City reaffirms commitment to UNDRIP Action Plan and ongoing Reconciliation with local Nations
On June 3, the City of Vancouver reaffirmed its commitment to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) Action Plan.
This historic plan was created together with xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation). The Action Plan was first approved in June 2024 and outlines the City’s responsibilities in upholding the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
The five-year plan includes 88 deliverables across 18 Action Groups. These focus areas range from housing and cultural visibility to environmental justice, redress, and institutional change—all with the goal of embedding Indigenous rights and leadership into the City’s policies and services.
Laying the groundwork through relationships
In the first six months of implementation, all 18 Action Groups have been established, bringing together operational and technical staff from the City and the three local Nations - marking the most comprehensive and reciprocal collaboration in the City’s history.
This early stage of work has focused on building relationships, aligning approaches, and developing detailed Action Charters to guide long-term work. A five-stage progress framework has been introduced to help track where each group is on its journey, from early planning to active delivery. Highlights from the first six months include:
- Piloting ways to fast-track Nation-led housing projects, including ʔəy̓alməxʷ/Iy̓álmexw/Jericho Lands and x̌eẃs/Xawś/The New Village (Heather Lands)
- Aligning long-range City strategies with plans developed by Nation partners, such as the Burrard Inlet Action Plan
- Completing work to scope a new historical atlas, reflecting on local Nations’ histories
- Co-creating definitions and processes for updated procurement policies
- Launching an internal dashboard to report on progress
Guided by shared priorities
The UNDRIP Task Force, which oversees the plan, is made up of elected leadership from the three local Nations and Vancouver City Council. It is guided by three core priorities:
- Supporting the implementation of the UNDRIP Action Plan
- Engaging with urban Indigenous communities in a meaningful way
- Building sustainable, long-term partnerships between governments.
As the City marks one year since adopting the UNDRIP Action Plan and over a decade as a City of Reconciliation, it also acknowledges the enduring impacts of colonization felt by Indigenous Peoples. Reconciliation is not a checklist – it is a living, ongoing process of repairing relationships, recognizing rights and restoring justice.
Advancing reconciliation year-round
In the spirit of continued transparency and dialogue, the City and its partners will share important updates this month:
- The celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21 event at Carnegie Community Centre
- A progress update on the City’s response to the Calls for Justice from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people
- An update on the Reconciliation Framework for activities outside the scope of the UNDRIP Task Force
To learn more about the City’s UNDRIP Action Plan and Reconciliation commitments, visit: vancouver.ca/undrip.
Quotes
Mayor Ken Sim:
“The UNDRIP Action Plan is a landmark commitment that reflects our shared responsibility to uphold the rights of Indigenous Peoples together with Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh, we are building a new foundation for how governments can work together based on respect and partnership. This work is transforming how the City makes decisions and delivers services, and we remain committed to reconciliation that is meaningful, ongoing, and grounded in action.”
Chief Wayne Sparrow, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band):
“Our administrative staff and appointed council members remain fully committed to the deliverables outlined in our action plan. We are encouraged by the progress to date - UNDRIP implementation is underway. It's inspiring to be part of this historic journey."
Sxwixwtn Wilson Williams, Spokesperson and Council Member, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation):
"The City of Vancouver’s commitment to the UNDRIP Action Plan creates a future grounded in respect, equity, and partnership with local First Nations, and ensures our voices, cultures and teachings are leading the way in shaping our collective path forward.”
Councillors Charlene Aleck ts’simtelot and Dennis Thomas Whonoak, səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation):
“In the year since our UNDRIP Action Plan was approved, we’ve taken tremendous steps forward in this transformational initiative. Our government-to-government partnership has been nourished with productive discussions and planning; our Action Groups are tackling numerous issues of concern for our Nations - wellbeing, housing, economic revitalization, cultural access, rights and title, and much more. We’re paddling together in the same canoe, and we wish to bring everyone along on this journey since UNDRIP impacts us all.”