City of Vancouver proclaimed Reconciliation Week with First Nations, Inuit and Metis people
Press Release from Reconciliation Canada
October 4, 2012
CITY OF VANCOUVER ISSUES PROCLAMATION FOR RECONCILIATION WEEK
Vancouver, BC (Coast Salish Territories) - The City of Vancouver has proclaimed Reconciliation Week with First Nations, Inuit and Metis people starting Oct 1, 2012 (see below).
The proclamation was initiated with the support and encouragement of Aboriginal leaders, organizations, churches and other faith based groups who are engaged in a coordinated response, through the establishment of Reconciliation Canada, to the legacy of the Indian Residential school system in British Columbia.
The City of Vancouver will build on civic initiatives to support reconciliation by all the parties. The objectives of Reconciliation Canada are supported by survivors of Indian residential schools, the First Nations Summit, the BC Assembly of First Nations, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, the Metro Vancouver Urban Aboriginal Executive Council as well as by the Anglican, Presbyterian, United and Roman Catholic churches and other faith based groups.
Reconciliation Canada is an Aboriginal led initiative that is collaborating with a diverse group of partners to facilitate a reconciliation process that creates better relationships between Aboriginal peoples and all Canadians. Reconciliation Canada is set to unveil a community engagement process that calls on all Canadians to participate. This year long community engagement strategy will:
* Deliver a safe learning opportunity for a diversity of faith, cultures and organizations to gain an understanding of one another's shared history beginning with the stories of Aboriginal people and the Indian residential school system.
* Engage people from every level of society in open and honest dialogue about reconciliation and the unique contributions our diverse histories and experiences offer in building resilient communities.
* Catalyze a new way forward in the relationships between Aboriginal peoples and Canadians that facilitates a better, stronger Canada for all.
* Promote a mass Walk for Reconciliation through the streets of Vancouver, a Canoe Gathering supported by other ocean going vessels on the shores of English Bay, a Celebration and Ceremony at BC Place with noted dignitaries and celebrities all to take place in conjunction with the September 2013 BC National Truth and Reconciliation Event.
"The Initiatives of Reconciliation Canada are a national, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the churches and people of Canada. We do not want any British Columbians to be unaware of the sad legacy of the Indian Residential School system and, yet, what is also now possible as we forge a new partnership of healing and reconciliation between the Indigenous post-contact peoples of Canada, walking together in more equal and mutually productive ways" says Hans Kouwenberg, Chair of the Ecumenical Advocates.
For more information contact Reconciliation Canada representatives:
Karen Joseph, Executive Director Chris Little, Director of Operations
778-231-2115 (604) 787-1064
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