Reconciliation needs long term funding in Edmonton budget

As the City of Edmonton begins its budget deliberations RISE wants to ensure that reconciliation receives a long term financial commitment. In addition to verbal commitments to reconciliation made by Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson, there needs to be dedicated resources to making it happen, says the organization in an email. The three-year operating budget being considered by council includes $250,000 to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action that are directed at municipalities. However,  an additional request for $558,000 annually has been turned down. “Is piecemeal funding for reconciliation okay with you?” asks RISE. The organization is encouraging people to speak out in a joint effort to “share our message of reconciliation directly with city council” during a public hearing on the budget on Nov. 23. RISE, or Reconciliation in Solidarity Edmonton, is a group of citizens working toward educating and reconciling and making a change in Edmonton.