RECONCILIATION

  • 2022 Green Reconciliation Platform - PDF

Vancouver is located on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations. Green Councillors acknowledge that the city developed without the consent of these nations, whose traditional rights and title have never been ceded. 

Vancouver has also become home to many First Nations people whose traditional territories are elsewhere in British Columbia and Canada.

Vancouver declared itself to be a City of Reconciliation in 2014, stating that “every settler and newcomer to this territory has a responsibility to learn the truth of the history and ongoing impacts of colonialism and cultural genocide on indigenous peoples and communities.” In 2016, Vancouver signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Metro Vancouver Urban Aboriginal Executive Council to work together to address unique needs of urban indigenous peoples. 

In 2021, Vancouver became the first municipality in Canada to adopt and implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), leading to Council’s unanimous vote to create a joint City Council-xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations UNDRIP Task Force. Councillor Carr was one of four Council members appointed to the Task Force, which is presenting Council with recommendations in October, 2022.

Green Councillors fully supported and were inspired by the MST-led Heather lands rezoning, which incorporated First Nations values into their development proposal, and the Vancouver Plan, which holds reconciliation as a key value and theme. Green Councillors look forward to receiving an equally inspiring development proposal for the MST’s Jericho Lands and to working collaboratively to supply city services to the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) First Nation’s Sen̓áḵw development on their reserve lands in Kitsilano. 

Through an amendment by Councillor Carr to the Broadway Plan, the values, history and language of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations will be incorporated into the planning area, including the Broadway “high street”.

Green Councillors are committed to:

  • A path of reconciliation with the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations.
  • Receiving, supporting and implementing the joint Council-xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) UNDRIP Task Force recommendations.
  • Addressing the unique needs of urban indigenous peoples, including working with xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) and Urban Indigenous Peoples to establish an Aboriginal Health, Healing and Wellness Centre in Vancouver.
  • Ensuring that the completion of the Vancouver Plan holds true to the commitment to embed reconciliation into the planning process.
  • Supporting more Indigenous healing gardens throughout the city.
  • Supporting, as Deborah Sparrow has called for, “blanketing the city in indigenous arts and culture”.
  • A Reconciliation Action Plan to achieve the calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and address the results of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
  • Cultural competency training for City Council and City staff.