HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-20-008 - Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan - The Journey ForwardREPORT TO: Council
DATE OF MEETING:August 24, 2020
SUBMITTED BY: Denise McGoldrick,GM Infrastructure Services,519-741-2600 x4657
PREPARED BY: Denise McGoldrick,GM Infrastructure Services,519-741-2600 x4657
Josh Shea, Natural Area Coordinator, 519-741-2600 x4177
WARD (S) INVOLVED:All Wards
DATE OF REPORT:August 19, 2020
REPORT NO.: INS-20-008
SUBJECT: Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan - The Journey Forward
__________________________________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION:
That INS-20-008, be received;
That staff be directed to develop a policy to support the access and use of public
spaces by Indigenous peoples to carry out cultural and ceremonial practices; and,
That City of Kitchener rental-relatedfees associated withuse of City spaces for
Indigenous cultural and ceremonialevents be suspended until such policy is
considered by Council.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Deep and systemic inequities in our society and our community have been highlighted in recent
weeks and months. While these inequities and issues existed long before COVID-19, the
pressures of the global pandemic have further highlighted the impact systemic racism has on
Indigenous and Black people as well as other people of colour. Social injustice and racismexist
in our community and our organizations, and now is the time for meaningful, immediate action.
On June 20, 2020, some members of the local Indigenous communitiesestablished the O:se
Kenionhata:tieLand Back Camp in Victoria Park and set up social media through Facebook and
Instagram to describe the purpose of the camp. On July 10, 2020, a petition addressed to the
mayors of Kitchener and Waterloo was circulated and outlined the specific demands ofthe Land
Back Camp organizers. The concerns expressed by Land Back Camp organizers are consistent
with concerns that have come to light by way of other community consultations, however there
is a need to engage more broadly on actions to support the local urban Indigenous communities.
In order to uphold commitments made to respond to the Calls to Action of the Truth and
Reconciliation Commission, a region-wide Reconciliation Action Plan is being launched by area
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994for assistance.
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municipalities, Region and the Grand RiverConservation Authority.A consultant with significant
knowledge and expertise is being sought in order to lead this work in a culturally appropriate
way. This work will involve comprehensive engagement with the local Indigenous communities,
including Elders, knowledge keepers and youth, to better understand the range of interests,
community needs, and associated challenges experienced locally.
While much of this work will take time, there are actions that can be taken in the short-term. In
order to support the use of public spaces by Indigenous peoples to carry out cultural and
ceremonial practices, it is recommended that rental-related fees be suspended until a formal
policy can be considered by Council.
BACKGROUND:
In 2019,Kitchener City Councildirected staff to proceed with the implementation of the Truth &
Reconciliation Calls to Action starting with two priorities (COR-19-021).:
1. Introduce a territorial acknowledgement at the commencement of Council to signal a
commitment to responding to the Truth & Reconciliation Calls to Action and to
demonstrate respect for the ongoing relationships we are building; and
2.The implementation of a training program for staffand Councilthat will increase
Indigenous competency at an organizational level, resulting in improved customer
service and increased capacity of non-Indigenous staff across the organization to work
respectfully and appropriately on Indigenous initiatives in a municipal context.
Internal capacity building within the City ofKitchener is underway and Indigenous Inter-cultural
competency training was organized inspring 2020 for Council and staff however was deferred
due to the pandemicand inability to deliver in-person training. Staff are working with municipal
partnersandthe training providerto identify an alternative approach to delivering the training.
In early 2020, the City leveraged a $25,000 donation from the Kitchener-Waterloo Community
Foundation to support the exploration of Indigenous opportunities in the Huron Natural Area
(HNA). The project focuses on understanding Indigenous use of HNA through key focus areas:
Cultural awareness programming and activities; exploring Indigenous education
programs, Forest School initiatives, storytelling through signage and guided walks, etc.
Land-based restoration and stewardship; includes exploring how traditional land-based
Indigenous ecological knowledge can be integrated and utilized to enhance the existing
restoration, stewardship and engagement programs delivered in the park.
Events, ceremony and celebration; includes exploring how the park can function as a
space for Indigenous events and celebrations for both public participation as well as
private ceremonies
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The HNA initiativewas paused in the initial stages of the pandemic and was re-initiatedin July
with the completion of the recruitmentprocess and onboarding of an Indigenous Parks
Engagement Associate to support this work.
Itisrecognized that the initial response to theTRC’s calls to action providea starting point in
the City’s journeyto develop meaningful relationships and work toward reconciliation with the
local First Nations,Métisand Inuit communities.However,a more comprehensive approachto
reconciliation is required to address systemic inequities, racismand to better support,
celebrate and deliver services to Indigenous Peoples in Kitchener.
REPORT:
The City of Kitchener’s Strategic Plan (2019-2022) identifies that one of it’s five goals is to
“Enhance people’s sense of belonging and connection by providing welcoming community
spaces and programs; better engaging, serving and supporting our diverse populations and
helping to make housing affordable”. This goalis being supported through the development of
an Equity, Diversityand Inclusion Strategy and by continuing the journey of reconciliation with
First Nations, Métisand Inuit members of our community.This report provides additional details
on a region-wide ReconciliationAction Plan – a collaborative process between the Indigenous
communities,the Region and area municipalities.
O:se Kenhionhata:tie Land Back Camp
On June 20, 2020, some members of the local Indigenous communities, established the O:se
Kenhionhata:tieLand Back Camp in Victoria Park and set up social media through Facebook
and Instagram to describe the purpose of the camp.
On July 10, 2020, a petition addressed to the mayors of Kitchener and Waterloo was circulated
and provided specific demandsof the Land Back Camp organizers. The petition received over
5000 signatures. The demands are as follows:
Dear Mayor Berry Vrbanovic and Mayor Dave Jaworsky,
For hundreds of years, our people gathered as many nations in what is now Victoria Park,
Kitchener. We gathered in this area to meet under great peace and diplomacy to talk, trade, hunt
and feast together. We gathered for ceremony. We came together bringing our children and
those of marriageable age would find partners and create new, great kinships between our
peoples. First Chonnonton, Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Huron nations found our peace
and way under the great treaty of the Dish With One Spoon Wampum. We came together here
under this long standing agreement that we conducted our relationshipon this land.
Today, both cities charge us large amounts of money to gather in our traditional places. We are
now obliged to obtain permits and seek permission to gatheron our traditional land that we have
used for thousands of years.
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1.We demand that all fees be waived for the Indigenous communities to host events in
public spaces.
2.We demand that land in Victoria Park, and Waterloo Park, be given back to the Indigenous
Peoples. These spaces will be used for gathering and ceremonial purposes.
3.We demand that the cities create paid positions, at all levels, for Indigenous Peoples to
be able to engage with the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples living on this territory.
4.We demand that the cities create Indigenous Advisory Committees (paid) that will work
with the Mayors and City Councillors in helping to address topics such as racial injustice,
the lack of access to Indigenous services and community spaces, and addressing the
TRC's 94 Calls to Actions.
We will continue to occupy "public" space on our lands until these demands have been met. We
look forward to your reply.
The concerns expressed by Land Back Camp organizers are not unique to this group.
Wellbeing Waterloo Region has published an Indigenous Community Consultations Report
(Sept 13, 2018) that highlights the need for Indigenous representation at decision-making tables
across the region, including municipal government. This report also notes the need for service
providers to increase their knowledge of Indigenous history and culture, the need to
acknowledge and celebrate culturally significant days like National Indigenous Peoples Day, and
the need to address systemic racism in our community.
Viewpoints on the Landback Camp havebeen shared withthe City from various local Indigenous
community members. While some feedback has shared support for the Landback Camp,
concerns have also been expressed by members of the Indigenous communitiesthat broader
consultation is required with the local Indigenous communitiesto ensure all interests are
considered. Landback Camp organizers have recognized on their Facebook page that they do
not speak for the local Indigenous communities.
A Reconciliation Action Plan is a recommended approach to consider the many voicesof the
local Indigenous communitiesto address the systemic issues and barriers for Indigenous
Peoples that are inherent in municipal processes, services,programsand spaces.
Reconciliation Action Plan
Deep and systemic inequities in our society and our community have been highlighted in recent
weeks and months. While these inequities and issues existed long before COVID-19, the
pressures of the global pandemic have further highlighted the impact systemic racism has on
Indigenous and Black people as well as other people of colour. Social injustice and racism exist
in our community and our organizations, and now is the time for meaningful, immediate action.
The Truth & Reconciliation Commission definesreconciliation as “establishing and maintaining
a mutually respectful relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples in this country.
For that to happen, there has to be awareness of the past, acknowledgement of the harm that
has been inflicted, atonement for the causes, and action to change behaviour.”.
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In order to address the root cause of the key themes of concerns expressed by local Indigenous
communitiesand see meaningful relationships enhancedwith Indigenous people in the Region
of Waterloo, the following approach is recommended:
Systems based – applya systems-basedlens to the issues and recognize that
issues are interwoven andcomplex and cannot be addressed by a check-box
approachor by considering initiatives as “projects”
Indigenousrepresentation – the City of Kitchener and other organizationsrequire
competency inIndigenousrelations that can only be accomplished
byengagingIndigenousadvisors and/orIndigenousemployeesto lead and support
this work
Action-Oriented – all jurisdictions should becommittedto action
andresolving concerns.
Long-term solutions – solutions should be long-term and sustainable in nature
Interjurisdictional – inter-jurisdictionalcollaborationwithin the Region and with
other stakeholdersis required to resolve issues.
Longevity and Flexibility- It is recognized that issues and actions may evolve over
time and that addressing specific issues is not a “one and done”. There needs to be
longevity and flexibility within the approachand an ongoing commitment for long-
term relationship building.
BroadIndigenousEngagement– ensure broader dialogue across the
diverseIndigenouscommunitiesin Waterloo Region recognizing that there is no
single voice that speaks to the needs of the local Indigenous communities.
In support of this approach, the Region of Waterloo, area municipalities (Cities of Cambridge,
Kitchener, Waterloo and Townships of North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot, and Woolwich)and
the Grand River Conservation Authority recognize that a siloed approach to individual
reconciliation initiativeswillnot benefit the Indigenous communitiesthat we serve. The
services offered between a two-tiered municipal government differ between the jurisdictions.
For example, social supports are provided by the Region, and parks and natural spaces are
provided by the cities/townships. Further, individual engagement initiativesby each
municipality would require local residents to participate in multiple, similar consultations and a
consistent approach would be beneficial. Lastly, by leveraging our collective efforts, actions
and results will be quicker to materialize asduplications of efforts will be minimized to the
maximum extent possible.
Thisinter-municipal group is seeking proposals for a consultant who will provide engagement
services to develop the region-wide Reconciliation Action Plan. The successful consultant will
bring knowledge and expertise that will allow them to lead this work in a culturally appropriate
way. An external consultant will also bring a neutrality that will enable inclusion of the many
voices of the diverse Indigenous communitiesin Waterloo Region.
The consultant will also provide process and facilitation expertise to supportcomprehensive
engagement with local Indigenous communities, including Elders, knowledge keepers and
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youth, to better understand the range of interests, community needs, and associated challenges
experienced locally. Based on the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, it is
anticipated that key themes for engagement will include: Culture & Celebration, Access to Land,
Social & Community Supports and Representation & Belonging. It is anticipated that
engagement activities will considerdifferent methods to balance the value of in-person dialogue
with virtual meetings, in accordance with COVID-19 protocols will be a primary consideration.
A Reconciliation Action Plan willconsolidate what we heard from the community and identify
actionsand implementation phasing to move our community forward torealize the vision of the
Truth & Reconciliation Calls for Action.It is anticipated that a Reconciliation Action Plan and
associated implementation considerations will be completed by the end of2021.
It is important that engagement be Indigenous ledand supported. To ensure that engagement
occurs in a culturally appropriate way and to assist in the co-creation ofthe ReconciliationAction
Plan, an Indigenous Advisory groupwill be establishedas one of the initial stages of the
engagement work. Representation from several Indigenous community organizations, local
universities and the Indigenous communitiesas a whole will be sought.As is thepractice for
the Wellbeing Waterloo Region First Nations, Métisand Inuit Advisory and Advocacy Circle, an
honorarium will be offered toAdvisory Committeemembers to recognize their contribution of
traditional knowledgesharingand the important value that this provides to the reconciliation
process.The Committee will also consider a long-term, sustainable model to provide advisory
supportto Regional and Municipal Councils.
These efforts are intended to be complimentary toand not duplicate efforts with the broader
Anti-Racism Initiative, and the purview of the Anti-Racism Secretariat. The City has a
responsibility to engage in a way that recognizes the distinct nature of reconciliation work with
respect to theTruth and Reconciliation Commission calls to action.
The plan to engage in this work has been shared with the broader community by way of a press
release on August 20, 2020. When beginning the engagement work, all municipal partners will
work closely with local Indigenous-led organizations on strategies to best reach members of the
local urban Indigenous communities.
Embarking on the development of a region-wide Reconciliation Action Plan alongside the local
Indigenous communitiesis an important next step in the City of Kitchener’s journey toward
reconciliation. Listening, learning, and taking the recommended actions, will help us move
forward and realize the vision of the TRC Calls to Action.
Opportunities for Near-termAction
In addition to a more comprehensive Reconciliation Action Plan, opportunities to advance near-
term action as they are identified should beexplored and implemented, so as not to wait until
the finalization of a Reconciliation Action Plan.One such action that is recommended to be
advanced concurrently with the ReconciliationAction Plan is the development of a policy to
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support the access and use of public spaces by Indigenous peoples to carry out cultural and
ceremonial practices. The policy development will identify barriers to use of public spaceswith
the goal of facilitating access to the maximum extent possible. Barriers may include:
Financial impacts/lack of financial resources to using public space
Administrative/red tape in permitting for events
Lack of knowledge and appreciation of the importance ofthe use of sacred medicines
such as tobacco, sage, cedarand sweetgrass, and ceremonial practices such as
smudging, sacred pipe and sacred fires
A policy update will require input from the community and the Indigenous Advisory group,
therefore, it is recommended that City rental fees be suspended until a policy is brought forward
for consideration, anticipated in Q2 2021. Staff recommend that tobe eligibleto have rental-
relatedfees waived, the event must:
be an Indigenous ceremonial or cultural event
be open and accessible to members of the local Indigenous communities
comply with all city policies and bylaws related to space rentals
Rental-related fees will include:
space rental fee;
fees for associated permits;
fees for booking incidental requirements asper the City of KitchenerUser Fee Schedule
Event organizers will still be required to follow policies and permit requirements required by the
Region or Province and to pay associated fees. Staff will work closely with event organizers to
provide support navigating booking requirements.
In addition to the actions noted above, staff are currently developing a proposal for a dedicated
team of City staff to provide leadership, expertise, advice and senior level competencies, in the
areas of Indigenous initiatives, anti-racism, and equity. This team would include a permanent
Senior Indigenous Advisor as a key position who, through collaboration and engagement with
the local Indigenouscommunities, as well the application of Indigenous knowledge, traditions
and world views, would help advance reconciliation actions at the City of Kitchener.
The creation of this dedicated staff team was included in the original workplan of the Mayor’s
Task Force on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) when it was created back in 2019. To date,
staff have researched a variety of similar staffing models in other municipalities (and some other
public sector organizations) across Canada and received input and guidance on a potential
staffing model from consultants with expertise in equity, anti-racism and Indigenous initiatives.
In the coming weeks staff will engage a number of community stakeholders, including some
members of the Mayor’s Task Force on EDI, on a proposed organizational structure and
associated positions prior to staff making a recommendation to City Council later this year.
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ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OFKITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
Strategic Goal: Caring Community - Enhance people’s sense of belonging and connection by
providing welcoming community spaces and programs; better engaging, serving and supporting
our diverse populations and helping to make housing affordable.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Reconciliation Action Plan
The estimated costfor the development of a Reconciliation Action Plan,inclusive ofconsulting
fees, engagement costs, honorarium and contingency is $163,000. Based on the cost share
arrangement with the Region and area municipalities, the City of Kitchener share is estimated
to be $27,000. The City’s share is to be funded from the capital contingency account which has
sufficientbalance to accommodate this expenditure.
Suspension of City rental fees
A review of rentals for Indigenous ceremonial events in 2018 and 2019has been performed and
the potential revenue reduction is anticipated to be approximately $5000annually.There may
also be unrealized revenue should utilization of City facilities increase.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM – This report has been posted to the City’s website with the agenda in advance of the
special councilmeeting.
CONSULT – Initial outreach by members of the Indigenous communitieshas helped to inform
the approach to a Reconciliation Action Plan.
PREVIOUS CONSIDERATION OF THIS MATTER:
COR-19-021– Municipal Response to the Truth & Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Dan Chapman, CAO
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