INDIGENOUS RECONCILIATION

Indigenous Reconciliation Statement

arc programs upholds a commitment to Indigenous Truth and Reconciliation. We are dedicated to supporting Indigenous children, youth, and families in our communities. We strive to create equitable and inclusive spaces for Indigenous staff, partners, and community members, to demand an end to the systemic inequities faced by Indigenous communities, and to emphasize the inherent strengths, knowledge and wisdom that resides in Indigenous communities. We commit to Transformative Reconciliation work through our actions and engagement.

The following APPF values underlie how we should endeavor to engage with individuals, families/caregivers, communities, cultures and service providers, and are fundamental to all aspects of the planning and provision of services: Respect, Inclusion, Truth Telling, Wisdom, and Belonging.

The framework’s model for restorative policy and practice is Child, Youth, Family and Community-Centred; Culture-Centred; Inclusive, Collaborative and Accountable; and focused on Resilience, Wellness and Healing.

In this framework, the Circle process is represented by a series of interconnected circles: Gathering the Circle; Listening/Assessing and Finding Solutions; Creating Security, Belonging, and Well-Being; and Keeping the Circle Strong. These circles centre on Indigenous children, youth, and families.

APPF Reflection Statement: Restorative approaches to practice require professional and personal reflection, and a practitioner’s commitment to exploring and building Cultural Agility.

Restorative approaches to practice require continued involvement of children, youth, family, and community in planning.

Restorative approaches to practice require a practitioner to engage and explore the cultural diversity of individual Indigenous communities.

Reference: The following content is attributed to the Aboriginal Policy and Practice Framework (APPF) applies to all policy and practice involving Indigenous children, youth and families in British Columbia, living on reserve or in urban communities, who receive services from a ICFSA or (MCFD)

Actions and Engagement

We believe that staff need to be aware of the collective impact that intergenerational trauma continues to have on Indigenous children, youth, and families. We work collaboratively towards equitable, accessible, and culturally relevant and responsive services for Indigenous children, youth, and families.
We acknowledge that Indigenous peoples were subject to policies of forced assimilation and cultural genocide and that systemic racism still exists today. We believe our staff need to be aware of the collective impact that intergenerational trauma continues to have on Indigenous children, youth, and families.
We all need to learn and understand our shared history in a way that moves us towards a stronger and healthier future, with relationships rooted in mutual understanding and respect.
arc programs seek meaningful engagement and sustained relationships with Indigenous communities and organizations, based on equality, good faith, and mutual respect (TRC Call to Action 66).
We are guided by the BC Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which establishes the individual and collective rights of Indigenous peoples and protects them from discriminatory policies and practices.