Resolutions Search
Cultural Awareness Training for all Local Governments
Status
Endorsed by the NCLGA Membership | Endorsed by the NCLGA Membership - Amended & Endorsed by the UBCM Membership
WHEREAS the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action (No. 57, Professional Development and Training for Public Servants) states: “We call upon federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments to provide education to public servants on the history of Aboriginal peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal–Crown relations. This will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism”;
AND WHEREAS cultural awareness training provides the foundation for learning and valuing different perspectives and backgrounds:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM and NCLGA encourage British Columbia local governments to undergo localized Indigenous Cultural Awareness Training and to advance all Calls to Action within the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
Actions
Letter dated December 5, 2022 from Murray Rankin, KC, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation:
Thank you for your letter dated October 19, 2022 conveying the North Central Local Government Association’s Resolution R11 regarding the importance of localized Indigenous
cultural competency training.
I commend the NCLGA for the resolution. It reflects the importance of training to promote better understanding of the history, cultures, languages, and governance of Indigenous Peoples in their respective communities and regions as well as to be partners in the adoption and implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
It is my understanding that many local governments have established partnerships and programs to provide Indigenous cultural competency training in response to Call to Action #57. For its part, the provincial government has created a range of Indigenous-specific learning resources to educate public servants on the history of Indigenous Peoples and to improve our individual and collective abilities to work effectively with Indigenous communities. I encourage NCLGA to work with Indigenous partners to develop educational resources for staff and elected officials.
(Note: Sponsors are noted alphabetically, for any resolution with more than one sponsor)