Our work takes place across the unceded lands of over 200 First Nations whose territories are currently occupied by the province of “British Columbia,” and in multiple regions across Turtle Island. We are committed to respectfully developing relationships with Indigenous peoples, communities, and Nations in the areas in which we work.
We recognize that the health and social wellness of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples are inextricably linked to colonizers forcibly rupturing Indigenous peoples’ relationships with their traditional territories that were established long before the arrival of non-Indigenous people on Turtle Island. We know that some First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people that live in BC reside here as a result of forced displacement through child welfare, correctional, and other institutions that disproportionately affect Indigenous children and adults.
We know that Indigenous people and communities are disproportionately impacted by HIV, hepatitis C and overdose harms, due to the intergenerational impact of the residential school system, as well as racism and colonial violence perpetrated within child welfare, the health care system, corrections, law enforcement and other institutions that continues to this day.
We are committed to illuminating the truths about colonialism and taking action toward Canada’s restitution to Indigenous peoples which is prerequisite to any future reconciliation. Our work to strengthen BC’s collective action on HIV, hepatitis C and harm reduction encompasses responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), enacted at the federal and provincial levels in 2021 and 2019, respectively. While the TRC’s Calls to Action and UNDRIP is directed towards federal and provincial government bodies, we believe that community-based organizations like PAN are also accountable to them.
Our work, directly and through intersectionality, addresses the following points drawn from the TRC Calls to Action and United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP):
Truth and Reconcilation Calls to Action
- Call 18 (addressing health inequities experienced by Indigenous people as a result of colonization and specifically residential schools);
- Call 19 (looking at health indicators related to mental health, substance use, and chronic diseases);
- Call 22 (understanding the importance of Indigenous healing practices);
- Calls 34-36 (addressing determinants of health and inequities in correctional situations).
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)
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- Articles 3 and 4 (rights to self-determination, governance, and autonomy)
- Articles 18 and 23 (representation in decision-making, including health, housing and economic programs)
- Article 24 (access to all health services, and to traditional medical practices)
- Article 26 (access and control of traditional lands)
- Article 35 (right to determine individual obligations to their communities)
As inhabitants of a colonial settler state, the people that make up PAN’s staff, board, member organizations, and service populations all have active relationships to the ongoing colonization and racism against Indigenous peoples. PAN staff and board recognize that our operations are never politically neutral with respect to colonialism, and a core approach of our work is dedication to ongoing unlearning, listening, and acting as accomplices toward Indigenous resurgence. This includes respect, support and accountability to Indigenous people who are subjected to ongoing discrimination and racism. We also acknowledge we will make mistakes as we unlearn the roots and norms of colonialism.