Town Councillors have a role to play in working towards Reconciliation.
What is Reconciliation?
Google “Reconciliation” and you will find it defined as “the restoration of friendly relations.”
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) defines reconciliation as an ongoing process of establishing and maintaining respectful relationships.
Reconciliation is an ongoing process that starts with listening and sharing, and ends with taking action in partnership to right historic wrongs.
Ultimately, I agree with Dr. Cindy Blackstock, Executive Director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada when she says that “…reconciliation at its centre is really about, for me, fundamentally two things. It is about respect and it is about love.”
Click here to read more about defining Reconciliation
Do you support the Calls to Action
Yes I do.
There are two specific calls to action that implicate municipal governments:
Call to action #43
“We call upon federal, provincial, territorial, and
municipal governments to fully adopt and implement
the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous Peoples as the framework for reconciliation.
I want to be a lawyer, and there are many Calls to Action that fall to the legal profession to implement. I will do my part to increase my understanding of Indigenous legal traditions and to push for honouring the treaty commitments made between nations.”
And
Call to Action #57
“We call upon federal, provincial, territorial, and
municipal governments to provide education to public
servants on the history of Aboriginal peoples, including
the history and legacy of residential schools, the United
Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,
Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and
Aboriginal–Crown relations. This will require skills-
based training in intercultural competency, conflict
resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.
“
But the role that the Town has goes beyond these two actions.
What would you do on Council to further Reconciliation?
Reconciliation happens in partnership, and I would begin by building a better relationship between Town Council and Petawawa’s Indigenous residents.
Healing and growing start by listening.
I am committed to real consultation, relationship building, and action.
For example: the Town recently missed an opportunity to take action that would have furthered Reconciliation. I want to rename the Baseball field at 1064 Victoria Street to honour Petawawa’s Indigenous heritage.
Read more here:
Algonquin family urges Petawawa to reconsider Indian Diamond Park’s new name