B.C.'s throne-speech commitment to develop an Off-reserve Aboriginal Action Plan (ORAAP) is on track and moving forward, according to the ORAAP 2012-13 Year-End Report, released today.

The report details progress to date toward reaching innovative solutions to address key socio-economic challenges facing British Columbia's Aboriginal people living off-reserve and in urban areas.

Key steps taken since the plan was announced in 2011 have included:

• A protocol agreement between the Province and the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres to collaborate on ORAAP.
• An agreement between the Province and the federal government outlining how they will collaboratively work together to support the off-reserve and urban Aboriginal population.
• A social innovation competition designed to generate innovative ideas that will have positive social impacts in off-reserve/urban Aboriginal communities.
• Implementation of five community pilots in Vancouver, Surrey, Prince George, Kamloops and Duncan, resulting in reports identifying community priorities, initiatives and next steps.

Quotes:

Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation John Rustad -

"Achieving meaningful change for B.C.'s off-reserve community is a challenge, but it's clear that the Off-reserve Aboriginal Action Plan is moving us in the right direction."

"This report highlights the success of this approach, including the importance of community-driven processes that better meets the overall community needs."

Learn More:

To view the ORAAP 2012-13 Year-End Report, visit: http://www.gov.bc.ca/arr/reports/default.html

For more information about ORAAP, visit: http://www.newrelationship.gov.bc.ca/agreements_and_leg/other.html

Media Contact:

Nina Chiarelli
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
250 953-3211