With an eye on improving government-to-government relations with First Nations, Capital Regional District directors who step into office after the fall election will be offered a series of Indigenous skills training seminars.
The CRD board voted unanimously Wednesday to have its staff offer intercultural training, learning and coaching opportunities starting in 2023.
A CRD staff report noted First Nations are increasingly requesting direct government-to-government meetings with CRD decision-makers, looking at developing partnerships and to have more of a say in all decisions on their traditional territory.
“In order to move forward it will be necessary to have a common level of understanding regarding Indigenous-settler relations and responsibilities amongst CRD directors,” the report noted.
The measure would be in keeping with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action which directs municipal governments to provide education “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.”
Many of the existing board have already undergone intercultural skills training this year, but the report argues it needs to be an ongoing process of education.
The proposed seminars include a primer in First Nations relations, a history lesson on colonization from first contact to the social impact of residential schools, a course on building and improving relationships with First Nations and one-on-one coaching to support navigating difficult conversations or other aspects of First Nations relations.
