Purpose: Why Reconciliation is Important for the Legislative Assembly
In recent years, the Legislative Assembly made a commitment to establish respectful relationships with Indigenous Peoples and to work towards reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in Victoria and throughout British Columbia. Significant engagement and outreach to First Nations and Metis communities is the ongoing foundation of this work. While the executive branch of government leads on priorities such as nation-to-nation negotiations regarding land, title, economic development and treaty making, as a representative democratic institution, the Legislative Assembly has its own, important role to play in reconciliation.
Historic records demonstrate the evolving relationships with Indigenous Peoples since 1872. In May 2024, alongside its first Reconciliation Action Plan, the Legislative Assembly released a historical research publication, “First Nations and the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia: A Record of Historic Actions, Decisions, and Statements in Legislative Proceedings, 1872-1972.” This publication includes 874 records that document historic debates and decisions related to First Nations during the first 100 years of the Legislative Assembly.
Building trust, developing relationships and ensuring that Indigenous Peoples feel included in and represented by the Legislative Assembly, through reconciliation efforts, is a key component of the Legislative Assembly’s role as a representative democratic institution.
The Journey So Far
The Legislative Assembly’s work with its Indigenous partners seeks to incorporate Indigenous cultures and represent the diversity of this province throughout the Legislative Precinct. Several Indigenous objects and pieces of artwork are displayed in the Parliament Buildings, including a hand-carved red cedar canoe, a woven Salish Blanket, traditional Talking Stick, and prominent Lekwungen-language signage installed in front of the Parliament Buildings.
In recent years, the Legislative Assembly has also been honoured to receive ceremonial blessings from Elders from the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations at the opening of new Sessions of Parliament. At the opening of the 5th session of the 42nd Parliament, the Vice-Regal Procession entered the Chamber accompanied by Lekwungen Traditional Singers and Dancers, weaving, for the first time, Indigenous and non-Indigenous customs and symbolism into our existing parliamentary traditions.
The Reconciliation Action Plan: An Overview
In May 2024, the Legislative Assembly released its first Reconciliation Action Plan, which sets out commitments that will guide the institution’s reconciliation work for the next four years. The Plan is the result of extensive engagement, externally with Indigenous leaders from across the province, and internally with Members and staff of the Legislative Assembly, led by the Speaker of the 42nd Parliament on behalf of the Legislative Assembly.
The Reconciliation Action Plan is a living document and outlines the importance of reconciliation and representation as a democratic institution. Building a new relationship with Indigenous Peoples is the foundation that guides the implementation of this Reconciliation Action Plan. The plan identifies five commitment areas: understanding, education, inclusion, representation and commemoration. Members and caucuses will continue to be engaged on the implementation of the actions.
For more information or to get involved, please visit the Reconciliation page on the Legislative Assembly’s website or contact the Office of the Clerk at officeoftheclerk@leg.bc.ca.