- Hub staff

Councillor Carol Merton gave notice at the last Owen Sound City Council meeting that she would be bringing forward a motion concerning commitment to action on reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.  The Councillor's preamble is quoted here, followed by the motion, which did not pass at this evening's council meeting, in a 4 to 3 recorded vote.

The motion presented tonight represents a tangible sign of the ongoing commitment of the City of Owen Sound to the continuing work of reconciliation with the Indigenous Peoples of Canada.

A land acknowledgement is a reminder of our responsibility and duty for consultation with Indigenous peoples as traditional stewards of the land and ongoing relationship building through education about Indigenous peoples, their culture and history.

A land acknowledgement is not something you “just do” or recite or speak from rote before a meeting, event or gathering. It is a reflective process where we intentionally and with mindfulness recognize on whose traditional territories we work, live and play. It demonstrates the recognition and respect for Indigenous peoples, both in the past and the present and the contributions they have made and continue to make to our communities and the nation.

Let us remember that words matter and actions speak. We are at an important historic and inspirational time in Canada. Our new Governor General, Mary Simon, a distinguished Inuk leader and Canadian diplomat, is the first Indigenous person appointed to that role. Her own hope is to strengthen the ongoing work of reconciliation.

"THAT City Council:

1. Directs staff to include in the Procedural By-law review report scheduled to come to Council at the August 30, 2021 meeting:
1. An expansion of the current land acknowledgement practice by beginning each Council meeting, including Committee and Public meetings, with an appropriate land acknowledgement; and
2. That the full text of the land acknowledgement be incorporated in the minutes of each meeting;

2. Directs staff to include a land acknowledgement on the City website; and

3. Directs staff to include actions that will support the work of reconciliation through the Strategic Plan Re-fresh, Safe City, Key Result No. 4 being the creation of a comprehensive corporate equity, diversity and inclusion strategy by December 2022."This action on our part is our opportunity to continue to step forward as we continue to work toward reconciliation and right relationship with the Indigenous Peoples of Canada.