Indigenous Initiatives at the BC Public Service
Strengthening the representation and inclusion of Indigenous employees in the BC Public Service is important to Where We All Belong, our diversity and inclusion strategy. As representatives of the Crown, public servants have a responsibility to advance principles of reconciliation in a way that honours and respects the unique constitutional and legal status of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples.
Reconciliation is everybody’s responsibility and all ministries have been mandated to remain focused on creating opportunities for Indigenous peoples to be full partners in B.C.’s economy and providing a clear and sustainable path for everyone to work toward lasting and meaningful reconciliation. There are several corporate-wide initiatives led by the BC Public Service Agency that support this mandate.
For more information, please visit our homepage – the Diversity & Inclusion Resource Centre – which includes information about the Diversity & Inclusion Strategy, Accessibility, Learning and Resources, Governance and Community.
On this page
- House of Indigenous Learning
- Acknowledging a territory
- Indigenous Applicant Advisory Service
- Indigenous Youth Internship Program
- Indigenous Relations Behavioural Competencies
- Partnering with Indigenous peoples
- Indigenous Leadership and Mentorship program
- Procurement of Indigenous contractors
In response to Call 57 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, (PDF, 299KB), the House of Indigenous Learning
was formed in 2018 and is part of the BC Public Service Agency’s Learning Centre. It was created to educate B.C. public servants on the history of Indigenous peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and much more.
The House offers:
- In-person and online learning
- Webinars
- Presentations
- Workshops
- Knowledge circles
- Cohort learning
- Tailored learning opportunities
It’s increasingly common across Canada for territorial acknowledgements to be made at the beginning of meetings. For many B.C. government employees, a territory acknowledgement is an act of reconciliation, and the protocol has been a long-standing practice for Indigenous peoples.
Additional resources on this topic are available on @Work
First Nations (status or non-status), Métis or Inuit job seekers looking for work in the BC Public Service can request advice from the Indigenous Applicant Advisory Service. The service was developed as one of 15 commitments in the provincial 2017 Diversity and Inclusion Three-Year Action Plan (PDF, 849KB).
Since 2007, nearly 300 interns have been hired through the award-winning Indigenous Youth Internship Program. Over a 12-month period, Indigenous Youth ages 19 to 29 gain paid work experience in ministry placements and Indigenous organizations.
Alumni of the program have gone on to successful careers as:
- Teachers
- Doctors
- Social workers
- Lawyers
- Public servants
- Entrepreneurs
- Elected leaders
The Indigenous Relations Behavioural Competencies (IRBCs) were developed in consultation with Indigenous communities, Indigenous public servants and human resource professionals working in the public service. A guidebook was created to support the use of IRBCs, and the BC Public Service promotes the use of four IRBCs that are beneficial to all employees:
- Self-Discovery & Awareness
- Sustained Learning & Development
- Cultural Agility
- Change Leadership
The BC Public Service Agency is working in partnership with all ministries and Indigenous organizations to build a strong foundation to ensure public service professionals are capable and competent to partner with Indigenous peoples and work toward lasting and meaningful reconciliation. This work is guided by the following key documents:
- 2015 BC – First Nations Proposed Commitment Document (PDF, 641KB)
- Calls for Justice (PDF, 643KB) from the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
- Concrete Actions: Transforming Laws, Policies, Processes and Structures (PDF, 520KB)
- Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act
- Draft Principles that Guide the Province of BC’s Relationship with Indigenous Peoples (PDF, 137KB)
- Shared Vision, Guiding Principles, Goals and Objectives (PDF, 520KB)
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action (PDF, 299KB)
For Indigenous BC Public Service employees, a new Indigenous Leadership and Mentorship pilot program is being developed. This program was conceived as one of 15 commitments in the 2017 Diversity and Inclusion Three-Year Action Plan (PDF, 849KB) and will continue through Where We All Belong.
The primary goal of the program is to develop stronger Indigenous representation in leadership roles.
Additional support for learning is available through the Learning and Development Services supply arrangement where you can access Indigenous vendors.
Pricing information is accessible to individuals with a B.C. government IDIR or a BCeID that is registered with the Procurement Services Branch.
To find an Indigenous learning development or delivery consultant, download the spreadsheet from Learning and Development Services > Pricing and supplier contact information > Development.
The consultants can:
- Facilitate in-house workshops or courses
- Deliver training
- Engage a learning group
