City to introduce proposals for Framework on Reconciliation Policy tonight

The Indigenous themed City of Prince Rupert logo used last week. 
It's One of the many variations for the new Civic
logo that have been introduced in recent weeks

As the final few days for their mandate arrive, the current members of Prince Rupert's City Council will receive the findings for a Framework for Reconciliation Policy Document, introducing it tonight at this last council session prior to the October 15th election.

The document which is available for review on the City's website as part of tonight's Agenda was developed by City staff in collaboration with Councillor Reid Skelton-Morven.  

As part of the introduction to the report it is noted that it is intended to serve as the initial basis for a future action plan to be developed with recommendations from a committee comprised of Indigenous community representation.

 The costs associated with those potential projects, events or programs are to be evaluated by Council on an ongoing basis, with every effort to be made to seek out grant funding, of note is funding already available for Culture sensitivity training and for Community to Community forum organization as a start.

click to enlarge

The Framework has been divided into four elements the first, Application and Scope noting of a recommendation for the City of Prince Rupert to adopt the United National Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) as the framework for reconciliation, as well as a commitment to develop an implementation plan in partnership with Indigenous governments.

The Identity, Language and Culture elements include adoption of policy to better visually and culturally anchor Prince Rupert as Ts'myseyn territory, implementing land acknowledgement for the outset of Council meetings and public facing documents, the continuation of work to support the community's visual identity as Ts'msyen territory, the document noting of the first step towards that came from the City's adoption of the new municipal brand, which was co-designed by Ts'msyen artist, Russel Mather.

Other areas for advance from the Identity, Language and Culture area include work with Tourism Prince Rupert on wayfinding standards, creation of a new street naming and public space bylaw that will identify Indigenous names as priorities for future street and subdivision names, as well as for parks which will focus on local Indigenous figures and place names.

Shifting the focus for the planning around the future of Prince Rupert's traditional poles, with a preference to future poles to have a Ts'msyen origin.

The Third Element is related to Employment, with City to Act as an Example in employment practices for other governments and Prince Rupert employers. Towards that resolve it is proposed that the city develop an Equity in Employment policy, development of cultural and sensitivity training for the City's employees.  The policy would also include ensuring that City services are accessible and work environments are welcoming to Indigenous residents and employees. As part of that the City would support the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action #57.

The final element addresses Relationship Building, Development and Housing.

Key to that area of policy, the City would in partnership with its neighbours apply for funding for the Community2Communifty forum towards the pursuit of shared interests.

The city would also commit seek opportunities to partner with neighbouring Indigenous communities towards housing.

The remainder of the scope of the final element notes of the City to encourage major industry to sign impact Benefit Agreements that will see local Indigenous directly benefit from development occurring on their territories. 

The City also offers opportunity on themes data sharing with Indigenous Nations and will convene a Council appointed working group with majority Indigenous membership to bring forth future recommendations and help set in motion and adoption of the broader UNDRIP plan.

The details to all of the above can be revived from page fifteen of tonights Council Agenda.

Once introduced, the Council members will have opportunity to share their thoughts on the policy and proclaim their adoption for the attached policy framework, as well as to direct staff to begin with the acton plan towards the themes of the framework.

More notes on tonight's Council session can be reviewed here.