The Professional Governance Act (PGA) requires programs to encourage reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.  

BCIA's Indigenous Peoples cultural awareness courses are offered monthly; however, there are limits on the number of participants for each class.  

The foundational Indigenous Peoples cultural awareness requirement must be completed and declared as part of a Registrant's professional development reports by December 31, 2022 --> extended to April 30, 2023 or the Registrant will be removed from the BCIA Register and will not be able to practice agrology in British Columbia.

• All new articling Registrants with an acceptance date of January 1, 2021, or later must complete a foundational Indigenous awareness course (including the foundational content as outlined by BCIA) as part of their Articling Program.
• Registrants currently on leave are expected to, upon returning back to practicing status, complete and declare the Indigenous training requirement in their PD Report within three months of returning.
• All other Registrants will be required to complete a similar course by December 31, 2022 --> extended to April 30, 2023. BCIA will organize and manage select foundational Indigenous training sessions throughout 2023. BCIA will retroactively accept certain courses taken since January 1, 2019, as meeting this requirement. 

Foundational Indigenous Peoples Awareness Course Criteria

Acceptable foundation courses on Indigenous Awareness should be no less than one-day (6 hours) or a combination that totals 6 hours.  

• Foundational content should include the following:  
  • BC Indigenous history, including residential schools
  • Colonization and its impacts
  • Understanding Indigenous perspectives - racism, misconceptions, cultural safety
  • Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples – respect, protocols, UNDRIP
• The course must provide a certificate of completion or proof of attendance

Registrants who currently work in a position specifically with Indigenous Peoples or training, i.e., Agrologist in Indigenous Peoples Relations, may be granted exemptions. Contact the Deputy Registrar to verify if your work qualifies you for an exemption. 

List of Indigenous Peoples Awareness Training courses available  (under Registrant Resources)

How to declare Indigenous Peoples training for Professional Development  (under Registrant Resources)