Anti-racism definitions

• the deliberate act of opposing racism and promoting a society that is thoughtful, inclusive and just

Colonizers are groups of people or countries that come to a new place or country and steal the land and resources from Indigenous peoples, and develop a set of laws and public processes that are designed to violate the human rights of the Indigenous peoples, violently suppress the governance, legal, social, and cultural structures of Indigenous peoples, and force Indigenous peoples to conform with the structures of the colonial state. ​

Information describing certain characteristics of an individual or group such as:

• age
• race
• gender
• ethnicity
• income
• Indigenous identity

This may also be referred to as demographic data, demographic group or demographics.

A distinctions-based approach means that the Province’s work with First Nations, Métis and Inuit people will be conducted in a manner that acknowledges the specific rights, interests, priorities and concerns of each, while respecting and acknowledging these distinct peoples with unique cultures, histories, rights, laws, and governments.

• Learn more 

The BC Public Service defines diversity according to legally protected differences such as race, age, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.

Diversity also includes such 'non-visible' qualities as diversity in thought, perspectives, education, socio-economic status and life experiences.

Read the BC Public Service’s diversity and inclusion strategy to learn more.

• something is fair and just for everybody
• it may refer to many things, including programs, services and society as a whole

Equity is different than equality, which means everyone is treating in the same way. Equity recognizes that we are not starting at the same place and seeks to address these imbalances.

It may also refer to Gender Equity or Racial Equity.

• We all have multiple characteristics that intersect and contribute to who we are. To use a gender-based lens means considering how diverse groups of women, men, and gender-diverse people may experience policies, programs and initiatives.

To do this, we use Gender-Based Analysis Plus, or GBA+. This is an analytical tool used to assess how diverse groups of people may experience policies, programs and initiatives.

The “plus” indicates that the analysis goes beyond sex and gender and includes the examination of a range of other identity factors, such as:

• Indigenous identity
• age
• education
• language
• race
• ability
• class

Gender equity is about removing barriers that stop people from reaching their full potential. Too often, women and gender-diverse people experience unfairness. This is especially true when they also struggle with injustices like poverty, racism, ableism and/or homophobia.

Learn more about how government is creating equal opportunities for everyone in B.C. 

• ability of an Indigenous government to access, collect, control, and utilize data about its citizens and territories

• an entity that exercises governmental functions for Indigenous Peoples

Indigenous Governing Entity expands upon the definition of an Indigenous Governing Body, which is used in the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act to refer to “an entity that is authorized to act on behalf of Indigenous Peoples that hold rights recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.”

• an analytical approach that describes how a person’s overlapping social identities relate to social structures of racism and oppression as well as privilege.

Intersectionality combines many identity markers to create a more truthful and complex identity. This may include:

• race
• class
• gender
• sexual orientation
• age
• ethnicity
• religion
• disability

• the idea that nobody should face barriers or discrimination because of their race

Working towards racial equity means addressing the root cause of the issue. This includes changing any policies or programs that further existing inequities to deliver better outcomes for everyone.

• a set of mistaken assumptions, opinions and actions resulting from the belief that one group of people categorized by colour or ancestry is inherently superior to another.

Racism may be present in organizational and institutional policies, programs and practices, as well as in the attitudes and behaviour of individuals. It results in the inequitable distribution of opportunity, benefit or resources across ethnic/racial groups.

• occurs through inequities that are built into services, systems and structures
• these are often caused by hidden biases that disadvantage people based on their race

For many Indigenous Peoples and racialized communities, this results in unequal access, poorer outcomes and negative experiences with public services such as education, healthcare, child welfare and policing.