Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act

CNC is committed to the success of the Government of British Columbia’s first action plan of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.

This plan will involve several steps over the next five years, several of which will impact and involve institutions such as CNC.

The new action plan is available at declaration.gov.bc.ca. Its four goals include:

1. Self-Determination and Inherent Right of Self-Government;
2. Title and Rights of Indigenous Peoples;
3. Ending Indigenous-Specific Racism and Discrimination; and
4. Social, Cultural and Economic Well-Being.

Several recommendations specifically affect post-secondary education including but not limited to:

• Activities to increase cultural relevance and responsiveness of institutions;
• Increasing the role of First Nations, Métis and Inuit learners and communities in institutional decision-making;
• Improving the educational outcomes of current and former First Nation children and youth in care;
• Revitalizing Indigenous languages in B.C.; and
• Providing self-determined and community led programs for upgrading skills, obtaining credentials, and securing employment.

Our mandate letter from the Government of British Columbia also requires the college to work toward lasting and meaningful reconciliation, as well as equity and anti-racism objectives.

CNC’s lhulh whuts’odutel’eh | Learning Together strategic plan includes goals to foster reconciliation and support the aspirations of First Nations, Métis and Inuit learners and communities. Specific actions include:

1. Incorporating Indigenous history, perspectives, and knowledge in curriculum and delivery;
2. Indigenizing the college to meaningfully change College practices, approaches and organization to integrate and include Indigenous ways of knowing and doing;
3. Revitalizing Indigenous, community and stakeholder connections; and
4. Continuing to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, as well as the BC Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act in CNC’s plans, practice and programming.

The College’s Aboriginal Education Strategy for 2019 to 2022 includes five priorities:

1. Transitions- Work with Aboriginal students, First Nations, Aboriginal communities, school districts, post-secondary institutions, and community partners to facilitate successful transitions throughout the student lifecycle.
2. Employment Readiness- Support the integration of work-readiness skills that allow students to find employment upon graduation.
3. Community-Based Programs- Continue to collaborate with Aboriginal communities and partners to offer relevant community-based programs paired with appropriate student supports.
4. Relationships- CNC values the relationships and partnerships it has with First Nations and Indigenous groups and recognizes their engagement is critical to student success and community capacity building.
5. Cultural Awareness- Support the integration of Aboriginal history, perspectives, knowledge, and values into courses, programs, services and physical spaces at CNC.

We expect several of the actions affecting the college directly will have accountability measures to demonstrate success. We will work closely with First Nations, Métis and Inuit learners and communities on these priorities, make changes, and report our progress.

The calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada will also be significant guides as we make process on the provincial action plan, our mandate letter, and the objectives in CNC’s strategic plan.

The five-year plan will likely involve further work to set priorities and timelines. We will report to the college community regularly as plans take shape and specific actions begin.