Saugeen Ojibway Nation Territory Map (Image from Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre)
Bruce County is endorsing its Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan.
CAO Christine MacDonald says the county endorsed the Indigenous Reconciliation Framework and the Saugeen Anishnaabek Reconciliation Pathway and Action Plan at a special joint council meeting on July 4. Council members from the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation and Saugeen First Nation were also present.
“Bruce County is committed to pursuing and embracing its relationships and exploring reconciliation pathways, and so our action plan allows us to appropriately reflect distinct rights, cultures, histories, and experiences of Indigenous people in Bruce County,” says MacDonald.
The plan has been in the works for a little over two years, which has included consultations with Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON).
She says the reconciliation framework document helps the county understand the commitment to reconciliation action, while the pathway document is more specific to the Anishnaabek people.
“The two documents together form the beginning of our next phase of work and implementation,” says MacDonald. “We will begin to work on the specific actions that are outlined in the document and staff will also continue to work with other Indigenous serving organizations to create specific pathways of work.”
While the work is ongoing, she says some of the actions featured in the plan include building and strengthening relationships through the promotion of reconciliation, increasing knowledge, understanding and celebration of the history, heritage and culture of the SON, honouring Indigenous relationships with nature, and providing equitable access to service.
“In terms of our approach, we want to pursue and embrace relationships and explore pathways with Indigenous people and organizations, and that those relationships are explored appropriately,” says MacDonald.
She says they plan to make regular annual updates and alter the action plan if needed.
Warden Chris Peabody adds, “this is the first milestone in the process of reconciliation with the Indigenous people of Bruce County, and importantly the Saugeen Ojibway Nation. There is much hard work ahead to realize the commitment made in this action plan.”
