Calgary issues first-ever year-long proclamation

Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi has proclaimed March 27, 2014-March 27, 2015 as the Year of Reconciliation. It is the first time in the city’s history that a year-long proclamation has been made.

Nenshi’s announcement was made at the final national event of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for Indian Residential Schools held in Edmonton in March. Nenshi had letters of support from Tourism Calgary, the Calgary Stampede and Calgary Economic Development.

The proclamation, which acknowledges the harmful effects of colonization and sets the tone for reconciliation, states, “Whereas:  The first European settlers did not honour the unique culture of our Aboriginal ancestors. Aboriginal people were isolated from their traditional and spiritual ways. This is exemplified by the many thousands of Aboriginal children who were forcibly removed from their homes and taken to residential schools, but is also evident in many other examples of disenfranchisement.”

In addressing those gathered in Edmonton, Nenshi said it was “deeply humbling” to be there and to listen to the stories. He noted that in the last few weeks the city of Calgary had finalized an agreement with Tsuu T’ina to service the Nation with water and waste water infrastructure.

“Why is this important to me? It’s important to me because since I’ve been mayor, I’ve said in our own small way the city of Calgary would be part of the solution to the scandal of the lack of fresh clean drinking water on reserves in this country,” said Nenshi.

It is this kind of leadership that Lorna Crowshoe, issue strategist, research and planning, Community and Neighbourhood Services with the city believes that Calgary can exhibit for other cities.
“This is an opportunity for dialogue and an opportunity for greater understanding of local Aboriginal history, a time when we can educate people. We need to acknowledge those residential schools and acknowledge this tragic history, by reconciling and moving on,” she said, pointing out that the proclamation brings the discussion, which many people don’t know and understand, to the forefront.

Echoing the Deputy Minister’s remarks, she added, “We need to understand the history, and we need to understand the treaties.”
For Crowshoe, reconciliation is about healing and looking at the many opportunities for healing that will enable Aboriginal people to reclaim their cultural identity.

“First and foremost, healing involves introducing the culture, language and customs back to the community,” she said.

Crowshoe also sees the Year of Reconciliation as offering a new beginning.

“I work downtown,” she said. “I see our people downtown, know where they have come from. They are people who’ve never had the opportunity to come to a place to start healing. There are really simple things people can do,  including expressing empathy and understanding.”

The city will continue the work it has started through the four key initiatives of the Listening Circles of the Calgary Urban Aboriginal Initiative, the Calgary Aboriginal Urban Affairs Committee, the imagineCalgary Plan , and the Calgary Poverty Reduction Initiative.

“There is lots of activity in Calgary,” said Crowshoe. “Calgary is doing some phenomenal things.”

She cites the two Reconciliation Canada events that will be hosted in the city, Aboriginal Awareness week which runs from June 15-21, and the Making of Treaty 7, a unique interactive project that was launched at Fort Calgary followed by a second production at Heritage Park. The third presentation of Making Treaty 7 will be held in mid-September at Heritage Park to coincide with the original signing of Treaty 7 at Blackfoot Crossing.

It is Crowshoe’s hope that Making Treaty 7 will go on the road as a production that other cities can take on for Canada’s 150th birthday.