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(Fort McMurray AB – February 9, 2023) A new agreement between the Municipality and a First Nation is a significant step towards the creation of the first urban reserve in Alberta.
On Tuesday, February 7, Council approved the signing of a Municipal Services Agreement with the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation for 2020 Taiganova Crescent—the Acden Lot.
The decision marked the first time Council has formally entered into a municipal services agreement with a First Nation for an addition to reserve.
Wood Buffalo a leading Canadian municipality on truth and reconciliation response
The Feb. 7 Special Council Meeting also heard an update on the Municipality’s response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Calls to Action.
The Municipality has worked to implement the Calls to Action and incorporate truth and reconciliation into its organizational structure in collaboration with Indigenous communities and organizations.
The annual update was a follow-up to A Collaborative Pathway Forward, the Municipality’s response to the TRC published last year. The update reported on progress made in 2022 and shared the results of a third-party benchmarking report on the RMWB’s commitment.
Out of the 57 Canadian municipalities examined, the RMWB had identified the most TRC Calls to Action for a population of its size, second in Canada only to the City of Edmonton,
The report noted that Wood Buffalo was also one of a few to formalize a commitment to reconciliation through the implementation of a reconciliation framework.
“We recognize and understand that our path to truth and reconciliation is a journey that is led by the Indigenous communities and Peoples in this region,” said Dennis Fraser, Director, Indigenous and Rural Relations. “While we are heartened to know we are leaders in these efforts, the truest testament of our work can only come from them. We are grateful for their guidance and patience as we all work together to make reconciliation a reality.”
To learn more about the Municipality’s work and commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, visit rmwb.ca/trc
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