Chris Clegg

South Peace News

(High Prairie) – A High Prairie town councillor is suggesting her colleagues take Indigenous training and/or education and is preparing to file a notice of motion at a future meeting, perhaps as soon as Sept. 29.

Councillor Carol Hanlon read from notes at the Sept. 15 committee-of-the-whole meeting when the matter of Indigenous relations arose. Council has received plenty of criticism after a decision at its Sept. 8 meeting to deny the High Prairie Native Friendship Centre funding. Following is a transcript of Hanlon’s speech:

“So, I did write down some notes because from our last council meeting. I’ve received a number of phone calls, text messages, that sort of thing, so I’m just going to read my notes.

“I would like to suggest that council incorporate some ongoing Indigenous cultural learning and relationship building opportunities. There are a number of opportunities available that are free, low cost or already accessible locally. These could include a Kairos blanket exercise through the High Prairie Aboriginal Interagency Committee, encouraging council members to complete the University of Alberta Indigenous Canada online course, using free land acknowledgement resources, having council members take turns reading the land acknowledgement, and periodically including a short two to three-minute learning component about Treaty 8, our Indigenous communities, and the meaning behind the acknowledgement.

“We need to maintain active participation in the High Prairie Aboriginal Interagency Committee and use that connection to learn more about our local Indigenous organizations, services, events and cultural opportunities.

“I would encourage all council members to attend local powwows, round dances, national Indigenous People’s Day activities, Indigenous Veteran’s Day activities on Nov. 8, and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation event. This year it’s being held in partnership with the CRC, the High Prairie Native Friendship Centre, and our museum on Sept. 30. So, I would encourage all council to put on their orange T-shirts and attend.

“The goal is not to tell council how to make decisions, but to give us more opportunities to understand the history, people and communities we represent.

“We discussed the importance of Treaty 8 and the Metis flags and signage, but we haven’t finalized anything yet. I would really like to see that finalized and perhaps have a ceremony with our Indigenous neighbours when we do put the signs up, if and when we put the signs up or even the flags.

“Truth and Reconciliation Calls for Action. Number 57 says, ‘We call upon the federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments to provide education to public servants on the history of Aboriginal peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal Rights, Indigenous laws, and Aboriginal Crown relations. This will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.’

“I know we can’t make motions at the committee, but I will be bringing a motion forward at our next meeting to start working on some of this,” Hanlon concluded.

CAO David Joy spoke before Hanlon and pointed out council has already met with some but not all local First Nations and Metis Settlements.

“This council has made a good effort to meet with the First Nations groups here, around and outside of town and with the Metis settlements,” Joy said.

“We have met with Driftpile, Sucker Creek, and Kapawe’no and we’re going to meet with Gift Lake, I think it’s (Oct. 6). I’ve reached out to East Prairie Metis Settlement and I want to hear – I’m waiting to hear back from them. I reached out yesterday.

“This council is making great effort,” he added.

“I know with the Friendship Centre and the request for grant created some discussion and certainly was in the paper today. But as the CAO, I can say that this council is trying to make every effort to improve the relations and go forward and involve them in some of the major projects that we have and we want to hear from them what their major issues and challenges are,” he concluded.