Volunteers sought for Truth and Reconciliation Week

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This article was published 07/09/2022 (1262 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples’ Council is still looking for volunteers for Truth and Reconciliation Week later this month, its community co-ordinator told Brandon City Council Tuesday evening.

During a report on the council’s activities by Michèle LeTourneau, she presented councillors with the schedule for Truth and Reconciliation Week, which was reported by the Sun last week.

The city and BUAPC won an award from the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators for last year’s event.

According to LeTourneau, volunteers are still being sought for various activities during the event, Sept. 27-30.

LeTourneau also outlined BUAPC events in recent months, such as the community feast in May that was part of the city plan consultations currently underway.

She said city manager Ron Bowles was happy with the result of that event and asked BUAPC to co-ordinate a similar gathering to engage residents with the work being done by the downtown safety and wellness task force.

That event is scheduled for Sept. 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., said Coun. Bruce Luebke (South Centre).

Delivering an update on behalf of the task force, Luebke said members took the summer off and are now resuming regular meetings.

A cleaning program was launched downtown for businesses affected by graffiti, a suggestion made by the task force.

Another event held by BUAPC was reconciliation lessons with Tim O’Loan, who LeTourneau said assisted Murray Sinclair with his work on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

In June, BUAPC worked with a Winnipeg-based organization called Circles for Reconciliation, which brings together groups made up by an equal number of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to discuss topics relating to reconciliation.

The co-ordinator also spoke about BUAPC work on finding solutions to implement affordable housing in Brandon, which included the involvement of representatives from the Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation, Youth for Christ, the John Howard Society, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Brandon East Progressive Conservative MLA Len Isleifson.

After the city voted to amend its oath of office to include a reference to following the treaties signed with Indigenous people in Manitoba, LeTourneau said an e-learning experience is being developed to educate locals about them.

The addition of a new honorary name for Grand Valley Road was on the agenda of Tuesday’s meeting, but the motion had not come to the table by press time.

The proposed honorary name is “Wokiksuye Canku,” a Dakota-language phrase meaning “Remembrance Trail.” It was chosen to honour the children who were affected by the former Brandon residential school.

“As one elder put it, driving down Grand Valley Road as a survivor is not grand for her,” LeTourneau said during the meeting.

According to LeTourneau, signs will be placed to acknowledge the honorary name at both entrances to the road, including in the west end located within the RM of Cornwallis, once the name is approved.

During the councillors’ inquiries section of the meeting, Coun. Kris Desjarlais (Rosser) asked city administration about what can be done about the abandoned and decaying Esso gas station on Rosser Avenue.

General manager of corporate services Dean Hammond said administration would be happy to provide a report on options for the privately owned land, but added that the discussion over the report would have to be held in-camera.

Coun. Jan Chaboyer (Green Acres) expressed support for dealing with abandoned plots of land like that property, and asked if the report could investigate the feasibility of converting those lots into green spaces or other community-focused infrastructure.

Abandoned brown fields like the former Esso lot aren’t isolated to Brandon, said Coun. Barry Cullen (Victoria), who asked about the possibility of consulting with other municipalities and the provincial government on the subject.

Council passed a motion unanimously for a report on the land to be prepared for the Sept. 19 council meeting.

For the upcoming municipal election, Coun. Shawn Berry (Linden Lanes) asked if plebiscite questions could be included on the ballot for next month’s municipal election.

Answering on behalf of senior election official Heather Ewasiuk, Hammond said it would be possible but must be submitted by Sept. 22 to be included on the ballots ordered by the city.

Berry encouraged his colleagues to brainstorm possible questions before the next council meeting on Sept. 19.

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