CONCLUSION
Further to the September 25, 2017 Council report CR17-93, which provided an update on Reconciliation Regina activities and initiatives, this report provides further updates and progress made since Q3 of 2017.
BACKGROUND
Reconciliation Regina, initiated by Mayor Fougere’s Council Motion in the spring of 2016, is co-facilitated by the City of Regina (Regina) and the Office of the Treaty Commissioner (OTC). The group now consists of approximately 70 Community Champions, including local organizations, community leaders, educators, Elders/Knowledge Keepers, newcomers, survivors, cultural and arts groups, governments, youth, business, faith groups and individuals. All partners are committed to working in partnership towards a strengthened, healthy, vibrant and inclusive community.
Since April 2017, a significant amount of work has been going on behind the scenes, including hosting several Community Champion meetings and establishing a Steering Committee (Organizing Circle), and two Subcommittees: Governance and Communications. Significant progress has been made, as outlined in the Discussion Section below.
On March 20, 2018 Reconciliation Regina held its first public event; a call for participation to local community organizations to join and participate in the creation of Reconciliation Regina and its made-in-Regina Community Action Plan. The Plan will ensure reconciliation continues as a living process, based on information sharing and coordination of joint activities and initiatives that reflect a celebration of diverse cultures, resilience, healing, respect and strengthened partnerships for the wellbeing of all Regina residents.
In 2017-2018, the Government of Canada provided grant funding assistance of $166,450 through the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development’s, Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples (UPIP). This grant funding has been instrumental in enabling the development and implementation of events (Healing Circle, Elders/Knowledge Keeper meetings) and initiatives under Reconciliation Regina, including funding for a Coalition Coordinator to coordinate, oversee and monitor all activities.
DISCUSSION
Through the work of the subcommittees, Reconciliation Regina now has a page on the OTC website, and has adopted a Vision, Mission, Values and Goals Statement (attached as Appendix A). Its Mission is to encourage, advocate, support, promote, take action and facilitate truth and reconciliation initiatives at the local level. As Reconciliation Regina continues to evolve and grow, specific targets will be created and measured provincially, on an ongoing basis.
The Governance Subcommittee continues its work to ensure Reconciliation Regina is truly a community-led body, in accordance with the grant funding guidelines. Incorporation discussions are underway, with a goal to become fully incorporated by Q3 of 2018. This particular subcommittee is also working on a member’s pledge, also to be finalized in Q3 of 2018.
Activities undertaken and completed during Q1 of 2018 included a Steering Committee meeting January 19, 2018 to communicate and approve the actions and initiatives of the work concluded by the Communications and Governance Subcommittees. Through the subcommittees, meaningful dialogue resulted in hosting a meeting with community Elders/Knowledge Keepers to ensure their perspectives, guidance and knowledge are integrated into all Reconciliation Regina initiatives.
The Elders stressed the importance of ensuring Indigenous protocol is respectfully incorporated in every meeting. The Elders also advised that a Healing Circle would be appropriate and necessary. A Healing Circle, with approximately 50 participants was held March 8, 2018. The goal of the Healing Circle was to allow participants to speak their truth in a safe space and to be received with understanding and prayer.
In addition, and consistent with the feedback from all committees and subcommittees is the need to focus on the following areas: language, culture, education, ceremony and employment.
Next Steps
Further to the Government of Canada grant funding received in 2017-2018, the City submitted a further UPIP grant funding application for $100,000 for the 2018-2019 year to continue the activities and relationships created as a result of Reconciliation Regina. Approval of this funding request is pending.
As Reconciliation Regina continues to evolve and grow, specific targets will be created and measured locally and provincially, on an ongoing basis. As well, once the governance structure is established for Reconciliation Regina, further community activities and initiatives will continue, as the purpose for Reconciliation Regina is to continue as a long-term living and evolving organization.
Reconciliation Regina’s focus for 2018 is to continue the dialogue and healing process, and to plan and create community initiatives that support reconciliation. This will be accomplished through continued meetings of the Governance and Communications Subcommittees, as well as the Steering Committee and Community Champion meetings.
The focus of work for the 2018-2019 year is in the following areas:
Incorporation of Reconciliation Regina:
To ensure Reconciliation Regina is a truly sustainable community-led process, the City and its community stakeholders (Community Champions) recommend that incorporation needs to occur as a non-profit entity. To lead this transition, the Governance Subcommittee has, and will continue, to work with the City of Regina Solicitor’s Office (on an in-kind basis), as well as an outside legal firm with significant experience in incorporation.
The transition to a non-profit organization will require the creation of a governing body (which includes the criteria and other specifics for its members), as well as a governance structure and operational and financial management guidelines. Upon establishment of the non-profit organization, the City remains committed to continued involvement and support for Reconciliation Regina.
Incorporation will also enable access to UPIP funding. The Government of Canada’s intent for the funding is to support existing local Coalitions and incent new Coalitions that bring together all orders of government and stakeholders to identify key local priorities and needs and ensure efficient and coordinated delivery of urban Indigenous programs. The primary goal of the Coalition will be to promote collaboration at the local level, to identify local needs, and to develop local plans to address identified priorities. The Government of Canada has agreed to allow the City to apply for and manage the funds, while incorporation is underway.
This work began in September 2017 and continues with an expected conclusion date of Q3 of 2018.
Reconciliation Regina Annual Event and Communications Strategy:
Led by the Communications Subcommittee, work continues on a communications strategy that includes a public awareness campaign. The goal is to effectively tell the Reconciliation Regina story - its purpose, objectives and goals - so that Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals can clearly understand the meaning and significance of reconciliation and the importance of healing those who have been harmed by the residential school experience.
The Communications Subcommittee will also be asked for suggestions for an annual event to recognize reconciliation in Regina. There are many annual events occurring around the city (North Central smudge walk, pow-wows, National Indigenous Peoples Day), which are well
attended and meaningful. The goal of Reconciliation Regina is to create a unique, made-in-Regina event that promotes reconciliation, observes Indigenous protocol and encourages the inclusion of the community and its rich diversity and culture.
Community Action Plan:
A Community Action Plan is a top priority and discussions have begun around design and content. Components of the Action Plan currently being developed and discussed are an on-line survey for all residents in the city and surrounding areas, seeking feedback on what reconciliation means to individuals, suggestions to promote healing in the community, and ways to honour and recognize reconciliation.
A second component of the Action Plan involves hosting Community Champion sector meetings (i.e. faith-based organizations, education, arts and cultural organizations, governments, etc.) to collectively work on ways in which sectors as a whole can respond to the Calls to Action, as opposed to singular, isolated initiatives.
Expansion of the list of Community Champions:
Led by the Reconciliation Regina Coalition Coordinator, an engagement strategy is being developed to encourage, inform and educate other organizations both within the city boundaries
and surrounding areas on the activities, purpose and goals of Reconciliation. This strategy will include a fundraising campaign (funding or in-kind services) to enhance Reconciliation Regina initiatives and activities.
The workplan described above is not meant as the entire list of priorities for 2018-2019. Further priorities will be recommended and undertaken through Steering Committee, Community Champions meetings and subcommittee meetings.
RECOMMENDATION IMPLICATIONS
Financial Implications
There are no financial implications associated with this report; however, as the reconciliation
process evolves, and the City continues to respond to the municipally-directed Calls to Action, there may be policies, programs and initiatives that require funding. Any such initiatives will be submitted as part of the annual budget development process.
Thus far, there have been minimal costs associated with meetings and events; with the majority of the City’s contributions being in-kind.
Environmental Implications
None with respect to this report; however, as the reconciliation process evolves, and the City continues to respond to the municipally-directed Calls to Action, there may be policies, programs and initiatives that require funding. Any such initiatives will be submitted as part of the annual budget development process.
Policy and/or Strategic Implications
All Canadians, levels of government and community stakeholders have a responsibility and role to play in the reconciliation process. As such, it is integral to the health and wellbeing of the community, province, nation and society, in general, that the City, as an organization, participate in redressing the legacy of residential schools and advancing the process of Canadian reconciliation.
Other Implications
None with respect to this report.
Accessibility Implications
None with respect to this report.
COMMUNICATIONS
Through Reconciliation Regina’s Communications Subcommittee, all communication activities will be discussed between all parties involved, and a community communications strategy will be developed.
DELEGATED AUTHORITY
There is no delegated authority associated with this report as it is for informational purposes only.
Respectfully submitted,  | Respectfully submitted,  |
Sheila Harmatiuk Senior Advisor, | Chris Holden City Manager |
Government & Indigenous Relations