Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was created to determine the truth about ... residential schools and
Notice of Motion Memorandum To: The District of Central Saanich Council From: Councillor Zeb King Subject: Municipal Response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action Background: Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was created to determine the truth about Canada's residential schools and establish a reconciliation process, and The TRC’s findings were released on June 2, 2015, and include 94 recommendations for action by all levels of government, including the following that are actionable by municipal governments; #43: We call upon federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments to fully adopt and implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as the framework for reconciliation. #47: We call upon federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments to repudiate concepts used to justify European sovereignty over Indigenous peoples and lands, such as the Doctrine of Discovery and terra nullius, and to reform those laws, government policies, and litigation strategies that continue to rely on such concepts. #57: We call upon federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments to provide education to public servants on the history of Aboriginal peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal–Crown relations. This will require skills- based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism. #75: We call upon the federal government to work with provincial, territorial, and municipal governments, churches, Aboriginal communities, former residential school students, and current landowners to develop and implement strategies and procedures for the ongoing identification, documentation, maintenance, commemoration, and protection of residential school cemeteries or other sites at which residential school children were buried. This is to include the provision of appropriate memorial ceremonies and commemorative markers to honour the deceased children. #77: We call upon provincial, territorial, municipal, and community archives to work collaboratively with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation to identify and collect copies of all records relevant to the history and legacy of the residential school system, and to provide these to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.
The District of Central Saanich is well prepared to join with other municipalities and take action on these recommendations. Relevance to Official Community Plan 7.2.1: Areas of Ecological Significance Policy 7: Encourage and, where feasible, participate in studies of sensitive environments in cooperation with Federal and Provincial agencies and non-governmental organizations. This may include data gathering and mapping related to natural habitats and environmentally sensitive areas. Tsartlip and Tsawout First Nations have maps that include traditional place names that can be used in educating the entire community. 7.2.6: Saanich Inlet, Cordova Channel/ Haro Strait Policy 5: Include First Nations in long term strategizing and planning. The Tsartlip boat ramp is highly used by the local community. 8.2.1 First Nations Policy 1: Endeavour to understand and consider First Nations’ perspectives when making decisions on land-use issues. Policy 2: Make every effort to build on the history of respect and mutual assistance that characterises the relationship between the municipality and the Tsartlip and Tsawout Nations. Policy 3: Endeavour to ensure that the municipal facilities and functions are welcoming to First Nations members of the community. 8.2.2 Protect Heritage Policy 6: Invite the Tsartlip and Tsawout First Nations to identify areas of significant cultural value that may warrant extra consideration and protection. Protect areas of significant cultural value such as burial grounds, outdoor gathering places, etc. Respectfully submitted,
Councillor Zeb King
NOTICE OF MOTION Re:
Municipal Response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action
For the December 21, 2015 Regular Council Meeting Submitted by Councillor Zeb King Whereas the following motion initiates next steps that are appropriate for municipalities after the release of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report of June 2, 2015; and, Whereas action is consistent with the five recommendations related to municipalities in the TRC report and provides opportunities to actualize policies in the District’s Official Community Plan; and, Whereas Central Saanich has continued to make an effort to improve relations between the municipality and First Nations; BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council ask the Chief Administrative Officer to consider the ‘calls to action’ in the Truth and Reconciliation final report, and with reference to policy documents such as the Official Community Plan, report back to Council before December 19, 2016, with options on how to move forward on the actions recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
