The OII operates within the framework of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, ensuring UNBC fulfills its institutional commitment to Indigenization.
Truth and Reconciliation in Action
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission's work is crucial for addressing historical wrongs, promoting healing, fostering understanding, and building a more just and equitable society. It serves as a foundation for ongoing reconciliation efforts and encourages all Canadians to engage in the process of healing and transformation.
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action
- United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
- In Plain Sight Addressing Indigenous-specific Racism and Discrimination in B.C. Health Care
In line with call 18, UNBC is implementing mandatory strategies and targets to identify, recruit and encourage Indigenous enrolment and graduation, including increasing the safety of the learning environment for Indigenous students. This call is now being put into full swing with the employment of an Indigenous Liaison Coordinator whose goal is to target, identify, recruit and encourage Indigenous enrolment at UNBC
In line with call 21, UNBC, like other universities and colleges in British Columbia, offers degree and diploma programs for health practitioners that include mandatory components to ensure all students receive accurate and detailed knowledge of Indigenous-specific racism, colonialism, trauma-informed practice, Indigenous health and wellness, and the requirement to provide service to meet the minimum standards in the UN Declaration.
While so much work has been done, there is still so much unlearning and relearning required to be done in the work of Truth and Reconciliation.