Local Indigenous strategy moves forward

At the Jan. 13 committee of the whole meeting, council deferred receiving the terms of reference for the Indigenous Reconciliation Strategy Task Force until at least the March regular meeting to allow a review from an Indigenous consultant.

The task force is one component of the city’s broader reconciliation strategy, which is aimed at providing a clear framework for the city to implement the actions of the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission final report, while also supporting municipal initiatives, processes and policies that advance reconciliation with First Nations communities in Kawartha Lakes.

Ward 3 Coun. Mike Perry, a citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario, told council that consultation with local Indigenous Peoples should take place before the terms of reference are received.

He added that an Indigenous consultant will be reviewing the design and implementation of the strategy at the end of January and urged council to defer receiving the terms of reference until the consultant has completed that review.

“My motion today would be that we simply hold this back (and) see what the consultant has to say, because we really want to find the correct tool to make sure that Indigenous Peoples are included and participate fully in this process,” Perry told council.

Perry’s motion was seconded by Ward 2 Coun. Pat Warren.

“I support it 100 per cent that we need a bit more input in how this is going to be rolled out,” she said.