Friendship Accord strengthens relationship between jurisdictions

Sawridge Chief Roland Twinn is confident that a friendship accord struck between his First Nation and two neighbouring municipalities is the direction relations need to go for shared success.

The accord, signed in May between Sawridge First Nation, the town of Slave Lake and Municipal District of Lesser Slave River, is a continuation of work undertaken in the past three years since the devastating fire in the region in May 2011. While Sawridge First Nation suffered no structural damages or deaths, about one-third of Slave Lake was wiped out.

“That was the first time a First Nation has been so directly involved in such a huge endeavour … and we actually had a say in that as a First Nation,” said Twinn. “I think that’s where we should all be looking to go in the future.”

Sawridge, Slave Lake and the MD received $10 million to dig themselves out of fire devastation. They signed an agreement in 2011 which formed the Lesser Slave Lake Regional Tri-Council. With funding for the tri-council coming to an end in March of 2014, Sawridge and the two municipalities examined other options for funding in order to continue the work and the partnership that had begun.

“We thought this was working so good we thought we’d like to go beyond the recovery phase,” said Twinn.

They received funding through the Community Economic Development Initiative led by Cando and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

By working together in partnership, Twinn says Sawridge First Nation gets an understanding of the town’s and MD’s needs and the two municipalities “get in touch with our struggles.” Among those struggles, he notes, is having to juggle funding and approval from both the federal and provincial governments. He adds that with the federal government downloading services to the provinces and the provinces in turn downloading to municipalities, it only makes sense that First Nations forge strong relationships with their neighbouring municipalities.

“The best way to work together is through good relations. This just reaffirms that we decided as the three councils to work together and we will continue working with the consensus model, which kind of breaks that ‘this side-that side’ kind of an issue,” said Twinn.

“This solidifies the relationship that was already going on with the three jurisdictions. They really wanted to showcase that we were looking to move the region forward as one,” said Kim Dyke, regional economic development officer with Slave Lake regional tri-council.

According to the document signed by the three jurisdictions during a round dance hosted by the Sawridge First Nation at the Multi-Rec Centre in Slave Lake, on May 10, the accord “provides the framework upon which The Communities, including their respective governments and residents, will collaborate with one another; and this principle-based Friendship Accord establishes commitments to make the Slave Lake Region a better place for all residents and visitors.”

What is significant about the accord, says Dyke, is the decision to work together in friendship and not primarily for economic benefits.

The signatories of the accord will meet at least quarterly and like the tri-council, decisions will be reached through consensus, says Dyke. Working groups could be established if needed.

Outlined by the friendship accord, the three jurisdictions, “commit to open, frank, honest and straightforward interaction and communication; and commit to building and maintaining strong mutual trust and respect with one another.”

“We want to be that example for First Nations and municipalities throughout Canada and say this is what’s needed. This is how we are going to be able to move the country forward,” said Dyke.

Photo caption: Sawridge Chief Roland Twinn and MD of Slave River Reeve Murray Kerik watch as Slave Lake Mayor Tyler Warman signs the friendship accord.