The Law Foundation of BC is committed to decolonizing its practices and working toward anti-racist outcomes. As an organization situated on the traditional, unceded lands of the xwməθkwəýəm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and Səĺílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, the Foundation has an extraordinary duty to build good relationships with, and actualize its responsibility toward Indigenous peoples in British Columbia.
The Foundation’s new strategic plan commits the Foundation to “Lifting up Indigenous Justice Revitalization and Justice System Transformation” through grants and work supporting Indigenous legal orders and initiatives that address the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Calls for Justice and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act — as prioritized by Indigenous communities.”
As an important part of existing efforts to support the advancement of Indigenous justice, the Foundation established an Indigenous Advisory Circle (IAC) for the first time in its history, as an important step in taking accountability, walking alongside and seeking with humility, guidance from Indigenous community members on the Foundation’s transformative work ahead. The IAC mandate is to advise the Foundation on any of its work and particularly that which has a pronounced impact on Indigenous peoples and communities. The IAC will guide the Foundation in its efforts to build a renewed relationship with Indigenous peoples in a way that is respectful, reciprocal, accountable and trust-based.
An inaugural two-day meeting of the Indigenous Advisory Circle took place this past September, creating space for dialogue that centers Indigenous peoples and their values at every step, in order to contribute to important reforms within the Foundation so that it can be in right relationship with the Indigenous peoples on whose traditional lands the Foundation operates.
To learn more about the Indigenous Advisory Circle and the current Advisors, please click here.