Fort Frances council to discuss draft Reconciliation policy

Fort Frances town council will receive a draft Reconciliation Policy on Monday.

It was drafted by the town’s Indigenous Relations Advisory Committee and aims to guide council and the town in reconciliation efforts with Indigenous people.

The policy includes a commitment from the town to continue ongoing dialogue with area First Nations to further positive relations and partnerships.

It calls on the municipal government to partner with local Indigenous communities on potential shared services and economic opportunities.

It also looks to the town to advocate or support the advocacy of the local Indigenous people, groups, organizations and communities through resolutions.

The policy allows for cultural training of members of council and staff, and the use of Anishinaabemowin and Michif languages on signage, documents and marketing.

The town would also endorse all 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, which explored the residential school system, and commit to the actions specific to the municipal government level.

Town council is being presented with a resolution at its Monday night meeting that addresses that.

The policy also requires the town to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and commit to actions that pertain to the municipal level.

It also ensures the town officially recognizes National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and National Indigenous Peoples Day through proclamations and flag raisings, without requests through the town’s Flag Raising and Proclamation Policy.

The Committee recommends that the town get further input before implementing.

Administration sees that many of the actions could be carried out more immediately while seeking input.