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 “fully adopt and implement the UN declaration’s “framework for reconciliation.”
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.
“The TRC considers ‘reconciliation’ to be an ongoing process of establishing and maintaining respectful relationships at all levels of Canadian society.
“The Commission therefore believes that the UNDRIP is the appropriate framework for reconciliation in 21st century Canada.”
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.
“This 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,” 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.
“Each government has to establish its own path forward working with local Indigenous partners and partners throughout the community. The City can’t do it alone,” added Clark.
“We 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.”
