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| City Council members and Metlakatla Hereditary Chief Clarence Nelson, Nis Toyx, pause for a photo following the introduction of the city's Framework for Reconciliation at the Monday Council session |
The City of Prince Rupert has released how it will engage in measures of Reconciliation in the years ahead, with a Framework for Reconciliation introduced Monday night by the City's Communication Manager Veronica Stewart.
In his preamble to Framework, Prince Rupert Mayor Lee Brain observed how the city had been working behind the scenes on the document for quite some time and how it was a city wide policy of what the city wants to do towards reconciliation.
"This has been a framework that has been worked on behind the scenes for quite some time This is in addition to the MOU's that we have signed with Metlaktala, Lax Kw'alaams and Kitkatla. This is more of a city wide policy of what we want to do in terms of reconciliation.
And so we have Clarence Nelson here with us this evening, a Hereditary Chief of Metlakatla. Traditional name is Nis Toyx and I would like to maybe call Clarence forward to the microphone and maybe do a traditional welcome and maybe speaking to what this would mean for Council to be passing a framework for Reconciliation in the City of Prince Rupert" -- Mayor Lee Brain
In his commentary towards the City's Framework, the Hereditary Chief spoke extensively to the topic as part of a general overview of the theme of reconciliation.
First noting that he had not had opportunity to review the full document as of yet; though to the spirit of the framework he offered up a number of observations.
He started his presentation with an oral history of some of the pivotal moments in recent North Coast times for the Indigenous nations of the region, collectively known as the Nine Tribes.
Mt. Nelson observed of the changes that have come to the region through the course of history, with a particular focus on the story of the people of Metlakatla, His commentary included the current focus on education for youth in his community and how it creates opportunity for expanded learning of their history.
Noting of the involvement of Councillor Reid Skelton-Morven in the creation of the Framework for the City, Mr. Nelson observed of how he hoped that the work taken on by the city on reconciliation would also have an impact on bringing the regional First Nations together.
"Years ago we used to have a Tribal Council, we were all One Nation in those days in regards to where we came from, Kitkatla, Hartley Bay, Metlakatla, Lax Kwa'laams, Kitasoo, Kitselas, Kitsumkalum and we were all under the Tribal Council and we had good unity you know.
But of course times changed, and the other leaders they wanted a little bit more of the action, where the money came from. They said well we have a bigger Band than you guys we need a little more money and that broke up.
You know we lost the Tribal Council and I think that was a big loss for our nation.
Now with this reconciliation thing maybe it will start bringing our people back together again and realizing and focused on things that are important for each community and the nation and the young people" -- Metlakatla Hereditary Chief, Clarence Nelson Nis Toyx
As part of his presentation the Hereditary Chief also outlined the transition of the area of the City of Prince Rupert from a First Nation community to one which saw people from other areas of Canada and from around the world arrive, most of them drawn to the region at the time by then flourishing fishing industry.
To bring the example forward to our times of today, Mr. Nelson noted of the current dominance of the Port and how it is now providing the jobs for many in the region.
Towards the City's Framework he framed it as a document that puts in motion plans towards expanding on our relationships.
"I'm really not familiar with the whole presentation you made Mr. Morven and I didn't get a chance to read it, but I'm sure these guys have reviewed it and I hope its accepted ... we have to look at how we are going to all work together, regardless of who we are" -- Metlakatla Hereditary Chief, Clarence Nelson Nis Toyx
He also made note of the large segment of the city's population that is First Nations and also towards the investments that the area Bands and First Nations have made in Prince Rupert, with much of that money being put towards improving the city.
Of note he observed of the Metlakatla led Elders/Seniors housing complex in the city, as well as the gas bar located in the Industrial Park.
Closing his comment Mr. Nelson offered the council his best wishes as they work forward with their Framework.
Ms. Stewart then formally introduced the Framework for Reconciliation, observing how the Framework is a living document, noting of some of the key elements of the document.
"Just a little bit of context for the way that this information is presented it's really intended to be a living document, with some basic direction for staff to proceed on different items. So some of those items include working with an employment equity policy, kind of entrenching more visual and cultural identity in Prince Rupert.
So opportunities like having parks renamed after Indigenous people where they are just currently named after the street they are on, or if we're opening new subdivisions to have those considered for Indigenous names.
Other items within the policy framework are looking towards supporting Indigenous First Nations like we have with things like the MOU and auctioning on shared objectives like housing and economic development ... so that's something that we are looking at cementing into a council policy" -- City of Prince Rupert Communication Manager Veronika Stewart
Ms. Stewart also observed how the living document would include a committee of people from the community to direct staff towards the evolution of the Framework and how it needs to be community driven.
Councillor Skelton-Morven who was involved in the drafting of the Framework outlined how his absence on the night was related to a family issue which required his travel to Vancouver, something which resulted in him not being able to provide a copy of the document to the Hereditary Chief before the Council session.
To the theme of the Framework presentation, Mr Skelton-Morven compared it to building a foundation. Noting of the upcoming election, the councillor observed how it was important to lay the framework as to how the municipality would address the topic in the future.
"Just to kind of speak to some of these pieces, for me I look at this framework policy as building a foundation, and the foundation of a house that will then become something else in the future. It being a living, breathing document it gives the opportunity for it to be involved as relationships do. And that's relationships with each other, relationships between nations. For me especially as we're creeping up to an election and all these other pieces, it's important to lay the framework and the standards for these and how were going to do this as a municipality moving forward" -- Councillor Reid Skelton-Morven
He also recounted some of the elements of the framework and how they would work with previous MOU's, housing and developments, shared prosperity agreements and the work required to enhance them.
The councillor spoke of the wall between the two sides and how the framework would be taking those bricks down bit by bit.
"When it comes to reconciliation between the Western world and Indigenous ways of being, we have a wall in between us, it's right here. And that wall is a barrier of hostility between traumas and experiences that have happened throughout history.
There's a rift in between on both sides and that's the fear and apprehension that we have to be able to take down these bricks and a lot of the time that's where it prevents us from having a relationship and having a connection.
So I look at this policy as us taking bricks down bit by bit, in collaboration with our neighbours and our families and friends and finding a way forward together" -- Councillor Reid Skelton-Morven
Mr. Skelton-Morven also highlighted the importance of the land acknowledgement piece of the Framework which will put the emphasis on the Ts'msyen territory and Nation.
Mayor Brain thanked both the Councillor and Ms. Stewart for their work on the Framework.
Towards commentary most of the Council members shared some thoughts on the Framework. Councillor Nick Adey calling on some of his early experiences in the region starting with his arrival as a 23 year old teacher in Kitkatla and the welcome he received from the community.
Though his observations, he noted how that has shaped his views and how he was very supportive of the City's Framework.
Noting of the the work in progress that the document is, the living document that will make for an important aspect of the work that the City is taking on and how it offers a guide for the next council as it looks to develop it along with the regional First Nations.
"I think that's a really important aspect to this because it is a very complex and multi-faceted set of ideas and issues and so it has to be a work in progress. Because you can't grasp it all in one moment.
But I also think that it's valuable because it gives the future council, the next council, a guide for future action.
And it provides some flexibility in terms of how the next council can continue to develop it along with First Nations People. Mindful of the emerging opportunities and challenges as time goes by" -- Councillor Nick Adey
Mr. Adey also called attention to the opportunity that the Framework offers and how it will create "a visible, this is who we are face" to it, noting of the areas related to street naming as important to those goals.
He also observed how the Framework's emphasis of how Council can be supportive to Indigenous preservation and revitalization of language and culture was the proper emphasis towards that element of the Framework.
"The short version of that is that I'm very much in support of this, I'm really excited to see where it goes. I think it reflects how far we've come since I was a young man on the dock in 1983 and I think obviously there is still a ways to go but it's part of a very encouraging history" -- Councillor Nick Adey
Councillor Niesh offered up a short commentary to the document, noting how it offers the community a chance to move things forward and trying to make things better.
Councillor Cunningham offered his full support to the Framework as well noting of the progress that the city is taking towards its goals for reconciliation.
"I support this document 100 percent. It brings some meaning to the word reconciliation it's been bantered around for quite a while, a lot of people talk about it but don't do anything about it.
The city here is actually putting some action into the words, its you know it comes as Councillor Adey said from different agencies right up to the UN.
I think it's great the city is doing this. It's giving us a framework to actually do something about reconciliation and like the Chief said you know it's bringing the Bands together as well as the city.
We've all got to work together if we want this region to prosper, and this is going to be a step in that direction, we're going to be taking that step with a lot of partners and I think that's very important' -- Councillor Barry Cunningham
Councillor Randhawa also offered his support of the document and congratulated both Mr. Skelton Morven and Ms. Steward for their work on the Framework.
The introduction of the Framework came to an end with a few more words from the Metlakatla Hereditary Chief who spoke on the theme for protocols, recounting a story on a totem Pole for the College that created some controversy as a guiding message towards communication for the Council members to keep in mind.
Mayor Brain then spoke to the initiative, first by reviewing some of the previous agreements that the City has taken on with area Indigenous Nations and how they have set the foundation for what is ahead.
"We've been working closely with the First Nations communities on specific agreements with each community. You know we have our agreements with Kitkatla we're building the waterfront project together - a thirty million dollar project.
We have agreements with Lax Kw'alamms, with Metlakatla and as well as both of them together, the Coast Ts'msyen and we have a variety of frameworks under that on housing on land agreements, on social agreements.
And so what I think this is, is even broader and more entrenched city wide policies that will raise the cultural profile of the entire community.
You know one of the conversations that I've been having for the last eight years with all the Bands in the area, is creating a Ts'msyen kind of Mecca out of Prince Rupert.
That this place should reflect the culture that has been here for thousands of years.
And so, you know, I dream in the future that you walk down the street and you see you know street names, or you see signage, or you see cultural art, or you see longhouses and you see that culture just integrated into the community. Which has a variety of benefits not just in terms of recognition, but in tourism all kinds of things.
I just see nothing but positive things coming from a framework like this, that takes it to the next level, which is the entrenchment of the culture embedded into the community. And just that recognition that yeah we are fifty percent First Nations in this community and we are all living here together.
And started that process with the rebranding of the city, right, we went through that process we rebranded the community we have new symbology that reflects the true nature of this community, the City of Rainbows.
And I think that this is just the next step in that process and I think that it's something that you know over the next decade will continue to be expanded upon, continue to be refined and it's just nothing but positive energy around something like that. So that's why I'm definitely in support of the motion" -- Mayor Lee Brain
Councillor Skelton-Morven offered up some final thoughts on reconciliation, expressing his view as to how it offers the chance for the community to walk together as one.
The Council members then approved the motion with a unanimous vote.
Further notes on the Framework can be reviewed through our preview of the document from Monday which includes a link to the Agenda Package where the full document can be examined.
The introduction of the Framework and discussion that followed that can be reviewed from the City's Video Archive page from the start of the session.
More related to the Framework and the other items of Monday's Council session can be reviewed through our Council Timeline Feature.
A wider overview of past Council Discussion themes is available here.
Cross posted from the North Coast Review.
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