SUILC Report

SUILC UNDRIP Implementation Report

SUILC are a coalition of organizations that are working hard to give voice to the more than 13,000 Indigenous people that live and work in Surrey. One of our core values is to respect the political autonomy of the Coast Salish First Nations in Surrey. In practice, this means that we do not represent local land-based First Nations and we are careful to not speak on their behalf. Given this, it is not SUILC’s place as a coalition to comment on the legal or political nature of reconciliation; nor the specific ways the Declaration Act Action Plan should mediate relationships between the province and Indigenous nations. Having said that, the SUILC does have certain perspectives that we hope are considered in this important work. It is our sincere hope that the implementation of UNDRIP contributes in some way to the realization of our vision for Surrey.

We are cautiously optimistic that the Declaration Act is a step in the right direction. Why? Because we believe that implementing the UNDRIP in B.C. is about ending discrimination, upholding basic human rights, and ensuring more economic justice and fairness.

This submission outlines the priorities and aspirations of the Surrey urban Indigenous community. It is our hope that these voices might inform the development of the Declaration Act Action Plan.

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All Our Relations: Honouring the Host Nations

Surrey Urban Indigenous Leadership Committee's work takes place on the traditional territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the Katize, Kwantlen, and Semiahmoo First Nations. We recognize their connection to this land and acknowledge that we are newcomers to Surrey like everyone else. Our group, the Surrey Urban Indigenous Leadership Committee does not represent these land-based First Nations and we are careful not to speak on their behalf. Instead, we represent urban Indigenous people that have moved here from all over BC and Canada to make Surrey their home. Our focus is making Surrey a great place for Indigenous people living in the city — regardless of where they come from, their legal status, or their particular culture heritage. As we do this, we endeavour to live in a good way with the land-based First Nations that have called this land their home since time immemorial.