Guiding recommendations

Recommendation 4: Create education materials and training:

1. For Indigenous Peoples, about the Code and BCHRT processes;
2. Within the BCHRT, to develop cultural competency and safety among BCHRT staff and tribunal members;
3. For the general public, through a proactive campaign to highlight specific areas of discrimination faced by Indigenous Peoples.

Immediate procedural steps

Recommendation 7: Consider these recommendations remedial measures, and implement active and concerted efforts to address the underrepresentation of Indigenous complainants accessing the BCHRT. Create an affirmative access program for Indigenous Peoples.

Public outreach to Indigenous communities

Recommendation 17: Create a public education campaign for Indigenous Peoples which addresses human rights from an Indigenous perspective:

1. Make materials easily accessible at Band offices, Métis organizations, Friendship Centres, Indigenous political organizations, and universities.
2. Emphasize cases where Indigenous individuals have successfully brought human rights claims.

Micro-discriminations

Recommendation 20: The BCHRT, partnering with the Office of the Human Rights Commissioner, should create public education and awareness about micro-discriminations against Indigenous Peoples. The focus of the education would be to bring unconscious and pervasive bias to light so that it can be addressed.

Addressing systemic racism

Recommendation 23: Develop guidelines and education about the intersectional discrimination Indigenous Peoples may face. Intersectional discrimination may be even more difficult to make out, and guidelines and education for how to do this should be provided.

Clarify special exemption

Recommendation 30: Educate employers about s. 42. Education should highlight where a fair consideration of Indigenous applicants (for example, strongly weighing Indigenous knowledge and experience) does not require an exemption.