HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOR-2021-23 - Indigenous Initiatives Observance of National Day for Truth and ReconciliationREPORT TO:Finance& Corporate ServicesCommittee
th
DATE OF MEETING:September 13
, 2021
SUBMITTED BY:Suzanne Charles Watson,Director of Equity, Anti-Racism &
Indigenous Initiatives, 519-741-2200 ext. 7538
PREPARED BY:Suzanne Charles Watson,Director of Equity, Anti-Racism &
Indigenous Initiatives, 519-741-2200 ext. 7538
WARD(S) INVOLVED:All Wards
th
DATE OF REPORT:August 27,2021
REPORT NO.:COR-2021-23
SUBJECT:Indigenous Initiatives: Observance of National Day for Truth &
Reconciliation
RECOMMENDATION:
That the activities of the Waterloo Region Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group,
and plans to observe the newly establishedFederal Statutory Holiday -National Day
for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR) on September 30, 2021, be received for
information.
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS:
The purpose of this report is to update Council on the activities of the Waterloo Region
Reconciliation Action Plan Working group,and the planned activities to commemorate
the National Day for Truth and Reconciliationon September 30, 2021.
The activities of the Working Group are aligned with the broad objectiveof the City’s
Equity, Inclusion & Anti-Racism Policy to developprograms and services guided by the
principles of equity, inclusion and anti-racism.
The financial implications are $5,000 allocation to a regional fund tosupport the
Indigenous community for the observance of the National Day for Truth and
Reconciliation.
Engagement to support this report includes coordination and collaboration with the
Waterloo region Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group
This report supports A Caring Community by completing a comprehensive Equity,
Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
BACKGROUND:
In 2019, the City demonstrated itscommitment to advance its work on social justice issues,
through a lens of equity, anti-racism and Indigenous partnership,whenCouncil directed staff
to, inter alia, implement theTruth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.
The Region and area municipalities (the cities of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo and the
townships of North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot, and Woolwich) began to worktogether to
coordinate efforts to support Indigenous-centered initiatives in August 2020, in response to
the needs identified through the O:se Kenhionhata:tie Land Back Camp efforts and growing
awareness of systemic issues experienced by Indigenous communities in accessing
municipal spaces and services. In August 2020, both City of Kitchener and City of Waterloo
Councils approved thewaiving of municipal fees for Indigenous peoples to access City
facilities and spaces and also endorsed the development of a Reconciliation Action Plan in
collaboration amongst area municipalities in the Region.The new Federal Statutory Holiday
-National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR), to be observed onSeptember 30,
2021is in response to the 80th call to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of
Canada. The day coincides with the September 30 commemoration of Orange Shirt Day,
which acknowledges the damage of residential schools, honours its victims and celebrates
the survivors.
Using a collaborative approach across the region, through the Waterloo Region
Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group(RAPWG),the observance of the NDTR will be
approachedas an opportunity to reflect, heal and come together in a spirit of truth and
reconciliation, which acknowledges the historic (and contemporary) injustices endured by
Indigenous peoples;and chartsa more just future.
REPORT:
Aregion-wide Reconciliation Action Plan is being developed by the Region and all area
municipalities in order to address key themes of concerns expressed by local Indigenous
communities, see meaningful relationships enhanced between settlers and Indigenous
people, and to uphold our commitments made to respond to the calls to action ofthe TRC.
A Reconciliation Action Plan approach is being recommended to support the many voices
of the local Indigenous communities to address the systemic issues and barriersfor
Indigenous peoples that are inherent in municipal processes, services,programsand
spaces in Waterloo Region. Embarking on the development of a region-wide Reconciliation
Action Plan alongside local Indigenous communities is an important next step inthe
Region’s journey toward truth and reconciliation.Additionally, as we begin this journey of
reconciliation, we acknowledge that we are learning along the way. We recognize the
importance of being open, transparent, and accountable for the Reconciliation Action Plan
and all subsequent actions.
A Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group (RAPWG) consisting of staff representatives
from the Region of Waterloo, and all area municipalities, has been established to advance
this important work and create a consistent regional approach toreconciliationthrough
collaboration,information sharingand relationship building.
To further advance this work, areas of initial focusincludebutarenot limited to:
Learning and Development
Honorarium and Compensation Practices
Indigenous Placekeeping and Land Opportunities
Communications and Events; and
Heritage, Cultural Landscapes, Plaques and Commemoration
The Region-wide ReconciliationAction Plan will not be a detailed report or final strategy,
but rather a living list of actions, priorities, commitments,and an accountability framework
that will be informed through regular and ongoing discussion and relationships with local
Indigenouscommunities.
A preliminary 2022 budget of approximately $200,000 is required to support engagement,
communications, research, and co-op staffing resources. A cost share approach
amongstarea municipalities is being utilizedas it increases efficiencyand capacity to
deliver and provides a streamline regional approach to the work. The City of Kitchener’s
contribution to the 2022 budget is $42,160, which will be identified for Council’s
consideration through the 2022 budget process.
In addition to thedevelopment of a more comprehensive Reconciliation Action Plan,
opportunities to advance Indigenous-centered initiatives are being explored by the
RAPWG as they are identified. The following opportunities and initiatives being supported
by the City of Kitchener include:
Indigenous placemaking at Huron Natural Area
Building a permanent, outdoor gathering space at Victoria Park in partnership with
Indigenous communities. This site will be a safe and culturally appropriate space for
members of Indigenous communities to honour their history and celebrate their
heritage and culture.
Suspension of rental-related fees associated with use of City spaces for Indigenous
cultural and ceremonial events until a policy supporting the access and use of
public spacesby Indigenous peoples to carry out cultural and ceremonial practices
is developed.
Municipal specific initiatives are the responsibility of individual municipalities to fund
outside of the RAPWG budget. Funding associated with these initiatives will be brought
forward through the annual budget process for Council approval.
National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
Aspart of the coordinated effort of the RAPWG, theCity’s observance of the National Day
for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR)is intended to:
1.support Indigenous-led groups or organizations in recognizing the NDTR; through -
but not limited to -funding for programming
2.recognize and commemorate the NDTR for City staff and volunteers through
opportunities for meaningful personal reflection, education and servicethat are
inclusive and accessible
3.promote initiatives to observe the NDTR using internal and external communication
More specifically, activities to support the NDTR willfall into one of three categories:
CATEGORYACTIVITIES
•Provide funding(up to $5,000 total) to support
Indigenous-led initiatives, celebrating Indigenous
culture and ceremony generally; and recognizing
NDTR specifically
•Free access to public spaces for Indigenous
Community Support
communities to celebrate their culture and ceremony
and Engagement
•Hoisting and loweringthe “Every Child Matters”
flagonSeptember 30,2021andOctober 04, 2021,
respectively,to commemorate NDTR and bring
attention to theNational Day of Action for Missing
and Murdered IndigenousWomen and Girls.
•Preparation and distribution of curated list of learning
Consciousness Raising/
resources including books, podcasts, websites,
Education
webinars, films, documentaries and music.
•The development of a robust internal and external
communications plan, commemorating the day.
External facing content will be coordinated with
Communication
municipal partners, as directed by the RAP working
group.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This report supports A Caring Community through alignment with the comprehensive Equity,
Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Capital Budget–Funding(of up to $5,000) from theEDI Capital accountto support
Indigenous-led initiatives, celebrating Indigenous culture and ceremony generally; and
recognizing NDTR specifically
Operating Budget–The recommendation has no impact on the Operating Budget.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM –This report has been posted to the City’s website with the agenda in advance of
the council / committee meeting.In addition, communication has been shared with the
Wellbeing Waterloo Region First Nations, Metis, Inuit Advisory and Advocacy Circle
regarding the availability of municipal spaces and funding for the day’s activities.
CONSULT -Initial outreachwithmembers of the Indigenous communities has helped to
inform the approach to a Reconciliation Action Plan.We hope to continue to build
relationships and collaborate with Indigenous organizations and communities.
PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES:
COR-19-021–Municipal Response to the Truth & Reconciliation Commission Calls to
Action
INS-20-008 –Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan –The Journey Forward
APPROVEDBY: Victoria Raab, General Manager, Corporate Services Department