Strategic Context

Vision, Mission and Values

Vision

Economic and social benefits for Aboriginal people are achieved through collaborative change. Treaties and other agreements, based on respect and recognition of Aboriginal rights and title, are concluded.

Mission

The ministry provides leadership to work collaboratively with other provincial ministries, Aboriginal organizations, the federal government and other partners in support of relationship-building and for the elimination of the socio-economic disparity between Aboriginal people and other British Columbians. The ministry also negotiates and implements treaties and other workable arrangements with First Nations to provide sustainable economic opportunities and to increase certainty over Crown land and resources in British Columbia.

Values

The Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation recognizes that achievement of its goals depends on the continued support of a professional, skilled and knowledgeable workforce. Staff work to accomplish these goals in a progressive, innovative and results-oriented manner. They deliver services efficiently, effectively and with a clear sense of pride and purpose encompassing the following values:

Accountability — being accessible and responsive to our partners and stakeholders, measuring and reporting on our performance at all levels.

Innovation — possessing the flexibility and creativity in developing solutions, embracing technological change in order to capture new opportunities and make strategic investments in our people.

Respect and Integrity — treating our partners and stakeholders as clients, focusing on dedicated and respectful service, placing value on diversity and differing opinions, and conducting ourselves in an ethical and professional manner.

Trust and Honesty — maintaining open and transparent activities and actively responding to public, partner and stakeholder feedback.

Planning Context and Key Strategic Issues

The Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation faces a range of challenges and opportunities which affects its planning context.

The collective commitment of the whole of government to the Five Great Goals over the next decade will help the ministry make sure that Aboriginal people are part of the design of programs, policies and measures to reach our mutually agreed upon targets.

Internally, the ministry is in a strong position to provide strategic advice, identify opportunities and remove barriers and to stimulate change due to a solid history of relationship-building, a unified mandate and a better integrated government decision-making structure.

Externally, the ministry seeks to manage the uncertainty associated with unreconciled Aboriginal rights and title and Crown title and the associated impact over lands and resources decision-making.

The evolving legal environment with regard to court decisions on Aboriginal rights presents a challenge to government: to change the manner in which the Crown's legal duty to consult and accommodate constitutionally protected Aboriginal rights is carried out. By developing and implementing a framework for consultation and accommodation with First Nations, fewer decisions should be litigated and legal costs can be reduced.

Negotiations with First Nations aim to address these uncertainties by establishing agreements designed to enhance economic opportunities, support development and lead to treaties. The reluctance of some First Nations to engage in the treaty process affects the ministry's ability to achieve its goals. To address this challenge, the framework for respecting Aboriginal rights may assist in establishing lasting agreements, in the absence of treaties.