Goals, Objectives, Strategies and Results

Overview

This section identifies the ministry’s goals and outlines how specific objectives and strategies will contribute to the achievement of these goals. Brief descriptions are provided on some of the initiatives and activities the ministry will undertake to achieve its goals and objectives. Performance measures and targets have been established that link to the ministry’s goals and objectives, and prior year results are provided for comparison. Progress in achieving the targets identified will be monitored and reported on in Annual Service Plan Reports.

Ministry Goals

The ministry’s mission is to eliminate the socio-economic gap between Aboriginal people and other British Columbians to ensure that Aboriginal people share in the benefits of reaching the Five Great Goals.

In order to realize this, the ministry will need to focus its resources, and work collaboratively with Aboriginal organizations and other government agencies, in order to:

1. Conclude treaties and other lasting agreements on lands and natural resources with First Nations.
2. Improve social and economic outcomes for Aboriginal people.
3. Build strong and respectful relationships between government and Aboriginal organizations.

Linkage to the Five Great Goals

The ministry will work with other ministries and agencies to ensure that, where appropriate, goals and practical outcomes specific to Aboriginal people are identified in their service plans. Indicators of success in each of the great goal areas may include but are not limited to:

Goal 1: Best educated, most literate

• Arrangements that allow a seamless system between First Nations schools and public schools.
• Preservation, revitalization, retention and teaching of Aboriginal languages.
• Improved K–12 completion rates for Aboriginal people.
• Increased Aboriginal post-secondary participation.

Goal 2: Leading the way in healthy living

• Reduction in the incidence of preventable diseases, substance abuse and youth suicide among Aboriginal people.
• Increased number of trained Aboriginal health professionals.

Goal 3: Best system of support

• Improved access to satisfactory housing for Aboriginal people.
• Reduced number of Aboriginal children in care.

Goal 4: Leading sustainable environmental management

• Negotiation of agreements and treaties that provide opportunities for First Nations to engage in both economic and environmental benefits.

Goal 5: Create more jobs per capita

• Negotiation of agreements that incorporate First Nations into regional and provincial economies.
• Support for the development of an integrated Aboriginal tourism and cultural strategy.

Cross-Ministry Initiatives

The ministry is actively involved in the following cross-ministry initiatives, led by other ministries, which support the Five Great Goals. The Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation will collaborate with these agencies to ensure initiatives and their outcomes contribute to the new relationship.

Literacy: the First Citizens Fund supports the preservation and teaching of Aboriginal languages.

Crystal Meth: the ministry supports the promotion of grants to First Nations and Aboriginal communities who want to work on drug prevention and treatment strategies.

ActNow: the ministry supports the incorporation of ActNow into preventative health programs to reduce incidence of preventable illness.

The Children’s Agenda: the ministry supports initiatives to strengthen the capacity of Aboriginal families and communities to care for their children.

Mountain Pine Beetle: the ministry supports opportunities for First Nations to work to mitigate the beetle’s impact and diversify regional economies.

The 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games: the ministry supports the implementation of agreements with the four Host Nations (Squamish, Lil’wat, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam).

Asia-Pacific Strategy: the ministry supports an integrated Aboriginal tourism and cultural strategy, including the 2008 North American Indigenous Games, to attract Asia-Pacific visitors. Markets for Aboriginal business products are to be expanded.

Performance Plan

Transforming the way we conduct our relations with First Nations means the ministry will broaden its measures of progress in treaties. Traditional measures such as comprehensive agreements-in-principle or final treaty agreements are included in this goal; smaller or more discrete agreements that will build other lasting agreements and treaties incrementally will also be measured.

The measures indicated are incremental: by adding additional agreements or milestones, we will be moving toward the overall goal of reconciliation with First Nations throughout the province. As social and economic outcomes improve for First Nations, the ministry anticipates that this will support and foster continued momentum for final treaty or other lasting agreements.

1	Calculated as of March 31, 2004, the base figure for the amount of Crown land covered by agreements is 28,753,499 ha and includes all agreements across government.
2	Previously estimated in February 2005/06 Service Plan as 33%, the increase was achieved primarily through the contribution of ongoing negotiations by the Ministry of Forests and Range with the achievement of 33 Forest and Range Agreements in 2004/05.

Key strategies include: focusing on key opportunities to conclude agreements with First Nations; providing leadership to line ministries and provincial agencies to support consultation and accommodation activities; consulting with key stakeholders on issues under negotiation; strengthening relations between First Nations and non-First Nation business interests; introducing improved practices related to the timely transfer of Crown land, resources and program responsibility to First Nations following treaties or other agreements.

The ministry is also working towards helping local governments strengthen their relationships with First Nation communities, which includes facilitating discussions on common issues such as service agreements. These discussions have strong impacts on the ability of the parties to make progress in the treaty process or to establish good working relationships between neighboring communities.

1	Refers to significant accommodation agreements with cross-ministry impacts.
2	Refers to the number of initialed final agreements and agreements-in-principle. Also refers to agreements such as land transfers to First Nations or land protection measures that build momentum and make progress towards treaties or other lasting agreements. These land transfers or land protection measures can be with First Nations in the treaty process or with First Nations currently not engaged in the treaty process.

The ministry provides leadership across government to develop and implement policies that will promote culturally responsive, coordinated and effective programs and services for Aboriginal people in British Columbia.

Government has committed to setting a ten-year plan, together with Aboriginal leaders, to eliminate the social and economic disparities between Aboriginal people and other British Columbians. It is crucial to recognize that the success of such a plan depends on government’s shared ability to initiate early action, which will build the confidence and impetus necessary to achieve broad support. Accordingly, the focus in years one and two of the plan will be on concrete actions that have an on-the-ground immediate impact in Aboriginal communities.

1

This measure reflects commitments made with First Nations through the new relationship and the Transformative Change Accord, signed at the First Ministers Meeting by British Columbia, Canada and First Nations leadership. It also reflects commitments set out in tripartite Métis and urban Aboriginal agreements. This measure includes reporting and tracking of cross-government social-economic outcomes for Aboriginal people.

Key strategies include: improving access to and quality of services for Aboriginal people through enhanced inter-ministry coordination and partnerships; supporting capacity development within Aboriginal communities toward the delivery of culturally appropriate programs and services; and providing opportunities for Aboriginal entrepreneurs to develop or expand businesses.

Accords and protocol agreements have been signed with First Nations, Métis and Aboriginal organizations in association with the federal government that focus on housing, health and education. For example, this ministry is working with the Ministry of Education and the federal government on an agreement to recognize First Nation jurisdiction over education, including better coordination and delivery of education services to Aboriginal people. The agreement will provide First Nation communities with the ability to take on more responsibility for their children’s education, as well as integrate more culturally meaningful curriculum materials.

1	For example, development and implementation of the B.C. Aboriginal Workforce Strategy will result in increased access to employment opportunities for Aboriginal people.

The ministry is committed to fulfilling its leadership responsibilities in achieving a new relationship and transforming the way in which ministries across government interact with Aboriginal people. Performance measures for that major transformation will differ across government, but each ministry and agency will exemplify some change in the way it carries out its responsibilities. Key to the success of achieving this goal is developing formal mechanisms for meaningful dialogue between government, Aboriginal leaders and communities. Measures include broad comprehensive agreements or processes such as the joint BC/First Nation management process to implement the new relationship and annual meetings between First Nations and the provincial Cabinet.

Much of government’s success in transforming the way it interacts with Aboriginal people depends on how Aboriginal people perceive government activities. The Ministry and Aboriginal leaders will work together to identify practical ideas and begin early activities that will provide meaningful change in cross-government relations with Aboriginal people. The ministry will share these findings within government and invite further dialogue on beginning and maintaining the practical side of the new relationship.

1	Refers to the number of provincial policies that have been processed through First Nations and other Aboriginal organizations, which may include discussion and engagement with community representatives.

Key strategies include: working cooperatively with First Nations to identify an agenda of activities focused on reconciliation and recognition; developing policies, positions and mandates consistent with the principles of reconciliation and recognition that improve relationships between Aboriginal people, the Crown, local governments and all citizens; provide leadership to line ministries and provincial agencies undertaking reconciliation activities; undertake initiatives to increase public awareness and understanding to promote a vision of reconciliation.

For example, the ministry has been working directly with First Nation leaders to develop processes for engaging First Nations in the government policies that affect First Nation communities. A Management Committee has been established with representatives from the three First Nation provincial organizations and key Deputy Ministers from across government. Government has also created a special advisory position within the Premier’s Office on Aboriginal issues that provides strategic advice to government. This position has been closely involved in discussions with First Nation leaders.

1	Including agreements regarding Aboriginal place naming and language preservation.
2	Sessions/events undertaken include public meetings, public events, open houses and signing ceremonies.

Key strategies include: developing and implementing the $100 million New Relationship Fund; developing with First Nations a new effective consultation and accommodation framework; providing leadership to line ministries to engage with First Nations more fully; and establishing a First Nations Secretariat that government will work with to further our mutual goals.

Changes to Goals, Objectives, Strategies, Performance Measures and Targets

Some performance measures and targets have been adjusted to reflect the outcomes agreed to at the First Ministers Meeting on November 25, 2005. Others have been adjusted to provide more practical information to readers.

Ministry Performance Plan Summary