The Province of British Columbia has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing reconciliation with First Nations through a proposed joint work plan with the First Nations Leadership Council.

The Proposed Commitment Document sets out a draft agenda that, through working in partnership with First Nations, will seek to close economic and social gaps, provide for collaboration on land and resource decisions, and support First Nations being full partners in the economy of British Columbia.

The Proposed Commitment Document acknowledges that reconciliation is a journey, not an end, and means different things for individual First Nation communities. The proposed plan highlights the importance of working collaboratively with First Nation communities throughout B.C. as well as seeking input from business, industry and advocacy groups.

A working group of representatives from the Province and the First Nations Leadership Council drafted the Proposed Commitment Document over the summer, and it was presented to First Nations leaders during last week’s B.C. Cabinet-First Nations Leaders’ Gathering in Vancouver.

The Province and the First Nations Leadership Council will now review the Proposed Commitment Document and report out in accordance with an agreed engagement and reporting structure, including reporting out on progress made at the 2016 B.C. Cabinet-First Nations Leaders’ Gathering.

The First Nations Leadership Council is comprised of the political executives of the First Nations Summit, the BC Assembly of First Nations and the Union of BC Indian Chiefs.

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The Proposed Commitment Document is available here: http://ow.ly/Sd15B