INDIGENOUS
RECONCILIATION
Both within our organization and in our work with members, CHF BC is committed to Indigenous truth, reconciliation and decolonization. This work will necessarily be built on a commitment to learning and action based on justice, respect, and equality.
Truth is about our past and our present; reconciliation is the story of our future.
Our Journey
At CHF BC, we are engaging on a journey that begins with being open to unlearning. It means challenging out belief and narratives, and inviting more accountability in our work.
As we’ve engaged with our members, many of whom have either been impacted by the colonial practices embedded in their housing co-ops’ culture, or those who have observed it, we recognize that we have a long way to go. We are committed to honouring the lived experiences of our members and lead by example and support housing co-op boards to create more inclusive communities.
Territorial Acknowledgement
We at the Co-operative Housing Federation of BC (CHF BC) acknowledge and pay our respect to the Indigenous keepers of the traditional and unceded lands upon which our office and many housing co-operatives are situated: the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), sʔəl̀ilwətaʔɬ, (Tsleil-Waututh), WSÁNEĆ (Saanich), and lək̓ʷəŋən (Lekwungen)-speaking Peoples.
Unceded means they were never signed over through treaty rights, and still rightfully belong to the nations who have stewarded them since time immemorial. We acknowledge the impact of colonialism and that our presence here today was paved through a system of discriminatory and racist practices. We are committed to honoring, listening, and continuously learning from the diverse perspectives of these and other Indigenous Peoples.
— CHF BC’s Territorial Acknowledgement
What is a Territory Acknowledgement?
Territory acknowledgement is a way that people insert an awareness of Indigenous presence and land rights in everyday life. This is often done at the beginning of ceremonies, lectures, or any public event. It can be a subtle way to recognize the history of colonialism and a need for change in settler colonial societies.
Search a location to find territory acknowledgement information
Search a location to find territory acknowledgement information
Our Commitment
CHF BC is dedicated to the principles of anti-racism and an end to racial discrimination. While some progress has been made, Indigenous peoples in Canada still face racism and discrimination every day.
Lasting change requires an ongoing commitment to learning and action based on justice, respect, and equality. We encourage everybody to use this month as an opportunity to renew our collective commitment to these important principles.
CHF BC is dedicated to the principles of anti-racism and an end to racial discrimination. While some progress has been made, Indigenous peoples in Canada still face racism and discrimination every day.
We are taking action on this work through our strategic priority of ‘belonging.’ To this end, we are committed to listening, learning, and changing.
We are also committed to amplifying the voices of our members, friends, and partners so that inclusivity becomes the norm in our world. We aim to inspire housing co-ops to be communities that promote and embody equitable access, opportunity, respect, and a sense of belonging for everyone.
A Step On Our Journey Towards Reconciliation
“How can you be a community that reinforces values of respect and belonging if you make people feel excluded with something as simple and ordinary as the title of a publication?” – Thom Armstrong
When CHF BC’s flagship publication, SCOOP, was first published, the goal was to share news, events and stories that would bring individual co-ops scattered throughout the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island into a province-wide co-op community—stronger, together.
The name was seen as a clever play on words, conveying both the thrill of a journalistic scoop of important information and, with the “s” removed, the word “co-op.” It’s easy to imagine the creators landing on the name with a sense of pride in its feeling of excitement, forward momentum and even humour.
But the name conveys another meaning; one that wasn’t realized until it was pointed out to us here at CHF BC just recently.
This story is about how we are acknowledging our oversight, the privilege inherent in that blindness, and the work we are doing to set things right.
Showing our Support
In January 2022, our partners at the Aboriginal Housing Management Association unveiled the first-ever BC Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy.
The Report (PDF) outlines a 10-Year ‘Urban, Rural, and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy’ (Housing Strategy) to address the housing needs of off-reserve Indigenous people in BC. It is informed by a thorough review of historical and existing housing programs, statistical data, and demographic trends.
The Strategy includes a Vision Statement, four key Objectives, nine Principles, and thirteen Strategic Actions. It also includes an Implementation Plan that identifies the funding, resources, and activities required to implement the Strategic Actions.
CHF BC has officially endorsed the strategy and is actively advocating for it’s implementation.
National Strategy
We also support the development of a—By Indigenous, For Indigenous—national Urban Indigenous Housing Strategy. At our 2021 Semi-Annual General Meeting in May, delegates passed a resolution (pdf) in support of this. Our friends at the Canadian Housing & Renewal Association (CHRA) and the CHRA Indigenous Caucus continue to work towards this goal.
Resources
For many people. learning about reconciliation and decolonization can be a difficult and personal process. It can often be difficult to know where to start.
While we are all in different places in our journeys a good place to start—or check in with yourself—is by reading, watching, and learning.
There have been several resources produced in recent years on this topic. Here are some to get you started.
Truth and Reconciliation
- See the 94 calls to action: Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action
- Sign the petition: Call for Action on Truth and Reconciliation
- Learn more at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
- Beyond 94, CBC
- Calls to Action Accountability: A 2021 Status Update on Reconciliation, Yellowhead Institute
- Canada 150: Truth and Reconciliation in the Non Profit Sector, Charity Village
- Everyday Reconciliation (podcast), Canada 2020
- Kitchen Table Guide For Reconciliation Dialogue For Individuals, Communities and Organizations, Reconciliation Canada
- Six resources to start the Truth and Reconciliation conversation, CHF Canada
- Truth and Reconciliation in the Workplace (podcast), From Our Vantagepoint
- The TRC Calls to Action in BC Municipalities, Women Transforming Cities, 2023
Territorial Acknowledgements
- Find territory acknowledgement information
- Are you planning to do a Land Acknowledgement?, Debbie Reese for American Indians in Children’s Literature, March 9, 2019
- Beyond Territorial Acknowledgements, Chelsea Vowel, September 23, 2016
- Beyond the land acknowledgement (video), Regional Synergies Episode 3, Co-operatives First
- A guide to Indigenous land acknowledgements (PDF), CHF Canada. Use this guide to learn more about what a land acknowledgment is and why it’s important.
- ‘I regret it’: Hayden King on writing Ryerson University’s territorial acknowledgement, Unreserved, CBC, January 20, 2019
- Know the Land: Territories Campaign, Laurier Students’ Public Interest Research Group (LSPIRG)
- Making Coast Salish Territorial Acknowledgements Matter, [VIDEO] Coast Salish Cultural Network, November 25, 2016
- Territorial Acknowledgements from awareness to practice, Decolonize Everything, Nahanee Creative Inc.
- Territory Acknowledgement Panel Talk, [VIDEO] Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology, University of British Columbia | October 18, 2016
CHF Canada Resources
- Reconciliation Toolkit, CHF Canada
- The story behind Orange Shirt Day, CHF Canada
- At a Vancouver co-op, a diversity grant helps seeds of reconciliation grow, CHF Canada
- A guide to Indigenous land acknowledgements (PDF), CHF Canada. Use this guide to learn more about what a land acknowledgment is and why it’s important.
Read (Books)
- 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act, by Bob Joseph
- A Knock on the Door by various authors
- A Quiet Evolution: The Emergence of Indigenous-Local Intergovernmental Partnerships in Canada by Christopher Alcantara and Jen Nelles
- All Our Relations: Finding the Path Forward by Tanya Talaga, CBC Massey Lectures
- Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and The Teachings Of Plants, by Robin Wall Kimmerer
- From the Ashes: My story of being Metis, homeless and finding my way by Jesse Thistle
- I Am Woman: A Native Perspective on Sociology and Feminism by Lee Maracle
- My conversations with Canadians by Lee Maracle
- Namwayut—We Are All One: A Pathway to Reconciliation by Chief Dr. Robert Joseph
- Our Story: Aboriginal voices on Canada’s past by various authors
- The Inconvenient Indian by Thomas King
- The Land Is Not Empty, by Sarah Augustine
- Tsqelmucwilc: The Kamloops Indian Residential School – Resistance and a Reckoning by Celia Haig-Brown, Randy Fred, and Garry Gottfriedson
- Warrior Life: Indigenous Resistance and Resurgence, by Pamela Palmater
- Whose Land is it Anyway? (PDF),edited by Peter McFarlane and Nicole Schabus
- Why are Indigenous People Blocking the Railroad, And Why It’s Important: A Path to Understanding (PDF Zine), by Chloloula
- 35 books to read for National Indigenous History Month (CBC)
- Indigenous Booklists, Vancouver Public Library
Read (Articles)
- A century after their village was burned, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh is rebuilding Sen̓áḵwm, Indiginews
- A Groundbreaking Indigenous Rights Decision, 25 Years Later, Amanda Follett Hosgood, The Tyee
- B.C.’s decision not to support 2030 Olympic bid is a blow to reconciliation, First Nations say, Karin Larsen · CBC News
- Building Inclusion for Indigenous Peoples in Canadian Workplaces (Report), Catalyst – Workplaces that Work for Women
- Decolonization Theory and Practice, Racial Equity Tools
- Delgamuukw 25 years on: How Canada has undermined the landmark decision on Indigenous land rights, Shiri Pasternak, The Conversation
- First Nations climate conference urged to think DIY to create self-sufficiency, Aidan Cox, CBC New Brunswick
- How we consider reconciliation as a non-Indigenous company working with Indigenous communities, 50th Parallel Public Relations
- In its final public meeting, Vancouver council approves UNDRIP strategy, Justin McElroy, CBC News, Oct 25, 2022
- Indigenous cultural competency self-assessment checklist, Indigenous Corporate Training Inc.
- The Mamalilikulla’s long journey home, Stephanie Wood, The Narwhal
- ‘The spirit of our Elders’: the inside story of how the Tahltan Nation saved their Sacred Headwaters, Matt Simmons, The Narwhal
- The time to address anti-Indigenous racism is long past due, Marie-Claude Landry, Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission, (October 20, 2020)
- ‘There’s history sitting there’: Documentary draws on unseen footage to tell story of Idle No More, Matt Humphrey, CBC (Jan 21, 2023)
- Wahkohtowin: How relationships are the foundation of cooperation within communities, Co-operatives First
- We Were So Far Away: The Inuit Experience of Residential Schools, Legacy of Hope Foundation
- What are Indian day schools? 3 things you might not know, Zoe McDaniel, Beyond UBC
- What is decolonization and why does it matter? Eric Ritskes
- Where to get the best Indigenous food in Vancouver, Dished
Watch
- Beyond the land acknowledgement, Regional Synergies Episode 3, Co-operatives First
- Braiding Sweetgrass: The Interconnectedness of All, Christy Dawn
- Canadians have been breaking their promises to Indigenous people, CBC Docs
- Come Home, a music video created by a group of youth from Adams Lake Indian Band, B.C.
- Decolonization Is for Everyone, Nikki Sanchez, TEDxSFU
- Dismantling to Rebuild: Replacing the Doctrine of Discovery in the 21st Century – Sarah Augustine, SFU Public Square
- Ȟesápa, A LANDBACK Film, NDN Collective
- Indigenous Collection – DVDs & Blu-rays, Vancouver Public Library
- Indigenous Housing: Learning Through Lived Experience 2021 Housing Central Conference Session
- Indigenous Storyteller in Residence 2022 (4 videos), Vancouver Public Library
- Leading Change: Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging 2021 Housing Central Conference Session
- Namwayut: we are all one. Truth and reconciliation in Canada – Chief Robert Joseph, CBC
- ORANGE SHIRT DAY: Every Child Matters “Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation”
- Reconciliation Book Club – Whose Land Is It Anyway? Pam Palmatar
- Territory Acknowledgement Panel Talk, Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology, University of British Columbia | October 18, 2016
- 2019 Award for Cooperative Achievement – Kalso Gardens, CHF Canada
- 2020 Sterling Prize Ceremony and Lecture with Tamara Starblanket, SFU
- We Won’t Forget You, a music video written, recorded and filmed with students from Sk’elep School of Excellence in Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc
- Working for Housing Access: Indigenous Solutions and Leadership, Canadian Urban Institute
Listen
- Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery Podcast
- Everyday Reconciliation, Canada 2020
- First Peoples Lawcast, featuring conversations on the defence of Indigenous rights, First Peoples Law
- Kuper Island, an 8-part CBC podcast hosted by Duncan McCue about one of Canada’s most notorious residential schools
- Land back and the next stage of reconciliation, Bruce McIvor on The Decibel, The Globe and Mail
- Land Back, a CBC British Columbia podcast uncovering land theft in Canada
- Truth and Reconciliation in the Workplace, From Our Vantagepoint
Learn
- Indigenous Canada – Ongoing University of Alberta online course through Coursera
- Reconciliation Through Indigenous Education, a 6-Week Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), UBC Professional Development & Community Engagement
- Indigenous Cultural Competence and Humility – from the Indigenous Reconciliation Group
- Cultural Safety Planning – from Nahanee Creative
Support
- Hope for Wellness Help Line: Online chat or phone line available at 1-855-242-3310
- Kids Help Phone: Online chat or phone line available at 1-800-668-6868
- Family Survivors Circle
- National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ Toll-free Support Phone Line: 1-844-413-6649
- Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419
- Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program
- Indian Residential Schools Survivors Society: 1-800-721-0066 and 24-hour crisis line (1-866-925-4419)
- KUU-US Crisis Line Society’s toll-free, 24-hour Indigenous-specific crisis line (1-800-588-8717)
- First Nations Health Authority’s support for survivors and families who have been directly impacted by the Indian residential school system
Other Resources
- 200 Years of Denial: Johnson v. M’intosh and the Doctrine of Discovery. Bruce McIvor, First Peoples Law,
- Celebrating Indigenous Peoples in Canada: Learning and activity guide, Government of Canada
- Critical Indigenous Research Toolkit (PDF), UBC
- Decolonization & Anti-Racism Research Guide, UBC
- Decolonization is not a metaphor (PDF), Eve Tuck and K. Wayne Yang
- Decolonization Toolkit, Victoria International Development Education Association (VIDEA)
- Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery
- Ethical and Equitable Engagement Synthesis Report (PDF), Inuit Circumpolar Council. A collection of Inuit rules, guidelines, protocols, and values for the engagement of Inuit Communities and Indigenous Knowledge from Across Inuit Nunaat
- For Indigenous,By Indigenous Strategy.
- Guide to Aboriginal Resources in Greater Vancouver, Lu’ma Native Housing Society.
- Indigenous Ally Toolkit (PDF)
- Indigenous Storyteller in Residence, Vancouver Public Library
- June is National Indigenous History Month. So, what’s it all about? (CBC Kids)
- National Indigenous History Month website
- National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, Government of Canada
- Non-Indigenous people — here’s what you can do, right now, IndigiNews
- Reconciliation and Decolonization resources, BCNPHA
- Understanding Indigenous Rights
- Urban, Rural, and Northern Housing Strategy (PDF), AMHA
Organizations
- Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA)
- APTN
- Assembly of First Nations
- BC Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
- BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres
- British Columbia Assembly of First Nations
- Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC)
- IllumiNative
- Indian Residential School Survivors Society
- Indigenous Caucus – Canadian Housing & Renewal Association
- Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
- KAIROS Blanket Exercise
- Métis National Council
- National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC)
- Native Land
- Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs
- University of British Columbia – X̱wi7x̱wa Library
- Yellowhead Institute
This list is not exhaustive. We will also continue to add to it as we become aware of more resources. If you have any suggestions of additional resources, please let us know at communications@chf.bc.ca.