Indigenous peoples from all parts of Canada make Edmonton their home. They have contributed immensely to the building of the city and continue to add to its economic success, cultural vibrancy, and national and international reputation for innovation and creativity. As a community, however, we must acknowledge that Indigenous Peoples have been denied their place here as well as the recognition of their many contributions to the city. 

We recognize that we have not respected Indigenous Peoples as true partners nor have included them in meaningful ways to address their concerns, needs, and search for economic and social justice. The City has made significant progress towards this goal through years of work, including the Indigenous Framework, and that work will be a solid foundation to build upon as we move forward.  

The following statements constitute a declaration of action that will lead the city on a path toward true reconciliation and right relations. These are the actions I commit to furthering hand-in-hand with the community if I am elected Mayor. I have been guided in developing these actions with dialogue and advice from a group of Indigenous leaders and colleagues. I commit to these actions as a starting place from which I hope to further engage with Indigenous leaders and community members to reconcile our relationship and to take action together. 

Reconciliation

• Create a Reconciliation Council with the city with Indigenous community leaders and governments to identify and incorporate those Calls to Action from the TRC Report, which fall within the city’s governing powers to implement and incorporate as policy direction and programs. This work has begun with the Indigenous Framework, but can be expanded and resourced. 
• Establish an annual review process and committee with Indigenous community leadership and governments to ensure the identified Calls to Action goals and objectives are moving forward.
• Support the search for unmarked and mass graves of Residential Schools and the Camsell Indian Hospital in the Edmonton region and advocate for other municipal regions to do the same.
• Create a committee that includes City Council members, Administration, the city police, and members of the Indigenous community leaders and governments to address Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls.

Right Relations

• Include Indigenous history in city programming, archives, city promotional materials, and tourism.
• Establish a process and a 4-year Indigenous Peoples report of concerns, needs, and recommendations as a guiding document for the city.
• Accept and Incorporate the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a framework for right relations.
• Expand operational support to the Indigenous Relations Office and move its reporting directly to the City Manager or City Council
• Create, with Indigenous community leaders and governments, an Indigenous Leadership Council to meet on a regular basis with city leadership to assess the state of city and Indigenous relations and address emerging issues.
• Create, with the Indigenous community leaders and governments, an Indigenous Elders Council to provide cultural and Indigenous knowledge guidance to the city.
• Annually celebrate Indigenous achievements and the city’s relationship with Indigenous peoples.