Photo: City of Kelowna
Progress has been made but more needs to be done.
This was the conclusion reached by Kelowna City officials during a major review of the steps the city has taken to fuel the calls to action from the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission report.
The city council requested the review days after the discovery of 215 children in unmarked burial sites at a former Kamloops Indian Residential School.
Staff say some TRC Calls to Action initiatives have been implemented or are ongoing, but acknowledge that “the work now is not what we as a city can and should be doing”.
The vision of Imagine Kelowna, who will lead the city’s official parish plan for 2040, suggests that the city’s goal is to address the past of Okanagan by honoring our rich heritage while at the same time “leading our local indigenous communities.” follows on the path of reconciliation “.
In 2017 and 2018, educational workshops based on traditional En’owkinwixw learning circles were developed in cooperation with Syilx / Okanagan educators.
About 70 employees took part in these workshops.
“Territorial Recognition Resources were also made available to all city workers, providing information on the traditional Syilx territories and First Nations member bands, as well as a reference to other policy initiatives and programs that other communities are promoting to improve their indigenous relationships “says the report.
“Since the workshops, the focus has been on self-study and personal responsibility for learning the history of the indigenous peoples in Canada and the calls of the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions to action.
“However, the staff feel that there is a need and an opportunity to move the city beyond self-directed learning at the staff level to build broader organizational skills on indigenous relationships and cultural awareness.”
Staff also suggest participating in any regional effort to implement the Call to Action with the West Bank First Nations and the Okanagan Indian Band.
“While it is recognized that each community has individual opportunities to advance their own initiatives, relationships, and education, regional discussions with other local governments, the health department, post-secondary agencies, and industry can have some benefits.”
