Realizing UNDRIP Initiative

Realizing UNDRIP is an initiative to support strong Indigenous – Non-Indigenous relationships

The Realizing UNDRIP Initiative educates and inspires non-Indigenous people working in government and in the private and not-for-profit sectors to work together in a good way with Indigenous peoples, organizations and communities.

The concept for the initiative arose when FBC’s Indigenous Directors and invited Indigenous guests discussed with other Directors how the Fraser Basin Council could play a role in educating non-Indigenous people on ways to become better allies of Indigenous peoples and to build relationships. The Realizing UNDRIP Initiative was subsequently created. With direction from an Indigenous Advisory Committee, and support from the Fraser Basin Council, the initiative aims to share inspirational stories of Indigenous and non-Indigenous collaboration.

Through success stories, resources and learning events, the initiative brings forward insights on building strong Indigenous – non-Indigenous relationships that are essential to meaningful progress on reconciliation and sustainability.

In 2019 First Nations, federal and provincial staff rose to take emergency action after a massive landslide was discovered on the Fraser River. The slide blocked salmon passage in a remote canyon north of Lillooet. A 2023 online learning event shared reflections on that experience, the work that followed, and what’s possible when people work together in a good way, even in a time of crisis and uncertainty.

This session was designed for BC local government leaders and staff. It offered an opportunity to understand the theory and application of Ethical Space as a framework for advancing reconciliation, sustainability and shared decision-making.

A Land Back Story looks at the partnership between the Leq’á:mél, Matsqui and Semá:th First Nations and the City of Mission through the signing of the Í:xel Sq’eq’ó (Together We Paddle) agreement in 2021. The three First Nations had worked together for over a decade to see the return of 60 hectares of their shared traditional territory. The three First Nations now hold the land jointly through a society. Of this land, 50 hectares will be leased back to Mission for parkland and recreation, and the balance will be developed to support much-needed housing and to increase economic and social opportunities for the Nations.

Top banner and in-page illustrations: Bree Island, Mixed Creatives.