Province Releases Progress Report On Implementation Of UN Declaration On The Rights Of Indigenous Peoples Act

The Province has released its 2023-24 Declaration Act Annual Report, which outlines efforts being made to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in B.C.

The report details work underway on 60 of 89 specific Declaration Act Action Plan actions, as well as to align provincial laws with the UN Declaration.

It also reflects the efforts being made to put collective words into action in communities throughout the province.

Highlights include:

• changing the way First Nations can acquire, hold and register fee simple land in B.C., reducing discriminatory and racist barriers;
• recognizing the importance of First Nations post-secondary institutes with funding to support the revitalization of First Nations languages and cultures and to provide quality education to First Nations learners;
• improving outcomes for students with First Nations educators teaching First Nations children, and implementing a new graduation requirement to ensure all students complete Indigenous-focused coursework before they graduate from the B.C. education system;
• restoring Indigenous jurisdiction over child-and-family services, helping to keep families safely together; and building unique partnerships encouraging investment and improving the services and infrastructure everyone relies on.

To view the fifth Declaration Act Annual Report and learn more about reconciliation work underway across the province, visit Government of British Columbia.