WINNIPEG – Today at a celebration at The Forks over 80 local organizations, businesses, groups, and individuals joined the City of Winnipeg in their commitment to the ongoing Journey of Reconciliation in the city by formally becoming partners of Winnipeg’s Indigenous Accord at a signing ceremony.
“Winnipeg’s first Indigenous Accord will help keep Winnipeg moving forward in strengthening our relationships with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples, organizations, and individuals,” said Mayor Brian Bowman.
“It will also encourage Indigenous and non-Indigenous Winnipeggers to work together in partnership and mutual respect as the Treaties first envisioned. As our city grows and its diversity continues to increase, this Accord will help strengthen relationships and provide an ongoing invitation for all Winnipeggers to join the City in its journey of reconciliation, and work together to make our community more inclusive as it was always meant to be.”
Mayor Bowman thanked the Mayor’s Indigenous Advisory Circle for their leadership and tireless work in developing the Accord, and recognized all City of Winnipeg Councillors who unanimously supported and passed the Accord in March.
The Accord will guide our shared commitment to the Journey of Reconciliation, and is rooted in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) 94 Calls to Action and is guided by the commitments and principles contained in the Accord.
“The Accord brings over 80 partners together from our community and is an important part of our shared Journey of Reconciliation,” said Kimberley Puhach, Chair of the Mayor’s Indigenous Advisory Circle (MIAC). “I am very pleased MIAC was able to lead this initiative with a spirit of shared responsibility, and want to thank my colleagues for their continued work and commitment in helping guide the growth of the Accord.”
As a living document, the Accord is not a single-time event, but an ongoing responsibility accepted by signatories, who through becoming partners to the Accord agree to report the success of their commitment to reconciliation and their future goals on an annual basis.
Collaboration with other organizations and groups, across sectors, and with Indigenous organizations, governments, and individuals is essential to the ongoing Journey of Reconciliation in Winnipeg to make our city a better place to live based on mutual respect, equal opportunity, and hope.
The City is accepting partner applications throughout the year. To view the Accord and submit your request to become a partner, please visit winnipeg.ca/indigenousaccord.
