EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE - MARCH 15, 2017
The Committee adopted a resolution to concur in the recommendation contained in the report.
Mayor Michael Fougere, Councillors: Andrew Stevens (Chairperson), Lori Bresciani, Sharron Bryce, John Findura, Jerry Flegel, Jason Mancinelli, Joel Murray and Barbara Young were present during consideration of this report by the Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee, at the PRIVATE session of its meeting held on March 15, 2017, considered the following report from the Administration:
RECOMMENDATION
1. That City Council approve the Protocol of Recognition, Partnership and Respect between the City of Regina (City) and File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council (FHQTC).
2. That the Mayor be authorized to sign the agreement on behalf of the City.
CONCLUSION
On November 16, 1998, the City and FHQTC signed a Protocol Declaration of Understanding (Declaration). This Declaration was repealed, and a new Declaration was subsequently signed on June 5, 2007. Since that time, and upon further review, it was determined that the Declaration required significant updates; and as such, the document was again repealed earlier in 2016.
Administrative staff from the City and Regina Treaty Status Indian Services Inc. (RTSIS), the urban affiliate of FHQTC, worked cooperatively to create a new Declaration that upholds the important values of the earlier versions, such as respect, collaboration, and recognition of each other’s strengths, accomplishments and contributions to the community. Additionally, this new Declaration creates a committee structure to support the work of the Declaration, allowing for better management, regular dialogue and follow-up on discussion items. As per the terms of the Declaration, within 60 days of the official signing date, the parties will establish a Technical Committee, comprised of three administrative staff from each party; and, a Governance Committee, comprised of three elected representatives from each signatory to the Declaration.
The Declaration, now titled the Protocol of Recognition, Partnership and Respect, has recently received approval from the RTSIS Board of Directors and the FHQTC Chiefs. To finalize the Declaration, the Administration is requesting Council approval.
BACKGROUND
The signing of the 1998 and 2007 Protocol Declaration of Understanding was significant in that it recognized and formalized the importance of a strengthened partnership between the City and FHQTC. A strengthened relationship will lead to improvements in the quality of life for urban First Nations’ people residing within Regina.
Also declared in the Declaration is recognition that Regina is within Treaty 4 Territory. That individual statement, in and of itself, is very meaningful. Included in the Declaration is recognition that the foundation for a long-term, constructive relationship between the parties requires joint and mutual cooperation in the following areas:
■ Housing for First Nations people;
■ Economic affairs, including employment and business development;
■ Community development and related services;
■ Health and Social Development initiatives;
■ Cooperative approaches with the Provincial and Federal governments;
■ The maximization of federal funding for First Nations developments in Regina;
■ Development of ceremonial sites within the city of Regina;
■ Education and Training opportunities.
The Parties agreed to pursue joint activity based on the following principles:
■ First Nations people should have a quality of life comparable to other residents of the city of Regina;
■ RTSIS is a primary contact for Urban First Nations people; and both parties will facilitate effective consultations and/or communications relating to community based developments and program initiatives;
■ The interests and priorities of the parties can be best implemented through a jointly established “developmental plan.”
■ Both parties agree and understand that future infrastructure, including facility expansion and upgrades, requires the involvement of the provincial and federal governments.
In addition to the above principles, FHQTC commitments or “whereas” clauses included:
■ Dedicated to the establishment of a constructive working relationship with the City of Regina;
■ Committed to fostering First Nations housing, employment, education, business, social and community developments in the city of Regina;
■ Work in Regina with an urban affiliate, RTSIS, which is mandated to represent the interests of the 16 First Nations comprised of the FHQTC and the Touchwood Agency Tribal Council, and is authorized by them to coordinate, manage, and deliver programs and services to First Nations people living in the city of Regina;
■ Recognizes that the city of Regina as a municipality does not have jurisdiction for health and education.
The City’s commitments, or “whereas” clauses included:
■ Dedicated to constructive working relationships with RTSIS;
■ Committed to pursuing developments and operations in a manner which will improve the quality of life of First Nations people in the city of Regina;
■ Interest in promoting First Nations housing, employment, education and business activity;
■ Prioritized community renewal in the core area of the city of Regina involving neighbourhoods which have a high concentration of First Nations people;
■ Recognizes that RTSIS is mandated to represent the interests of the 16 First Nations comprised of the FHQTC and the Touchwood Agency Tribal Council.
DISCUSSION
The decision to repeal and create a new Protocol of Recognition, Partnership and Respect was based on the following:
1) Many of the foundations of mutual interest in the 2007 document were areas of responsibility and jurisdiction that primarily reside with the provincial and federal governments. The updated document states, within the General Provisions section, that both parties to the Declaration recognize that this agreement pertains to services within municipal jurisdiction or responsibility.
2) The work being initiated from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, including the community collaboration within “Reconciliation Regina” created a need to update the language, intent, values and shared principles - those being respect, understanding, integrity, accountability, transparency, inclusiveness and responsiveness - as the basis of the relationship between the Parties that will shape our community to support the betterment of the lives of all Treaty 4 people.
The newly updated Declaration maintains and upholds consistent principles and values similar to the 2007 Protocol, including recognition of the value of a strengthened relationship, the significance of Aboriginal and Treaty Rights, the fact that citizens living within the boundaries of the city of Regina are Treaty 4 people on Treaty 4 lands, and the importance of open communication and dialogue on issues of mutual concern and interest.
An important addition to the Declaration is the introduction of a committee structure (Technical Committee and Governance Committee). These committees, to be established within 60 business days of the signing of this Protocol Agreement, will consist of three elected representatives from each party to serve on a Governance Committee, and three administrative representatives from each party to serve on a Technical Committee. The commitment to a committee structure will ensure ongoing communication and follow-up occurs on a regular basis.
The intent of the scheduled committee meetings and ongoing dialogue will include:
(1) Information sharing and listening;
(2) Discussion of issues and opportunities;
(3) Celebration of successes;
(4) Joint initiatives that will further the relationship by honouring each other’s cultures, values, similarities and differences;
(5) Collaboration on projects that will enhance our community’s social, cultural, spiritual and economic fabric in a holistic and respectful manner;
(6) Enhance and promote positive perception and attitudes between Indigenous communities and the community of Regina;
(7) Establish and maintain a lasting legacy of inspiration and optimism that re-sets the past relationships and paves the way for future generations to treat each other with respect, recognizing and accepting each other’s strengths and contributions to the community with a goal of improving relations.
In discussions with RTSIS, it was identified that the Declaration must include a protocol that clarifies the steps required, or process initiated when an immediate or critical issue or incident occurs outside of the meeting schedule defined in the Declaration. In response, Schedule “A”, the Protocol for Priority Response which includes the purpose, definition and management and operation of the protocol for priority response was developed.
RECOMMENDATION IMPLICATIONS
Financial Implications
There are no financial implications associated with this report, however, as the Committees created to support the Declaration meet and the process evolves, there may be policies, programs and initiatives that require funding. Any such initiatives will be vetted through the regular budget processes.
Environmental Implications
None with respect to this report.
Policy and/or Strategic Implications
All residents, orders of government and community stakeholders have a responsibility and role to play in the ensuring the City of Regina is an inclusive, vibrant, healthy and respectful community. As such, partnerships with the intent to strengthen relationships, improve lives, promote better understanding of cultures and cooperation on mutual issues of concern are integral to the overall wellbeing of the city, community and province.
Other Implications
None with respect to this report.
Accessibility Implications
None with respect to this report.
COMMUNICATIONS
A public signing ceremony will be planned by both parties and jointly communicated.
DELEGATED AUTHORITY
The recommendations contained in this report require City Council approval.
Respectfully submitted,
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Jim Nicol, Secretary