Urban Indigenous Engagement Framework

Urban Indigenous people from across North America include:

• First Nations
• Inuit
• Métis

Urban Indigenous people have long called for more equitable opportunities to influence decisions that affect their lives. The Urban Indigenous Engagment Framework responds directly to those calls by:

• Embedding Indigenous protocols and cultural safety into engagement processes
• Supporting trauma‑informed practices
• Creating consistent and more accessible approaches to engagement
• Making sure Indigenous knowledge and priorities shape policies, programs, and services
• Establishing reporting back practices so urban Indigenous people know how their individual input was incorporated

The framework was co‑developed through a collaborative process that included:

• Guidance from xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band)
• Guidance from Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation)
• Guidance from səl̓ilwətaɬ (Tsleil‑Waututh Nation)
• Knowledge shared by more than 200 urban Indigenous participants through engagement sessions held across 2023 to 2024
• Contributions from our Urban Indigenous Peoples Advisory Committee and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit (MMIWG2S) Advisory Committee
• Contributions from the UNDRIP Task Force
• Contributions from our Indigenous Relations team and Reconciliation planners

This collaborative approach makes sure the Urban Indigenous Engagement Framework reflects the diverse experiences of Indigenous Peoples living in Vancouver and honours the leadership of the local Nations whose lands we live and work on.

The Urban Indigenous Engagement Framework is a priority action within our UNDRIP Action Group 2 PDF file (614 KB). Completing this framework supports our strategic objectives by implementing the:

• Reconciliation Framework (2014) PDF file (150 KB)
• MMIWG2S Response Report (2022) PDF file (1.7 MB)
• 2024-2028 UNDRIP Strategy and Action Plan PDF file (614 KB)

Vancouver’s Reconciliation work is centred on our long‑term commitment to Reconciliation and respect for Indigenous rights in collaboration with xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), səl̓ilwətaɬ (Tsleil‑Waututh Nation), and urban Indigenous communities.

Adopting this Urban Indigenous Engagement Framework reinforces our commitment to advancing Reconciliation in a meaningful and lasting way.