Today, ahead of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (T&R) and Orange Shirt Day, ISSofBC is releasing our Year Two T&R Report.
September 30 is a day to honour Survivors, remember the children who never returned home, and reflect on the ongoing impacts of residential schools. It is also an opportunity for organizations like ours to be accountable for the commitments we have made and the actions we are taking toward reconciliation
As an organization working alongside newcomers to Canada, we recognize our responsibility to support greater understanding of Indigenous histories, cultures, rights and contemporary realities, while recognizing our role as allies to Indigenous peoples.
Our Year Two report provides an honest look at where we have made progress, where work has been delayed, and where we need to focus our efforts during the final year of our current strategy.
Building understanding through learning
One of the significant achievements this year has been the implementation and continued use of our Indigenous-focused learning resources, including Canada: The Rich & Vibrant History of Indigenous Peoples and the Reconciliation Awareness LINC Lessons (RALL).
Through our LINC English classes and settlement services, these resources enable newcomers to develop a greater understanding of Indigenous peoples and the history and contemporary realities of Canada.
In our LINC classes, 18 teachers used the RALL resources with 433 students across Canadian Language Benchmark levels 1–4. An additional eight instructors reported using other Indigenous-focused resources, reaching approximately 160 students.
Through settlement, approximately 70 staff participated in an Indigenous-led train-the-trainer initiative based on the new curriculum. This built internal capacity to deliver learning across ISSofBC’s locations in ways that respond to different languages and local contexts.
Following the training, frontline staff incorporated Indigenous-focused learning into workshops, community activities and place-based opportunities. In total, 25 workshops and field trips reached 309 newcomers across Vancouver, New Westminster, the Tri-Cities and Maple Ridge.
Learning through relationships and community
T&R is not only about learning; it is also about relationships.
Throughout the year, ISSofBC continued to provide opportunities for staff, volunteers and newcomers to participate in Indigenous-led events, cultural activities, field trips and community learning.
Volunteers, for example, accompanied newcomers to events including National Indigenous Peoples Day activities in Maple Ridge, supporting participants to engage with Indigenous-led booths, cultural activities, Elders and community members.
Through Community Connections activities, volunteers and newcomers also visited the Bill Reid Gallery, creating opportunities to learn about Indigenous art and culture together.
These experiences can support learning in both directions, giving newcomers opportunities to develop their understanding while also enabling staff and volunteers to deepen their own knowledge and reflection.
Understanding where we are
Accountability is an important part of our T&R journey.
For the second year, ISSofBC conducted a staff survey to better understand staff knowledge, participation, and engagement. Of our 355 staff, 129 responded, representing a 36 percent response rate, compared with 34 percent in 2025.
The results show progress in several areas.
96 percent of respondents said they always or often include a land acknowledgement, up from 90 percent in 2025. The proportion who said they always include one increased from 70 percent to 79 percent.
74 percent of respondents reported a moderate to good level of knowledge and understanding of the history of colonization, including the impacts of residential schools and the ongoing work associated with T&R.
75 percent reported a moderate to good understanding of Indigenous peoples in Canada, compared with 72 percent in 2025.
65 percent reported completing at least five hours of Indigenous awareness or T&R training through ISSofBC, other organizations or independently, compared with 61 percent in 2025.
Land acknowledgements also remain widely used, with 79 percent of respondents reporting that they always include one and a further 17 percent saying they do so often.
At the same time, the results identify areas where we need to do more. Time constraints were identified as a significant barrier to participation in Indigenous-led learning, while some staff reported being unaware of opportunities or being new to the organization.
The findings reinforce the importance of making learning accessible, regular, and relevant across different roles and areas of the organization.
Acknowledging the work still ahead
We are also clear about where progress has been slower.
Work to strengthen Indigenous input into organizational policies, recruitment, procurement, volunteer and student opportunities, and governance has not advanced as far as originally intended.
Some of this work has been affected by significant changes across the settlement sector, including changes to immigration levels, funding reductions, and restructuring. These pressures have created competing priorities and affected organizational capacity.
Rather than viewing this as a reason to step away from the work, we see it as an important part of being accountable: recognizing what has not progressed, understanding why, and identifying where we need to focus next.
Looking to Year Three
Our third year will build on the foundations established during Years One and Two.
Key areas of focus will include:
- Increasing staff knowledge through customized T&R professional development
- Co-developing and piloting a newcomer youth T&R curriculum led by an Indigenous Advisor
- Establishing Indigenous input into organizational decision-making at the Board level
- Deepening relationships with Elders to support learning among staff, clients and students
- Continuing to strengthen accountability and transparency through public reporting
Reconciliation is a long-term journey. It requires humility, meaningful relationships, sustained action, and accountability.
We are proud of the progress reflected in this year’s report, while recognizing that progress is only one part of the story. There is more to learn, more relationships to build and more work to do.
We remain committed to continuing that work.
Read the full Year Two Truth & Reconciliation Report
