For many years, Vantage Point has been committed to learning, listening, and taking action in support of Truth and Reconciliation.
As a settler-led organization working to strengthen British Columbia's non-profit sector, we recognize that reconciliation is not a destination. It is an ongoing responsibility that requires humility, reflection, relationship-building, and a willingness to continually learn and evolve.
Our journey began over a decade ago.
Over the years, our staff, board, and volunteers have participated in learning opportunities, conversations, and partnerships that have deepened our understanding of Indigenous histories, perspectives, and experiences. We engaged with organizations such as Reconciliation Canada and participated in training and learning opportunities led by Indigenous facilitators, including Nahanee Creative. These experiences challenged us to examine our assumptions, better understand the impacts of colonialism, and consider our place in decolonization, and the role non-profit organizations can play in advancing reconciliation.
As our understanding grew, we recognized the importance of publicly affirming our commitment. In 2021, we released a statement that articulated our dedication to Truth and Reconciliation and provided a foundation that has guided our work for many years. That commitment has continued to influence how we approach our programs, partnerships, governance, and our role within the sector.
More recently, we wanted to deepen our understanding of how Vantage Point could more tangibly and meaningfully contribute to collective efforts related to Truth and Reconciliation.
To support this work, we undertook a comprehensive review of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). We explored where our work intersects with these frameworks and considered how we can continue supporting positive change through the training, resources, convening opportunities, research, and advocacy we provide to non-profits across British Columbia.
Throughout this process, one question continued to surface:
What do we mean when we, at Vantage Point, use the word "decolonization"?
We encountered many different interpretations of the term. While these perspectives offered valuable insights, we also experienced uncertainty and ambiguity about how the concept applied within our organizational context.
We recognized that if we were going to speak about decolonization, we needed to be clear about what we meant, how it connects to our work, and how we would hold ourselves accountable. Rather than relying on broad or undefined language, we wanted to develop a shared understanding that reflects our role, values, and responsibilities.
In September 2025, we began working with Indigenous Perspectives Society to support this work. Over the following months, our staff and board participated in thoughtful discussions, reflection, and learning to develop a definition rooted in Vantage Point's context and informed by Indigenous guidance.
The resulting definition is not an endpoint. It is a foundation that will help guide our future decisions, priorities, and accountability.
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What Decolonization Means To Us
Vantage Point is a settler-led organization located on the unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxw?7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓?lwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples – our work spans across the territories of more than 200 distinct First Nations in BC. We recognize that we operate within colonial structures, including the BC Societies Act. We know that we have privilege and responsibility as a settler-led organization and commit to examining and disrupting, where possible, colonial patterns in the non-profit sector.
Decolonization has different contexts locally and globally.
For Vantage Point, our scope is provincial, and our definition of decolonization relates to Canada and British Columbia. We understand that decolonization is the framework of acknowledging and addressing the oppression and subjugation of First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities in what is now known as British Columbia, and unlearning colonial ways of thinking and being. Decolonization relates to Indigenous sovereignty, land, culture, practices, knowledge, and self-determination. It includes a perspective that centers both land-based and urban Indigenous peoples.
For us, decolonization is an ongoing process that begins with learning and amplifying truth about Indigenous history, grows through reciprocal relationships, and includes systemic change related to the non-profit sector. It is about understanding power and looking at where power can be shared.
We are committed to:
- amplifying Indigenous voices, knowledge, and leadership across the sector,
- clarifying what it means to decolonize our work in practice, and
- influencing meaningful change in our spheres of influence
Our work related to decolonization will be guided by our organizational values of relational partnerships, creativity, knowledge connection, equity, collective learning, and responsive service.
Decolonization is a long-term journey of learning, accountability, humility, and relationship-building. We are grateful to work with Indigenous and non-Indigenous members, partners, and the broader non-profit sector in this shared responsibility.
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Looking Ahead
We know there is still much to learn.
This definition does not represent the completion of our work. Rather, it provides a shared foundation for how we understand our role and responsibilities as we continue our Truth and Reconciliation journey.
As we move forward, we remain committed to listening, learning, building relationships, and taking meaningful action. We believe that a stronger, more connected non-profit sector requires ongoing reflection about the systems we operate within and the opportunities we have to contribute to positive change.
We are grateful to everyone who has supported our learning over the years and to the Indigenous leaders, organizations, partners, and community members who continue to share their knowledge, perspectives, and guidance.
Our journey continues, and we remain committed to walking that path with humility, accountability, and care.