June is National Indigenous History Month, and June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. As we recognize and celebrate the richness and diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis history and culture, this is a good opportunity to update what the CRT is doing to further our commitment to reconciliation.
In March 2021, the CRT released its Reconcili(action) Plan. This document sets out the CRT’s commitment to implementing specific, measurable, and timely actions toward reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. The Plan has 42 action items that the CRT is committed to perform, and we have made significant progress on many of those items. This year, we are focusing in particular on action items 10 and 28:
10. The CRT is committed to addressing barriers that Indigenous peoples may face when accessing the CRT process and forms. The CRT will ensure that its website and technology platforms are optimized for smartphones and other devices and provide a paper process as an alternative.
28. The CRT will include Indigenous voices, culture, perspectives, and knowledge in the development of CRT policies, processes, and services. This may be done through consultation with Indigenous and advocacy organizations.
This spring, the CRT brought together members of local Indigenous communities to form a Community Advisory Council (CAC). The members of the CAC include legal experts and educators who are experienced in advising governmental organizations or First Nations governments. We have asked them to review the CRT’s dispute resolution process from beginning to end, identify barriers for Indigenous participants, and guide us in better supporting them. We also want to make sure Indigenous communities are aware of the services the CRT offers. So, we have asked the CAC to help us find ways to let everyone, even those in the most remote areas, know we’re here.
The CAC members are part of the Nisga’a, Namgis Kwakwaka’wakw, Hagwilget Village, Lheidli T’enneh, Dene, and Métis Nations.
We recognize that reconciliation isn’t just the completion of a few actions. It’s a journey, and we have just begun learning about it. If you are Indigenous and have ideas or feedback that can help us in that journey, please contact us.
Artwork by Clayton Gauthier from the Nak’azdli First Nation. The CRT would like to thank Clayton for the gift of using his artwork in relation to the Reconcili(action) Plan. “Salmon’s Prayer” honours the connection that Indigenous peoples have with the land and water and share with all peoples.