Advancing reconciliation a major focus in early days of UBCM convention

Josie Osborne the Minister of Municipal Affairs was one of a
number of BC NDP cabinet ministers taking part in the early
days of the UBCM convention for 2021
(photos from UBCM 2021)

Delegates attending the 2021 UBCM convention have heard of a re-commitment towards advancing Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, with the theme making for much of the conversation in the first two days for the five day event.

The delegates who are participating virtually this year owing to COVID, heard the details of a Memorandum of Understanding that updates the process for the UBCM and Provincial government, as they to work together to support meaningful engagement with local governments as the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act is implemented by the provincial government. 

In an information release from UBCM and the BC Government  yesterday, the scope of what is planned was outlined.

The MOU specifies that the Province will share information, consider local government interests and seek advice on matters including the implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. 

More broadly, the scope of the MOU encompasses the wide range of agreements currently negotiated between the Province and First Nations or Indigenous peoples, including treaties and “self -governance, social, land, resource, economic development or other agreements negotiated between a First Nation or Indigenous partners and the Province both inside and outside of the B.C. treaty process that have the potential to impact local government”.

“This renewed agreement strengthens the partnership between the Province and local governments and our mutual commitment toward reconciliation with Indigenous Nations. It encourages the strong communication and information sharing needed to open doors to meaningful conversations and partnerships that will benefit communities throughout British Columbia. I look forward to working with local governments, colleagues across government and Indigenous partners as we move forward together to build stronger communities under this MOU.” -- Josie Osborne, Minister of Municipal Affairs.

Those taking in the first few days of UBCM also participated in an information session on Reconciliation with Senator Murray Sinclair on Tuesday. The Acclaimed First Nations leader shared a wide range of information for those assembled. 

His commentary formed from his extensive work as part of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission as well as from the view of an Indigenous leader who has long been seeking movement on themes of reconciliation.

Mr. Sinclair was just one of a number of participants on the topic as part of the Tuesday session, you can recapture some of the themes of that presentation through the UBCM twitter feed.

As for the North Coast delegation from Prince Rupert, so far neither Mayor Lee Brain or the other six members of council have made use of their Social Media platforms to share any thoughts as to how the week of virtual convention going has moved along.

You can check out wha't up next for the delegates from the UBCM Program here.

You can access more notes on the event from our archive page here.