New Relationship
The Government of British Columbia is leading the nation in developing a New Relationship with First Nations and Aboriginal
people. Guided by principles of trust, and by recognition and respect of First Nations' rights and title, we are building
a stronger and healthier relationship between government and Aboriginal people. By working together, we will bring tangible
social and economic benefits to Aboriginal people across the province and narrow the gap between Aboriginal people and other
British Columbians.
The Ministry is committed to supporting and facilitating the development of constructive relationships between local governments
and First Nations. The Ministry maintains close relationships with the Union of BC Municipalities and its First Nations Relations
Committee, and participates on related working groups. The Ministry provides resources to local governments and other ministries
to support an understanding of key treaty and non-treaty issues and concerns for local governments. The Ministry undertakes
a variety of specific initiatives aimed at enhancing First Nations-local government relations. These include:
- providing annual funding ($50,000) to the Union of BC Municipalities and the First Nations Summit to administer the Local
Government-First Nations Community to Community Forum Program, which supports 30 to 50 regional forums per year, and a province-wide
technical workshop or forum in alternating years;
- participating in treaty table discussions and workshops with provincial and federal negotiators and First Nations to raise
awareness about the local government system and local government interests in treaties; and
- funding, leading and/or participating in research studies on issues affecting local government-First Nations relations. Treaty Settlement Land: The Fiscal Impacts on Local Government is a key example of this.
With regard to programs for Aboriginal people, the Ministry supports violence prevention and intervention initiatives for
Aboriginal women. In addition, the BladeRunners program assists at-risk youth to enter the construction trades. In 2005/06,
71 per cent of youth participating in the program were of Aboriginal ancestry.