About UsTruth & Reconciliation

Truth & Reconciliation

Learn about our multi-year commitment to developing meaningful relationships with Indigenous groups and communities in BC.

Our strategy – a sector first

Understanding, recognizing and appreciating the realities of Indigenous communities in Canada is an important responsibility for all Canadians, new and old. Developed in collaboration with Indigenous advisors, our Truth and Reconciliation Strategy aims for the first time in the settlement sector, to make actionable and accountable steps towards integrating T&R into every level of ISSofBC’s work.

Through this new strategy, we seek to increase understanding and appreciation of Indigenous history, contemporary realities, and their peoples and rights.

The Strategy is based on four themes:
– Partnership
– Respect
– Opportunity
– Leadership.

Within each of these themes are actions, deliverables, timelines, and key performance indicators (KPIs) over three years.

ISSofBC’s Chief Operating Officer, Chris Friesen, is the executive sponsor for the strategy’s development and for its ongoing implementation.

Read the Strategy

Our results

“We commend ISSofBC for recognizing the importance of this work and for their commitment to advancing reconciliation. We are honoured that we were selected to write this strategy in partnership with ISSofBC leadership. Every person in Canada must understand the true history of Canada and the contemporary reality of Indigenous peoples. We look forward to the necessary and meaningful work that ISSofBC will do to inform and empower newcomers to be successful in BC.”

Kory Wilson, Puglid, Kwakwaka’wakw Nation, Consultant
Tami Pierce, Ksi Gwiniitsm, Tsimshian Nation, Consultant

Read our T & R report 2025

Embedding T&R into everything we do

Jonathan Oldman, CEO

“Our work with newcomers to Canada of all types, whether permanent or temporary, provides us with a special opportunity and responsibility to promote, educate, and model the practices of T&R. This strategy represents the next phase of this work, and the commitment of our entire organization to be thoughtful, intentional, and accountable for our development. Like many organizations, we have done some work up to now, but we know this is just the start. We thank everyone who has been part of the work to develop this plan, especially our friends, colleagues, and guides, Kory Wilson and Tami Pierce. Their wisdom and knowledge have been instrumental, though any gaps or shortfalls in this work remain our own. We hold up our hands in gratitude and appreciation.”

Our T & R learning resources for everyone

In 2020, we worked with Kamala Todd to create ‘Welcome to Our Homelands’ (translated into 17 languages) highlighting the diversity and richness of Indigenous culture, history, and Peoples across the land we now know as Canada.

We also developed specialized educational resources so newcomers can learn about Indigenous history and culture. These include our Reconciliation Awareness LINC Lessons (RALL) and ‘Canada: The Rich & Vibrant History of Indigenous Peoples‘

Thank you to Alano Edzerza for creating the artwork used throughout our Truth and Reconciliation Strategy. Alano is a Tahltan multimedia artist and entrepreneur based in West Vancouver, British Columbia.