Indigenous Engagement Plan

Northern Development Initiative Trust recognizes that as organization that serves 89 Indigenous governments in its region, developing collaborative relationships with Indigenous, Métis and Inuit communities in the area is a significant step in advancing the principles of Truth and Reconciliation.

The central objective of the Indigenous Engagement Plan is increased Indigenous representation on the Board of Directors and the Regional Advisory Committees (RACs). This is directly related to the Province of B.C.’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan under the fourth theme: Social, cultural and economic well-being.

Action 4.39 states: Work with the Province’s Economic Trusts and First Nation partners to develop a mechanism that ensures inclusion of First Nations at a regional decision-making level.

In order to better achieve this objective, NDIT has established an Indigenous Advisory Committee responsible for outlining options for a revised governance framework for the Trust, inclusive of actions and recommendations on how to improve relationships with Indigenous communities.

The board and staff at Northern Development have outlined five themes to serve as the basis for its Indigenous Engagement Plan:

  • Relationships
  • Communications
  • Governance
  • Programming
  • Education

In keeping with our five themes, specifically programming and communications, Northern Development contracted Two Worlds Consulting (TWC) to complete a review of our website and program materials. TWC provided recommendations on how Northern Development’s web content and resources can be updated to improve the consistency of text, enhance cultural sensitivity, and align more closely with reconciliation principles to better serve our First Nation communities.

Over the next year, Northern Development staff will be working on implementing the recommendations from TWC. As we move through this process, there may be some inconsistencies in language and phrasing between program materials and the website.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at info@northerndevelopment.bc.ca or call our office at 250-561-2525.

Resources

Indigenous Engagement Plan Development  Terms of Reference
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The members of the Indigenous Advisory Committee:

  • Dr. Jessie King, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Indigenous Studies, UNBC
  • Mindy Henyu, Sustainability and Strategic Partnerships Director, Surepoint Group
  • Glen Williams, Leads Hereditary Chiefs office, Gitanyow
  • Laurie Mercer, CAO, Haisla Nation
  • Garry Oker, Councillor and Elder, Doig River First Nation
  • Willie Sellars, Chief, Williams Lake First Nation
  • Gil Malfair, Principal, Malfair Law
  • Helen Knott, Member of Prophet River First Nation
  • Doug Donaldson, Northern Development Board Director (ex-officio)
  • Fred Sam, Northern Development Board Director (ex-officio)
  • Margo Wagner, Northern Development Board Chair (ex-officio)
  • Matthew Kinch,  Executive Director, Regional Economic Initiatives, Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation
  • Davin Greenwell, Director, Regional Economic Initiatives. Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development, and Innovation