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Joint Indigenous and Local Government Initiatives and Relations
| A collection of resources related to initiatives, agreements, arrangements, partnerships, and the provision of services between Indigenous governments and organizations, and local governments in British Columbia. |  Service Partner |
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Victoria's $200,000 grant is a 'tangible step' toward reconciliation, First Nations say
Councillors approved a $200,000 grant to the nations to demonstrate the city’s commitment to reconciliation as part of the 2023 budget process. The same amount is to be allocated annually in the draft financial plan for consideration by the next council, to be elected in October, as part of a five-year pilot project.
The leadership of both nations said in a joint statement they hope the initiative sets a precedent for other municipalities.
Ry Moran, the University of Victoria’s associate university librarian for reconciliation, said Indigenous peoples have been very clear about the need for more help and less control and interference.
“Done well, this absolutely has the potential to exhibit strong leadership for other communities across the country to figure out how to be in good relationship with our neighbours,” said Moran, who served as director of statement-gathering at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and director of the National Centre of Truth and Reconciliation before coming to UVic.
The primary work of reconciliation is building mutually respectful relationships and rectifying past inequalities, he said, and it’s incumbent on all organizations and levels of government to think about what they can offer.