Reconciliation

Truth is about our past and our present; reconciliation is the story of our future.

Both within our organization and in our work with members, CHF BC is committed to Indigenous truth, reconciliation and decolonization. This work will necessarily be built on a commitment to learning and action based on justice, respect, and equality.

Territorial Acknowledgement

We at the Co-operative Housing Federation of British Columbia (CHF BC) acknowledge and pay our respect to the Indigenous keepers of the traditional and unceded lands upon which our office and many housing co-operatives are situated: the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), sʔəl̀ilwətaʔɬ, (Tsleil-Waututh), WSÁNEĆ (Saanich), and lək̓ʷəŋən (Lekwungen)-speaking Peoples.

Unceded means they were never signed over through treaty rights, and still rightfully belong to the nations who have stewarded them since time immemorial. We acknowledge the impact of colonialism and that our presence here today was paved through a system of discriminatory and racist practices. We are committed to honoring, listening, and continuously learning from the diverse perspectives of these and other Indigenous Peoples.

Your home, work, or co-op may be located on different territories. Native Land Digital is a tool to help you look up the history and territories of your location.

Our Commitment

Across all of our strategic priorities is a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and meaningful reconciliation.

We recognize that fostering an equitable environment is essential to the success and sustainability of co-operative housing.

CHF BC is dedicated to the principles of anti-racism and an end to racial discrimination. While some progress has been made, Indigenous peoples in Canada still face racism and discrimination every day.

Lasting change requires an ongoing commitment to learning and action based on justice, respect, and equality.

We are also committed to amplifying the voices of our members, friends, and partners so that inclusivity becomes the norm in our world. We aim to inspire housing co-ops to be communities that promote and embody equitable access, opportunity, respect, and a sense of belonging for everyone.

We are committed to reconciliation as an ongoing responsibility, not a symbolic gesture. This means building respectful, long-term relationships with Indigenous partners, supporting Indigenous-led housing solutions, and working to remove barriers within our own programs and practices. We will continue to listen, learn, and take action to ensure that co-operative housing contributes to a more just, inclusive, and self-determined future for Indigenous peoples.