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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