides other community service organizations, government ministries and agencies, and non-Indigenous citizens an insight into the scope of Indigenous services and organizations offered in British Columbia.

As part of its work to create true and lasting reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in B.C., the provincial government is implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and adopting the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action.

The Province works in partnership with First Nations, Métis, non-government organizations and the federal government to provide services and programs to improve social outcomes for Indigenous people and communities.

The Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation created MACIW in June 2011 to provide advice to the Government of British Columbia on how to improve the quality of life of Indigenous women across BC.

The provincial government is committed to improving the participation of Indigenous people and communities’ in the economy. Government must work in partnership with Indigenous people to identify shared goals, strategic outcomes and progress.

The First Citizens Fund is a perpetual fund created in 1969. It supports cultural, educational and economic development programs for Indigenous people, communities and businesses in B.C., and it helps fund Indigenous organizations offering services in these areas.

The New Relationship Trust is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening First Nations in B.C. through capacity building. The Trust invests in First Nations in B.C. by providing support in five key capacity development areas:

• Treaty
• Indigenous Women and Girls
• Community Engagement
• Economic and Business Development
• Urban and Off-Reserve Indigenous People

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a day for all Canadians to commemorate and learn more about the history and legacy of the residential school system.

B.C. is committed to co-developing a new fiscal framework with Indigenous Peoples that supports the operation of Indigenous governments, and recognizes Indigenous rights as outlined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (PDF, 150KB) (UN Declaration).