Vancouver took further steps on its commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation, with City Council approving to move forward on 41 actions as outlined by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
“Vancouver is proud to be a City of Reconciliation, and we are committed to strengthening our relationships between our indigenous and non-indigenous peoples,” said Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson. “We have come so far in recent years, but there is much more work to do. As Mayor, I am committed to ensuring Vancouver is a City of Reconciliation, one that values mutual understanding, respect, and empathy.”
Following an in-depth review of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action report, staff identified 27 Calls to Action that the City can respond directly to and which of the 94 Calls to Action that it had jurisdiction over and the ability to implement. The 41 actions that can be addressed fall within three key themes at the City: Healthy Communities and Wellness, Achieving Indigenous and Human Rights Recognition and Advancing Awareness, Knowledge and Capacity.
Looking forward, as Vancouver sets out to build upon its City of Reconciliation framework in 2016, staff outlined next steps:
* Funding for two Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Centres;
* Cultural Competency training for senior City managers and 350+ staff;
* Creation of a new Manager of Aboriginal Relations in the City Manager’s Office;
* Integration of ‘Reconciliation’ theme in the planning and development of the Canada 150 celebration program;
* Collaborating with Reconciliation Canada to develop indicators that will measure the progress and evaluate work on reconciliation.
The City of Vancouver is embracing reconciliation for meaningful change. Key steps the City has taken:
* On February 26, 2013 Council endorsed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples
* Council proclaimed June 21, 2013 to June 20, 2014 as the Year of Reconciliation in the City of Vancouver
* On June 25, 2014 Council acknowledged that Vancouver is on the unceded traditional territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations.
Read staff’s report on City of Reconciliation 2014-2016 here<http://council.vancouver.ca/20160119/documents/rr1b.pdf>
Read about the Year of Reconciliation here<http://vancouver.ca/people-programs/year-of-reconciliation.aspx>
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