Union of BC Municipalities Reconciliation Canada Partnership Agreement

Transcription

1 Union of BC Municipalities Reconciliation Canada Partnership Agreement Purpose This Partnership Outline is made on September 2, 2014 between: The Union of British Columbia Municipalities ( UBCM ) and Reconciliation Canada, hereafter also referred to as the Parties, and is intended to solidify and formalize partnership activities undertaken jointly by these organizations. Pursuant to their shared objectives of creating strong, respectful, vibrant, and sustainable communities in British Columbia, UBCM and Reconciliation Canada have agreed to work in an on- going, collaborative manner to initiate, foster, and support reconciliation initiatives and activities between Aboriginal peoples and all Canadians in communities throughout BC. Background Reconciliation Canada Reconciliation Canada is an Aboriginal- led, non- partisan initiative that promotes reconciliation by building new relationships among Aboriginal peoples and all Canadians relationships built on a foundation of openness, dignity, understanding and hope. Reconciliation Canada was formed in 2012 to promote reconciliation by catalyzing and facilitating dialogue, relationships and meaningful partnerships between and among the individuals, organizations, corporations and governments of our multi- cultural and multi- faith communities. Reconciliation Canada is a charitable project formed as a collaboration between Tides Canada Initiatives Society and the Indian Residential School Survivors Society. Registration as an independent, charitable not- for- profit society is currently in process. 1

2 UBCM UBCM is an organization incorporated by an Act of the provincial legislature to provide a common voice for local government. Its vision is to most effectively represent and serve all local governments in BC. UBCM has 195 members, including 6 post- treaty First Nations, and represents 100% of BC local governments. UBCM s First Nations Relations Committee oversees all of the organization s policy development work related to Aboriginal issues, including treaty negotiations, self- government and taxation. The Committee's key role is to focus on relationship building between First Nation and local governments through best practices and initiatives such as the Community- to- Community Forum program. UBCM also seeks to support local governments efforts to strengthen relationships between and among Aboriginal and non- Aboriginal residents and visitors in their communities. The 2013 UBCM Convention overlapped with Reconciliation Week, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission National event in Vancouver and the Week of Reconciliation Events produced by Reconciliation Canada. In recognition of this historic event, on September 18, 2013, the UBCM assembly declared a Year of Reconciliation with First Nations across British Columbia, as follows: WHEREAS the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, with the support of Reconciliation Canada, have announced that its National Event for BC take place in the City of Vancouver from September 16 to 22, 2013; and WHEREAS the Union of British Columbia Municipalities has actively engaged with First Nations communities and peoples through the work being done by its own First Nations Relations Committee; and WHEREAS the City of Vancouver, the host community for this year's Union of British Columbia Municipalities Annual Convention, and many other communities have declared this year to be their Year of Reconciliation with First Nations peoples and communities; and WHEREAS making such a commitment is the first step in fostering a new relationship based in respect and honesty, BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of British Columbia Municipalities also declare this year, 2013, as its year of Reconciliation with First Nations across British Columbia In follow- up to this member direction, UBCM is looking to foster opportunities for reconciliation between local government and First Nation representatives across BC. 2

3 Understanding of UBCM and Reconciliation Canada Roles Within the scope of the First Nations Relations Committee s work, and in alignment with UBCM member direction and policy., UBCM will: Advocate for and support Reconciliation Canada s efforts to engage British Columbians and all Canadians in reconciliation through the New Way Forward initiatives (Appendix A), and other related activities, in BC communities and through the broader UBCM network. Examples of this support may include: facilitating dialogue with local government members and other key contacts, promotion through UBCM s member communications, advocating for initiatives to other orders of government, and access to UBCM staff resources. Rely on the experience and expertise available through this Partnership to assist in development and implementation of its future reconciliation policy directions, initiatives, and activities. Reconciliation Canada will: Actively support UBCM s commitment to reconciliation and its Year of Reconciliation initiatives to foster new relationships with First Nations across BC. Examples of this support may include: UBCM Convention participation and/or workshop facilitation, relationship- building between UBCM and Reconciliation Canada networks, and promotion of partnership activities through Reconciliation Canada communications channels. With UBCM s support, deliver the New Way Forward initiatives in BC communities to catalyze ongoing reconciliation dialogue, action, and partnerships within and among those communities. Rely on the experience and expertise available through this Partnership to grow its reach and relationships with municipal and community leaders across BC and Canada. The Parties to this agreement anticipate that the delivery of some of the above- contemplated activities will involve additional partners and thus future project- specific agreements including the additional partners are contemplated. Term This Partnership Agreement is for a fixed term commencing on September 2, 2014 and ending on December 31, 2016, at which point the Parties agree in good faith to mutually review the Partnership Agreement. Signatures 3

4 Appendix A New Way Forward Initiatives Reconciliation Canada is connecting with and engaging Canadians in reconciliation through the New Way Forward Initiatives. The goal of all initiatives is to provide experiential and transformative experiences that lead to action on reconciliation. Public Awareness & Community Outreach - Continued public awareness and interactive community outreach to promote a shared understanding of our collective history. This may include; a National Summit, speaking engagement, seminars, dialogue series, partnerships, strategic communications, a National Day of Dialogue, a national event to demonstrate Canadians commitment to reconciliation. Reconciliation Dialogue Workshops & Action Plans Targeting leaders in communities, organizations, corporations and among youth, these workshops provide the opportunity for participants to discuss issues related to reconciliation, explore our collective shared history and take positive steps towards healing, honouring diversity and building resilience. The sessions bring diverse participants (leaders from cultural groups, government, industry, faith- based groups, community organizations, justice, education, health, etc.) together in a safe environment that allows for meaningful dialogue and relationship building. This is an opportunity to share stories of resilience and explore pathways to reconciliation including the development of concrete Reconciliation Action Plans. Reconciliation Canada will provide follow- up and guidance for participant Reconciliation Action Plans. Reconciliation Canada will also train Reconciliation Dialogue Workshop Facilitators to facilitate ongoing workshops in their local communities to ensure the process is sustainable. The Workshops are modeled on an Aboriginal circle process that follows Aboriginal protocols to create a sacred space for open and honest dialogue. Each workshop has approximately 60 selected participants including leaders from government, justice, education, cultural organizations, community organizations, faith- based groups and industry. This allows for broad dissemination of the message and maximizes the opportunity for positive change in communities. Past experience and participant feedback demonstrates that these sessions provide transformative experiences that lead to positive change in participants, their families, respective organizations and communities. Our Workshops include a specific stream of Youth Dialogue Workshops. Reconciliation- Based Leadership Training & Core Competencies Assessment - Reconciliation- based leadership is a form of values- based leadership that trains leaders to view their world through a lens of reconciliation. This program is targeted to existing and emerging youth, community and organization leaders to develop values- based leadership skills with a specific focus on reconciliation. In conjunction with the Leadership Training, Reconciliation Canada will assist organizations with assessments of core reconciliation competencies, the development of reconciliation goals and 4

5 development of roadmaps to guide reconciliation initiatives. Reconciliation Leaders will promote community- based, community- driven reconciliation processes in their respective organizations and communities. This will include a specific stream that focuses on emerging youth leaders. Sustainable Economic Reconciliation Dialogue Sessions & Action Plans Reconciliation workshops specifically focused on economic reconciliation bring together stakeholders for creative dialogue and exploration of ways to form meaningful relationships and partnerships. Based on the shared values of reconciliation, these workshops will serve as the starting point for the co- development of Sustainable Economic Reconciliation Action Plans. Elevating the goals of the Reconciliation Action Plan program in Australia, respective parties will collaborate to develop Reconciliation Action Plans that consider the social, environmental and economic factors to create sustainable shared prosperity and improve educational achievement, increase workforce participation and build economic security for all parties involved. 5