Symbols of the three Nations and the City of Vancouver

City recognizes UNDRIP Action Plan and reflects on 10 years as a City of Reconciliation

June 3 2024 –

Today, the City of Vancouver, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish Nation), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) gathered to recognize the important work that has been done to develop the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) Action Plan, a major milestone for Vancouver’s journey towards Reconciliation.

Following the creation of UNDRIP Strategy and 79 calls-to-action, the UNDRIP Task Force, which was convened in partnership with the City of Vancouver, Musqueam Indian Band, Squamish Nation, and Tsleil-Waututh Nation, developed an action plan and specific goals to implement the historic strategy.

As the initial UNDRIP Action Plan, the task force identified 18 action groups with one or more deliverables to begin implementing over the next five years, under five themes:  

  • Relationship Foundations
  • Redress, Housing and Land
  • Cultural Presence
  • Stewardship and Addressing Environmental Racism
  • Communication and Accountability

The task force engaged with diverse urban Indigenous residents on their priorities and will continue to ensure their priorities are reflected throughout implementation of the action plan.

Acknowledging the important work that Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Vancouver have done, the task force gathered today to uphold laws and protocols of the local Nations at a ceremony at the Vancouver Convention Centre. The City of Vancouver looks forward to continuing working alongside the Nations to move the UNDRIP Action Plan forward.

Review the full UNDRIP Action Plan (540 KB)

Next Steps

The UNDRIP Action Plan will be presented to Vancouver City Council at a Council meeting on June 25, 2024. Implementation of the action plan will begin following approval by the councils of all partners.

10 Years of Reconciliation

The City is commemorating 10 years as a City of Reconciliation. To recognize this milestone, the City commissioned an emblem from Squamish Nation artist, Tawx'sin Yexwulla Aaron Nelson Moody (Splash) that was unveiled today. Vancouver City Hall, the Burrard Bridge, BC Place and Science World will be lit up in teal, orange and red tonight in celebration.

Vancouver’s Reconciliation efforts to date are based on its long-term commitment to working towards Reconciliation with xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish Nation), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), and urban Indigenous communities.

While 10 years of Reconciliation has been a time of progress, the City knows that the is much more work to do, and that Reconciliation is an ongoing process.  
 
To learn more about the City’s journey towards reconciliation, visit vancouver.ca/people-programs/city-of-reconciliation.

Quotes

Squamish Nation Chairperson and Task Force Co-Chair Khelsilem

“The City of Vancouver’s UNDRIP Action Plan marks a significant step forward in respecting and recognizing Indigenous rights and titles. This plan, in alignment with Canada and British Columbia's broader efforts, represents necessary and long-overdue changes that will enhance the quality of life for everyone. By upholding and honouring Indigenous cultures, ways of life, and ancestral connections to the land and waters, Vancouver is set to become a city where the rights of all people are truly recognized and respected.”

City of Vancouver Councillor and Task Force Co-Chair Christine Boyle

“As one of the UNDRIP Taskforce Co-chairs, I am honoured to have worked closely alongside Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh leaders to move this groundbreaking UNDRIP Action Plan forward. Implementing UNDRIP is an essential response to Indigenous rights, prioritizing self-determination, and investment in the well-being of Indigenous people in Vancouver. As Vancouver commemorates 10 years as the City of Reconciliation, this work is timely and important. I look forward to continuing to strengthen government-to-government relations and uphold the unique and distinct rights of Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations and urban Indigenous communities.” 
 
səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) Chief Jen Thomas

“səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) Chief and Council are proud to stand with our relatives, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band) and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish Nation), as well as the City of Vancouver to celebrate ten years of the City of Reconciliation and the UNDRIP Action Plan. Vancouver has always been at the forefront of reconciliation, bringing us forward together. We know there is more work that needs to be done, but this is an important step in the right direction.” 
 
Musqueam Indian Band yəχʷyaχʷələq Chief Wayne Sparrow

“Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and the City of Vancouver are making history with the unveiling of this five-year action plan to implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. It has been an honor to work collaboratively on this important document that is the next logical step in our reconciliation journeys. If the goals of the plan are achieved, including the commitments we made in the October 2022 recommendations, it could result in our communities finally witnessing the long overdue advancement of our inherent Indigenous rights within our territories.’ 
 
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim

“The City of Vancouver is honoured to work alongside the Musqueam Indian Band, Squamish Nation, and Tsleil-Waututh Nation as we pave the way towards implementing UNDRIP at the municipal level in Canada. Celebrating a decade as the City of Reconciliation fills us with immense pride, yet we recognize this is just the beginning. We are committed to delivering on our action plan and will continue making meaningful strides to improve the lives of Indigenous peoples in Vancouver.”

Background

UNDRIP strategy and action plan

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) is the most comprehensive international instrument on the rights of Indigenous Peoples and is a framework for reconciliation to uphold and protect Indigenous Peoples.

March 2021, City Council unanimously adopted a motion to create a UNDRIP Task Force, who worked in partnership with xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish Nation), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), to develop the City’s UNDRIP Strategy and UNDRIP Action Plan.

In October 2022, Vancouver City Council passed the City of Vancouver’s UNDRIP Strategy and 79 calls-to-action, which were the first of their kind for a municipality in the world, making Vancouver a world leader in implementing a clear strategy towards UNDRIP and Reconciliation.

The UNDRIP Action Plan is the first action plan to implement the long-term Vancouver UNDRIP Strategy and includes specific shared actions and goals that we can implement over the next 5 years (2024-2028). 

The action plan identifies 18 action groups with one or more calls to action and provides:

  • A summary of the goal of each Action Group
  • The UNDRIP Strategy Action being to be implemented
  • The City departments responsible for action
  • Specific deliverables to report on throughout implementation. 

10 Years of Reconciliation

The City is commemorating 10 years as the City of Reconciliation.

Vancouver was designated a City of Reconciliation when the Reconciliation Framework (150 KB) was adopted by Council on July 8, 2014.

Vancouver’s Reconciliation efforts to date are based on our long-term commitment to working towards Reconciliation with xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish Nation), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), and urban Indigenous communities.

Despite the progress made to date, we know we have much more work to do, and we recognize that Reconciliation is an ongoing process, not a destination.

Learn about Reconciliation milestones and key initiatives to date here: vancouver.ca/people-programs/city-of-reconciliation. 

City of Reconciliation 10 Year Emblem: About the Artwork

Learn more about the 10 Year emblem and the artist behind the work.