Reconciliation Regina, in partnership with the City of Regina, has recently released its 2020 – 2021 Community Action Plan
- Jeanelle Mandes | August 20, 2020
“The Community Action Plan meets the objectives of the 2016 Council motion that called for actions, that the City of Regina could adopt to support the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission,” said Mayor Michael Fougere in a media release. “This ‘made in Regina’ Plan is supported by Indigenous leaders and represents the continuation of our work to ensure reconciliation continues as a living, evolving process.”
The Community Action Plan represents more than two years of community discussions, information sharing, and joint activities and initiatives. The Plan demonstrates the support of the community towards reconciliation and the need to move forward to heal and strengthen our community.
“This Plan is the beginning of a journey that celebrates our diverse cultures, strength, resilience, respect, and understanding of others,” added Gillis Lavalley, Reconciliation Regina Board Chair. “Although there is still much more work to do, this is a step towards a more inclusive, vibrant community shared equally by all.”
Reconciliation Regina was established in the spring of 2016 after mayor Fougere moved an unanimously approved Council Motion directing City Administration to work with the community and Indigenous leaders to respond to the Calls to Action.
A year later, Reconciliation Regina had its first gathering where participants had discussions which included the creation of a community blueprint or action plan to respond to the Commission’s Calls to Action.
Reconciliation Regina met a few times after their first gathering and today they are comprised of over 70 community leaders, organizations, educators, Elders/Knowledge Keepers, newcomers, survivors, healers, cultural and arts organizations, governments, service agencies, faith groups and individuals who are committed to working in partnership towards the fulfillment of the Calls to Action and the implementation of a Community Action Plan (CAP).
The 25-page document highlights context such as the history of Indigenous peoples, residential schools, and the Riel Resistance to name a few. The plan includes the Reconciliation Regina’s vision, mission, initiatives and projects, public 2018 online survey results (from 528 completed responses), the Creation of a “Made in Regina” Community Action Plan, and four sections within the Community Action Plan. Those sections consist of; relationships, respect, opportunities, and tracking progress and reporting.
Some of the Reconciliation Regina consists of launching the “Read for Reconciliation” recommended reading list in partnership with the Regina Public Library, host and actively participate in community events such as the National Indigenous Peoples Day events, Orange Shirt Day, and the annual Smudge Walk developed an Elders and Traditional Knowledge Keepers Advisory Circle and successfully received a grant through the Government of Canada Department for Women and Gender Equality Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) Commemoration Fund to pursue the development of a commemorative monument that will honour the lives and legacies of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
One of the online survey questions was “how should we celebrate the contributions made
by Indigenous peoples in our community?” The responses Reconciliation Regina received were; design public spaces designed for the general public to visit and learn about contributions by Indigenous Peoples, through public education and public acknowledgment, sharing good news and success stories, painting a good positive narrative and landmarks, street signs, historically significant areas identified, promote everyday leaders in arts, science, education, etc.
The ongoing and future events of Reconciliation Regina stated in the Community Action Plan are:
- Completed the Reconciliation Regina Community Action Plan – a “Made in Regina” living document focused on redressing the legacy of residential schools and advancing the process of reconciliation
- Reconciliation Regina annual event that will promote healing, create awareness, and encourage other community stakeholders to participate in Reconciliation Regina's reconciliation efforts and initiatives.
- Continually expanding the Community Champions group and opportunities to gather together for events resulting in a better understanding of the past and to create a more positive respectful community for future generations.
- Development of a community awareness and education strategy that will directly align and reflect the organization's vision, values, and mission.
- Ongoing community engagement to share knowledge, information, mentorship, and culture.
- Collection of individual and organizational actions responding to the TRC Calls to Actions are documented, monitored, evaluated, and updated through the living Community Action Plan.
Reconciliation Regina, Inc. is an incorporated non-profit organization, consisting of 70 Community Champions. Read the Community Action Plan, and for more information, visit reconciliationregina.com.