Urban Indigenous Peoples' Advisory Committee

Mandate and scope

• Advises Council and staff on issues of concern to urban Indigenous peoples living in Vancouver
• Advises Council and staff on the implementation of the City of Reconciliation Framework and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
• Facilitates effective communication and consultation between the City and urban Indigenous communities on the lands known as Vancouver
• Works collaboratively with counterparts from other civic agencies to identify opportunities for joint action on issues of mutual interest
• Works co-operatively with external agencies and groups whose activities affect constituent communities
• Engages in outreach to disseminate information and encourage participation from constituent communities

Meeting and administrative procedures

• The Urban Indigenous Peoples' Advisory Committee holds six regular meetings per year, in addition to working sessions generally scheduled during intervening months throughout the year.
• Type A Advisory Committees may, at their discretion, establish sub-committees focused on relevant topics of interest, non-members may participate in sub-committees and attend regular meetings if invited.
• A member who is absent from more than two consecutive regular meetings without a leave of absence is deemed to have resigned.

Remuneration

• Type A Advisory Committee members and alternate members are eligible to receive reimbursement for certain meeting-related expenses.
• Non-member subcommittee participants are not eligible to receive reimbursement.
• A light meal will be provided to Type A Advisory Committee members attending in-person regular meetings held over lunch or dinner hours.

Eligibility

Persons appointed to a Type A Advisory Committee shall meet the following essential criteria:

• Not be employed by the City of Vancouver
• Live or work in Vancouver, or have a significant body of experience with issues related to the mandate of the advisory body in Vancouver
• Have connections to relevant communities, groups, and/or organizations in Vancouver
• Be able to demonstrate relevant experience or knowledge, abilities, and skills related to the mandate of the advisory body
• Be able to work in a team environment with intercultural sensitivity

Term limit

Beginning in 2019, no member of the public shall serve for more than eight consecutive years on the same Type A Advisory Committee. A former member is eligible for reappointment after one year of non-membership.

Terms of Reference

• Urban Indigenous Peoples' Advisory Committee Full Terms of Reference

Membership

Appointments end December 31, 2024.

• Troy Abromaitis
• Suzette Amaya
• Leona Brown
• Nicole Cardinal
• Steven Eastman
• Mathew Fleury
• Erik Hunter
• Annita Mcphee
• Kwákwaýel7simia Nahanee
• Taylor Scott
• Drew Stewart

Liaisons​

Council Liaisons:

• Councillor Christine Boyle
• Councillor Adriane Carr

Staff Liaison:

• Rachel Wuttunee, Senior Manager, Urban Indigenous Relations

Vancouver Public Library Liaison:

• Rick Ouellet, Indigenous Planner, Policy and Planning

Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation Liaison:

• Commissioner Scott Jensen

Vancouver School Board Liaison: 

• Trustee Janet Fraser

Vancouver Police Department Liaison:

• Constable Rick Lavallee

Terms and Membership Composition

Persons appointed to a Type A Advisory Committee shall meet the following essential criteria:

• Not be employed by the City of Vancouver;
• Live or work in Vancouver, or have a significant body of experience with issues related to the mandate of the advisory body in Vancouver;
• Have connections to relevant communities, groups, and/or organizations in Vancouver;
• Be able to demonstrate relevant experience or knowledge, abilities and skills related to the mandate of the advisory body;
• Be able to work in a team environment with intercultural sensitivity.

Composition:

• Up to 12 members (quorum is a majority of appointed members) who represent Urban Indigenous Peoples, with at least two members identifying as Métis;
• Up to 2 non-voting Council liaisons (appointed by Mayor);
• Up to 2 non-voting staff liaisons (appointed by City Manager; at least 1 senior-level staff member).
• 1 non-voting Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioner liaison and/or staff liaison (optional);
• 1 non-voting Vancouver School Board Trustee liaison (optional);
• 1 non-voting Vancouver Public Library staff liaison (optional);
• 1 non-voting Vancouver Police Department staff liaison (optional);
• 1 non-voting Metro Vancouver Aboriginal Executive Council liaison (optional).

Length of term:

• Term ends immediately before the first Monday after November 1 in the year of a general local election. However, no regular meeting shall be held between the last day of the nomination period and general voting day.
• Members are appointed until December 31, 2024, at which point appointments are automatically renewable to the end of the term, and recruitment shall be conducted to fill any vacancies arising.

All Regular Meetings are open to the public.

In addition to the Regular Meetings listed here, the Committee also meets several times per year for informal working sessions. Please contact the Meeting Coordinator for more information.

2024 meetings, agendas, and minutes

2023 meetings, agendas, and minutes

2022 meetings, agendas, and minutes

2021 meetings, agendas, and minutes

2020 meetings, agendas, and minutes

2019 meetings, agendas, and minutes

2018 meetings, agendas, and minutes

The meetings listed below are open to the public. 

2017 meetings, agendas, and minutes

The meetings below are open to the public.

2016 meetings, agendas, and minutes

The meetings listed below are open to the public.

2015 meetings, agendas, and minutes

The meetings listed below are open to the public.

2014 meetings, agendas, and minutes

2013 meetings, agendas, and minutes

2012 meetings, agendas, and minutes

Report of Activities, 2021–2022

An overview of the committee's 2022 accomplishments.
View the Committee's report (pdf)

2021 - 2022 Work Plan

The 2021-2022 Work Plan summarizes the high priority objectives for the committee term and establishes an action plan to achieve those objectives.

• View the Work Plan

2019-2020 in review

An overview of the committee's accomplishments in 2019-2020, along with future goals. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no Council of Councils event was held.

• View the poster

July 7, 2020

The City of Vancouver's Urban Indigenous Peoples' Advisory Committee Calls for Meaningful Action on Anti-Racism and Reconciliation by Mayor, Council and Civic Departments.

Read the news release PDF file (45 KB)

2017 in review

An overview of the committee's accomplishments and recommendations for continuation of the work was presented at the Council of Councils October 12, 2017.

• View the poster PDF file

2017 - 2018 Work Plan

The 2017-2018 Work Plan summarizes the high priority objectives for the committee term and establishes an action plan to achieve those objectives

• View the Work Plan PDF file

2016 in review

An overview of the committee's 2016 accomplishments and future goals as presented at the Council of Council's on November 9, 2016.

• View the poster PDF file (295 KB)

2012 - 2014 term in review

An overview of the committee's closing term accomplishments and recommendations for continuation of the work was presented at the Council of Council's December 2014.

• View the committee's presentation PDF file (618 KB)

Year of Reconciliation

The Urban Aboriginal Peoples Advisory Committee worked closely with staff providing advice and support during the Year of Reconciliation.

• View Year of Reconciliation details

Documents

• Letter to Mayor and Council, May 19, 2022 ("Keeping our Sisters Safe")
• Letter to Mayor and Council, June 2, 2022 ("Letter of Support for UNDRIP Task Force Update Report")