OVERVIEW

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OVERVIEW The UNNS is facilitating and providing
political leadership in Tripartite
Self-Governance Negotiations with the Government
of Canada - Privy Council Office (PCO), and the
Government of British Columbia - (MCAWS). An
Agreement-in-Principle has been reached on a
Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and
is as follows To reach agreements to strengthen
the self-sustaining capacity of Aboriginal
individuals, families and communities, and for
the development and coordination of policies to
bring decision-making respecting the design and
delivery of public services closer to Aboriginal
families and arrangements for the delivery of
programs and services to communities that receive
such benefits. The Tripartite Self-Governance
Council (TSGC) was formed in 2002/2003 to address
the inherent right to self-governance and improve
the quality of life for Aboriginal people in
urban, rural and remote off-reserve communities
within British Columbia.
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The tripartite process formed an MOU and
identified the need for the research and
development of 2-3 models of urban
self-governance that are community driven and
represents input and equal access to the process
from communities within British Columbia,
Vancouver and Lower Mainland. The primary goal
of TSGC is to design, produce and present 2-3
urban self-governance models and subsequently
condense them into one for presentation to UNNS
Board of Directors and the provincial and federal
governments. This will be realized through
coordinating and facilitating collaborative
meetings throughout British Columbia, including
Main Table and Round Table platforms at regional
and local levels with direct participation and
input from designated regions and their
constituents. The Main Table consists of a
Principal Group of TSGC delegates representing
various regions, agencies, specific groups and
communities throughout British Columbia. They are
assembled in an organized committee and are
guided by the tripartite process outlined in the
Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
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Main Table Delegates meet quarterly and carry out
business relating to the research and development
of the scope for the TSGC project, including
purpose, vision, strategic planning,
implementation and deployment. The Round Table
consists of a Secondary Group of TSGC delegates
representing various regions, agencies, specific
groups and communities throughout British
Columbia. They are assembled in an organized
sub-committee and are guided by the tripartite
process outlined in the Tripartite Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU). The Round Table delegates
meet quarterly with approximately 5 additional
meetings per round table. Round Tables include
Health, Housing Homelessness, Children
Family, Education, Employment Training and
Justice.
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MAIN TABLE MEETING Through the efforts of the
TSGC, a Main Table Meeting was achieved on
Wednesday December 15th, 2004 at the Chateau
Granville with a commitment to an all day meeting
with delegates and participants. Given the
existing attitude of uncertainty from the
community and the busy schedules that exist
during this time of year, it was as a result of
the hard work demonstrated by staff that this was
accomplished. It was also through perseverance
to meet with individual delegates and initiate
meetings with potential new ones, prior to
securing the Main Table date that this came to
fruition in such a stringent time frame. The
meeting was extremely positive and the groundwork
discussion and input into the work necessary to
achieve tangible and specific goals by March
31st, 2004 were identified and committed to by
pertinent delegates and potential ones were
identified to secure for the next Main Table
Meeting in three months.
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This particular Main Table Meeting was of
critical importance given that there was not
consistency with previous TSGC activity and
limited success in hosting regular Main and Round
Table Meetings. As there have been many changes
within UNN staff and the community itself, there
is a consensus that this is an excellent
opportunity to unify this process and embrace and
engage the community representation at the table
and ensure that the people they are meeting and
working with at the TSGC will remain consistent
and that their input is of value and will impact
the process. There were 25 participants in
total not including TSGC staff and the President,
which given the time of year of mid-December, was
very encouraging and inspiring for the TSGC and
the UNN.
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ROUND TABLES There will be two Round Table
meetings per year per table, which essentially
schedules one Round Table Meeting per month with
continued support from TSGC staff to meet in
addition with individual delegates where
appropriate and needed to maintain effective
community capacity development. During this
process, the issue of a signed MOU with each
respective delegate will also be discussed and
outcomes determined in reference to this
issue. Round Table sessions in the area of
Health will take place in April 2005. With the
team fully on board by March 2005, the Tripartite
Self-Governance Initiative is expected to be in
full swing by late April 2005, and each Round
table will be strengthened with capable
Tripartite staff support and facilitation.
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UNNS TSGC WORK PLAN Objectives Engage in
appropriate liaison and dialogue with government
and non-government organizations (NGOs) when
necessary to ensure that the issues and
challenges affecting Aboriginal peoples in urban,
rural and remote off-reserve communities are
raised and addressed. Raise awareness and
understanding of issues and challenges facing
Aboriginal peoples in urban, rural and remote
off-reserve communities and external parties
(i.e. governments and non-aboriginal
organizations). Continue to develop affective
mechanisms for UNN to address issues faced by the
urban, rural and remote off-reserve Aboriginal
communities in BC. Ensure UNN Tripartite
Self-Governance Council involvement/consultation
in developing new or amending existing policy for
urban, rural and remote off-reserve Aboriginal
population in BC.
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Provide appropriate support and facilitation for
establishment of Community Capacity Development
(CCD) Pilot Project in 4 locations. (Note the
successful achievement of this project depend on
adequate funding) Provide ongoing support to
facilitate governance-related initiatives. Expan
d membership base of TSGC. Facilitate and
support the capacity of Aboriginal Womens
organization to participate in governance
initiatives. Provide appropriate support and
facilitation for the development of 1-2 proposals
to address the health issues and priorities at
the community level. Negotiate a MOU with
Health Canada. Facilitate the development of
1-2 innovative programs or projects in the
justice sector.
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Facilitate the establishment of a Gladue
(Aboriginal Person) Court in the Greater
Vancouver Regional District (GVRD). Provide
appropriate support and facilitation for the
development of a proposal to address the housing
and/or homelessness issues and priorities at the
community level. Participate in the opening of
Human Resources Skills Development (HRSD)
Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy.
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CONCLUSION In a very short time period, there
has been considerable work and achievement
demonstrated from the TSGC. The transition from
previous staff and the dormant time frame of
activity has, at times, been a challenge to
address but one that has nonetheless been dealt
with and clarified with assurances acknowledged
to the community and its representatives and
membership. The meaningful dialogue exchanged
from the meeting initiatives undertaken with
community partners bodes well with relationship
building and maintenance and will without doubt
lead to impact positive change and forge cohesion
and unity with Aboriginal organizations and the
people within. The expertise represented at the
Main Table is impressive and these relationships
must be supported and nurtured on an on-going and
consistent basis to ensure commitment and the
extensive work required in the time ahead from
the delegates.
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There is a definite feeling of optimism and
positive determination during this very exciting
time to achieve these attainable goals through a
concentrated effort of hard work, focus and unity
and on an on going basis to ensure to those who
we work on behalf of, our commitment and
dedication. The commitment attained from the
Main Table community representation has
reinforced the ability and fortitude of the UNN
with the TSGC staff to advance with the direction
and guidance of the Aboriginal communities to
develop and direct a successful Tripartite
Self-Governance process that will ultimately lead
to the implementation of a carefully planned and
community driven self-governance model. Though
a committed process of engaging in systematic and
proactive community consultation,
relationship-building, information sharing and
expertise contribution, the TSGC will develop a
clear purpose, vision, strategy and
implementation process to reach the goal of an
endorsed model of Self-Governance.