Off-Reserve Aboriginal Action Plan (ORAAP)

The Off-Reserve Aboriginal Action Plan (ORAAP) is a multi-stakeholder, community-driven approach to improve education and job training, create healthier family lives, and strengthen cultures and traditions for Aboriginal people in B.C. who live off-reserve.

ORAAP began with the Speech from the Throne by The Honourable Steven Point, OBC., Lieutenant Governor, on October 3, 2011. Within the speech, the Lieutenant Governor acknowledged the importance of the off-reserve and urban aboriginal populations in British Columbia, stating: "the government will work with Aboriginal partners, the federal government and local government to develop an off-reserve Aboriginal action plan to achieve better education and job training, healthier family life and strengthened cultures and traditions."

In keeping with the Throne Speech commitment, the Province continues to implement programs and services to better support the urban and off-reserve Aboriginal population.

Off-Reserve Aboriginal Action Plan (ORAAP) Protocol Agreement

The Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation and the B.C. Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC) signed a revised ORAAP Protocol Agreement on October 23, 2014. The agreement defines the Parties’ roles and responsibilities and expands key principles, guiding B.C.'s Off-Reserve Aboriginal Action Plan (ORAAP) partnership. It places a strong focus on education, training and jobs.

• Read the Protocol Agreement

Off-Reserve Aboriginal Action Plan (ORAAP)

Vision

A world where all urban Aboriginal communities, families and children are empowered to achieve their full human potential by living healthy, self-sufficient and more economically viable lives in a way that meets their individual and community interests and cultural traditions.

The B.C. government has established the Provincial Co-ordination Team to oversee the development of ORAAP. This team includes representatives of many stakeholder groups, including:

• Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
• Ministry of Child and Family Development
• Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reducation
• B.C. Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres
• Métis Nation British Columbia
• Union of B.C. Municipalities
• Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada

ORAAP's Key Themes

• Education and training
• Employment
• Health and wellness
• Capacity building
• Relationships
• Collaboration
• Cultural awareness
• Youth and Elders

ORAAP's Guiding Principles

• Collaboration
• Community-based
• Healing and reconciliation
• Social innovation
• Capacity building
• Focused and measurable outcomes