Category: Reconciliation
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Election 2019 Candidates Listening Session: Focus on the Future
“Choose forward.” “Not left. Not right. Forward together.” “In it for you.” “It’s time for you to get ahead.” Looking carefully at the slogans of the four main political parties in English Canada, it’s clear that this October’s election is about the future. Thankfully campaigns are about more than slogans. In my experience they’re…
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Ambrose Place: Love and Decolonizing Housing, Health and Wellness
I had an incredible experience earlier this week that I’m really excited to share. I was in a situation where I was expecting one thing and something completely different happened. In the space between expectation and experience, there was inspiration, love and great deal of learning. I was invited by Fran Hunt-Jinnochi, Executive Director of…
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Reconciliation is a learning process for us all
This article was first published in the Times Colonist August 29, 2018, 12:17 AM. Reconciliation with Indigenous communities is an important undertaking in Canada today. What reconciliation looks like, and how we build trust in order to move forward to create a future of equal opportunity and respect, is an uncharted journey guided largely by…
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Reconciliation and Removal of John A. MacDonald Statue from Steps of City Hall
In 2017 the City of Victoria began a formal process of reconciliation with the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, the Lekwungen speaking peoples on whose homeland the City is founded. When the City first approached the Nations, it was in a very colonial way, asking them to sit on a “reconciliation task force.” Through conversation we…
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New housing for Indigenous women facing homelessness
This is a project I’ve been working on with the Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness for a very short time! It’s good to see it come to fruition so quickly. The Government of British Columbia is partnering with the City of Victoria, Atira Women’s Resource Society and the Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness, to build new modular…
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Our Thoughts Are with the Esquimalt Nation upon Chief Andy Thomas Sinoopun Passing
Saturday, April 7, 2018 Today, we lost a great man and leader, Chief Andrew Thomas/Sinoopun of the Esquimalt Nation. Chief Thomas was a champion for his people. Grappling with the ongoing legacy of colonialism, he became dedicated to ensuring a prosperous future for the youth of his community. He was also a very personable, funny…
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Wholehearted Support for Songhees Games Bid
Something remarkable happened in Victoria recently. Late last Monday morning I walked into the Songhees Cultural Centre on the lower floor of the Steamship Terminal Building in the inner harbour. I’m not sure what I was expecting. But I was thrilled to see such a packed room. And happy to see so many of my…
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Victoria Commences its Witness Reconciliation Program
On January 1, 2017 at the City of Victoria’s annual New Year’s Day Levee, and in the presence of local First Nations, City Council proclaimed 2017 a Year of Reconciliation. Since that time, Council has been in conversation with the Chiefs of the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations on how best to approach the work of…
