Through the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, the Province has adopted a distinctions-based approach to relationships with Indigenous Peoples (First Nation, Métis and Inuit) to advance reconciliation.
This means BC’s relations and dealings with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit will be conducted in a manner that is appropriate for the specific context, recognizing and respecting the distinct and different histories, rights, laws, legal systems, and systems of governance of each. Indigenous Peoples' rights are recognized and affirmed in Section 35 of the Federal Constitution Act, 1982, however, not all rights are uniform or the same. The Province recognizes this diversity and, its relationships and engagement with First Nations, Métis and Inuit will include different approaches and result in different outcomes.
To help build an understanding of the approach and the legal basis for it, the provincial government released a Distinctions-Based Approach Primer. The Primer is intended to guide provincial government staff when engaging and making decisions about the Province’s relationships, with Indigenous Peoples.
For more information, please visit the Province’s Distinctions-based Approach website.