Council to examine best way to commemorate TRC-hosted event

Words have to be followed by action. Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson made that clear to a room full of residential schools survivors, their families and others in the Delta Hotel in Ottawa at the closing event of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

He underscored his point when he placed a declaration of action into the Bentwood Box as an act of reconciliation on behalf of the Big City Mayors caucus of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. The caucus represents 21 cities, which collectively hold half of the country’s population.

States the declaration, in part, “Today we declare that Canada’s big city mayors commit themselves to learning from the lessons of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and taking action to ensure the needs and aspirations of Aboriginal people are fully acknowledged in policy, and in the great cities we seek to build. We stand together today in committing to a new equal partnership with Aboriginal people in Canada; one based on truth, dignity, and mutual respect.”

Iveson says the mayors of the largest cities in Canada have come to recognize both the challenges and opportunities in “directing positive changes in our communities.” And Edmonton, with the second largest urban Aboriginal population, plans to lead.

“Working together we can show the way for a new vision of a Canadian city, one that lives and breathes the treaty spirit, the spirit of respect and shared prosperity,” he said.

In March 2014, Iveson was inducted as an honourary witness when Edmonton hosted the TRC’s final national event.

“That proved to be a transformative experience for our city,” said Iveson. “(The survivors’) stories were difficult to listen to but it was time for Canada and the world to hear them.”

Edmonton declared 2014 as a Year of Reconciliation.

“That announcement kick-started our journey of building trust and human relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people,” said Iveson, who admitted that building those bridges will take longer than a year.

But in that time frame, the city undertook a number of steps to promote reconciliation. Workplace learning, which includes an understanding of Aboriginal culture, history and residential schools, has been imparted on the city’s 11,000 employees. Ceremonial spaces are in the process of being developed within Edmonton, in places culturally significant to the urban Aboriginal population. A youth leadership conference, which included intercultural dialogue and future direction for the city, was held in March. In April, the Walrus Talks: An Aboriginal City was hosted. In May, a symposium focusing on western Canadian Aboriginal arts took place. The Treaty 6 flag flies at City Hall and there is verbal recognition at events that Edmonton is part of Treaty 6 territory.

Now, council is considering the results of an on-line survey that asked respondents to comment on a way to commemorate the Edmonton-hosted TRC event. The survey solicited 91 responses, 36 per cent of which came from people who self-identified as Aboriginal. Eighty-nine per cent were in favour of commemorating the event. Those not in favour expressed concern that such a commemoration may be an indication that reconciliation had been reached. Respondents indicated that residential schools survivors and Elders were the most relevant group to be engaged and such engagement needed to be carried out in a culturally-appropriate manner.

Photo caption: On June 2, in Ottawa, Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson, on behalf of the Big City Mayors, placed a Declaration of Action into the Bentwood Box, as an act of reconciliation at the closing event for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.