The City of Greater Sudbury is putting together an Indigenous Advisory Panel.
Mayor Paul Lefebvre tabled a successful motion to create the panel at Tuesday’s city council meeting, during which he explained his motivations.
“I have many engagements with Indigenous partners in our community, and I just feel that it’s important now to formalize that relationship and to actually get the public to see the efforts that are being made and the great relationship building that we are doing, and how we’re learning together,” he said.
“This is one way that we could showcase that and be transparent with the public on our calls to action as a community, and certainly working with our Indigenous community members in our city as well as our adjacent reserves/communities we deal with on a regular basis.”
Lefebvre said that he anticipates seeing the panel get together on at least a quarterly basis, with their first meeting expected to take place later this year.
The mayor will sit on the panel to help get things off the ground, and up to two members of city council, including the mayor, are allowed to be members, which is to have a maximum of 12 members.
Among the panel’s key goals, according to the preamble to Lefebvre’s motion, is to fulfill the city’s Strategic Plan to strengthen Indigenous relations, which include work to “establish and implement an organizational plan to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action.”
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 94 Calls to Action were issued in 2015. They address a wide range of issues with an underlying goal “to redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation.”
The commission spent six years travelling across Canada, during which they heard from more than 6,500 people. In addition to their 94 Calls to Action, their work is highlighted in a series of reports, which are available by clicking here.
The Indigenous Advisory Panel’s mandate is “To provide guidance to the City of Greater Sudbury in developing and implementing policies, processes, and initiatives that are inclusive of Indigenous community members, ensuring active engagement in responding to the Calls to Action identified by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.”
Its primary objectives are:
- To provide insight and guidance on developing policies, procedures, and initiatives that ensure the inclusivity of Indigenous community members.
- To guide the city in creating training and tools to enhance awareness, understanding, and knowledge of Indigenous relations for the community and City of Greater Sudbury employees.
- To share information on accessing resources to improve the City of Greater Sudbury’s approach to Indigenous relations, including drummers, firekeepers, speakers, translators, and other resources.
- To offer guidance on developing and reviewing documents and guidelines within the scope of Indigenous relations.
- To provide input on planning and executing events with Indigenous content.
In addition to a maximum of two members of city council, the panel of up to 12 members will consist of members appointed by their community or agency, including:
- Atikameksheng Anishnawbek: One staff and one elder/knowledge keeper
- Wahnapitae First Nation: One staff and one elder/knowledge keeper
- Nogdawindamin Family and Community Services (one)
- N’Swakamok Indigenous Friendship Centre (one)
- Kina Gbezhgomi Child and Family Services (one)
- Shkagamik-Kew Health Centre (one)
- Youth representatives, to be selected by panel members (two)
The city’s advisory panels provide advice, information and expertise to the city on various areas of focus. There are 10 existing panels, including the Accessibility Advisory Panel, Bell Park Advisory Panel, Community Safety and Well-Being Advisory Panel, Development Liaison Advisory Panel, Lively Recreation Advisory Panel, Museum and Heritage Advisory Panel, Older Adult Advisory Panel, Solid Waste Advisory Panel, VETAC - Regreening Advisory Panel and the Youth Advisory Panel.
Tyler Clarke covers city hall and political affairs for Sudbury.com.