TRU Williams Lake invites all to powerful Indigenous exhibits

Courtesy of Thompson Rivers University:

Thompson Rivers University (TRU) Williams Lake proudly welcomes two Indigenous exhibitions to campus.

Created by the First Peoples’ Cultural Council in partnership with Royal BC Museum, Our Living Languages: First Peoples’ Voices in British Columbia is an award-winning interactive language exhibition that encourages visitors to learn more about the challenges faced by Indigenous communities throughout the province as they work to revitalize their languages. Thirty-four of Canada’s 60 Indigenous languages are represented in this exhibition.

Dates: Mon., March 27 to Tues., July 4
Times: 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Mon. to Fri.)
Location: TRU Williams Lake *

Developed by the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and Indigenous artist Carey Newman, the Witness Blanket is a powerful and thought-provoking work of art that recognizes the dark and difficult legacy of residential schools in our country. Inspired by a woven blanket, the cedar‐framed artwork is made of more than 800 reclaimed items — including braids of hair, a hockey trophy and a piece of stained glass — from 77 sites across Canada, including residential schools, churches and cultural organizations.

“I talk about the Witness Blanket as a response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s call for commemoration initiatives,” Newman told CBC Radio. “It was my way of using art to talk about the truth of residential school history in Canada. It was inspired by my father and his experience.”

Dates: Mon., Aug. 21 to Fri., Oct. 20
Times: 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Mon. to Fri.)
Location: TRU Williams Lake *

*Parking is free on campus.

BC seeks input from Indigenous peoples to shape future of reconciliation

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

The provincial government is asking Indigenous peoples for additional feedback on the draft action plan required under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.

“British Columbia made history when we became the first jurisdiction in Canada to adopt the United Nations (UN) Declaration, but passing this legislation was only one step on our journey to advance reconciliation and undo 150 years of colonial harms that continue to be felt to this day,” said BC Premier John Horgan. “While we still have much to do, we believe the proposed actions in this draft plan demonstrate our government’s commitment to pursuing true and meaningful reconciliation together with Indigenous peoples. Part of our changing relationship is a commitment to the idea of ‘nothing about us without us.’ That is why we are asking for further feedback on this draft action plan from all First Nations and Indigenous peoples and organizations in B.C.”

The consultation draft of the action plan identifies 79 specific actions developed in partnership by the Province, First Nations and Indigenous peoples to help advance the human rights of Indigenous peoples.

"We are very grateful for the leadership, expertise and commitment of the Indigenous partners who have engaged with us on the important work of developing this consultation draft," said the Hon. Murray Rankin, BC's Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. "We are now looking for further input from all Indigenous peoples in B.C., so we can make sure the finalized action plan appropriately represents their priorities."

The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act requires the provincial government to develop and implement an action plan in consultation and co-operation with Indigenous peoples. Ministries across government have been engaging with First Nations and Indigenous partners over the past year to develop the draft action plan. Feedback collected between now and July 31, 2021, will be used to finalize the action plan later this year.

The draft action plan outlines key actions the Province proposes to take over the next five years across government to achieve the objectives of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. It includes actions in the areas of self-determination and self-government, rights and title, ending anti-Indigenous racism and social, cultural and economic well-being.

The draft action plan does not include all of the Province’s work on reconciliation. Much work is currently planned or underway. That will continue in parallel with the work under the action plan, including separate work to align laws to the UN Declaration.

There are a number of ways to provide feedback. First Nations and Indigenous peoples and organizations are invited to visit the website to provide comments directly online, fill out a feedback form online or in hard copy, or make a submission in writing. In addition, provincial government staff will be reaching out directly to engage with a wide range of Indigenous organizations, leadership tables and First Nations communities. More information can be found at: engage.gov.bc.ca/declaration

The Province will be collecting feedback on the draft action plan until July 31, 2021.

Quick Facts:

• B.C. was the first jurisdiction in Canada to implement the UN Declaration through legislation. The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act passed unanimously in the B.C. legislature on Nov. 26, 2019.
• Since July 2020, provincial ministries held more than 80 separate meetings with more than 75 First Nations and Indigenous partners to identify potential actions to include in the draft action plan.
• The First Nations Leadership Council (representing the BC Assembly of First Nations, First Nations Summit and Union of BC Indian Chiefs) conducted similar engagement with 11 First Nation organizations.

Learn More:

Draft action plan:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/government/ministries-organizations/ministries/indigenous-relations-reconciliation/declaration_act_action_plan_for_consultation.pdf

Engagement opportunity: https://engage.gov.bc.ca/declaration

Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act: https://declaration.gov.bc.ca