The City of Saskatoon is looking to adopt and implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, as stated in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Call to Action 43 where the Government of Canada must 鈥渇ully adopt and implement the UN declaration鈥檚 鈥渇ramework for reconciliation.鈥�
Mayor Charlie Clark, on a Facebook post, said they have been taking important steps toward truth and reconciliation, the UNDRIP would help create a clearer framework on these efforts.
鈥淭he TRC considers 鈥榬econciliation鈥� to be an ongoing process of establishing and maintaining respectful relationships at all levels of Canadian society.
鈥淭he Commission therefore believes that the UNDRIP is the appropriate framework for reconciliation in 21st century Canada.鈥�
Clark added that Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand along with local Elders and city leaders expressed their support and emphasized on the importance that Saskatoon moved forward on what was stated on the UNDRIP.
鈥淭his is why I brought this motion forward to explore how to properly adopt and implement [the] UNDRIP in Saskatoon and why I am proud that the [city] council passed,鈥� said Clark.
On Monday, during the Governance and Priorities Committee meeting, the 10-member City Council unanimously voted to proceed having a report written on how to implement the UNDRIP in Saskatoon.
鈥淓ach government has to establish its own path forward working with local Indigenous partners and partners throughout the community. The City can鈥檛 do it alone,鈥� added Clark.
鈥淲e are on the front lines of this work in the country and can show a constructive way forward with the right partnerships, community support, and good intentions.鈥�
