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Indigenous Program Funding
Notice given by: Mayor Heron
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BUDGET POSTPONED MOTION:
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That $181,600 be added to the budget to fund the 1 FTE within the Indigenous Program.
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Administration’s Understanding of the Intent of the Motion:
There is currently no assigned resource to the Indigenous portfolio. Motion is intended to consider the growing demands, both internally and externally, and community expectations of the Indigenous portfolio. In addition to a FTE, costs associated also include required program dollars and would address:
-reconciliation efforts
-community relations and fostering/restoring right relations
-community ceremony and awareness events
-ongoing support to the potential Committee of Council (if approved in Q1 2022, as per July 5, 2021 motion) and required honoraria
-supporting local organizations such as the Métis Local, Michif Cultural Connections, Winds of Change Indigenous Alliance, the Inuit Community Development and Education Foundation, and Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women
-fostering regional collaboration with First Nations Communities
-cultural initiatives
-economic development opportunities
-other, emerging opportunities
Operational or Organizational Impacts if Motion is Approved:
-FTE added to the Community Relations team
-redirect Indigenous Relations portfolio workload from Senior Manager, Community Relations to the new FTE
-improve service level delivery internally with other departments, and externally with the local community and regional/intergovernmentally
-establish dedicated tangible service level to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's of Canada Calls to Action and St. Albert's legacy of Residential Schools
-maintain implementation of the Payhonin report recommendations
-ability to dedicate time and work to improve/establish important relationships with particular groups (i.e. Métis Local 1904, Poundmaker's Lodge, surrounding First Nations, Treaty Relationship Renewal Network, etc.) that are necessary for future growth
-provide required support and administration for the potential Committee of Council, including required honoraria
-dedication to necessary nurturing of long-standing relationships with Indigenous community members who the City has relied on heavily over the years
-ability to support economic development and alternative revenue generation efforts
Financial Implications of Motions:
Funding required is a new ask and would be added to the 2022 tax requirement
Stakeholder Consultations:
Outcomes from previous stakeholder engagements, such as the Payhonin Reconciliation St. Albert Engagement Report (2019), recommend and support the motion of a dedicated FTE to the Indigenous Relations Portfolio.
The interim Indigenous Relations Coordinator position, set to expire December 2021, has fostered on-going engagement opportunities and building relationships through the ongoing participation in St. Albert-Sturgeon County Métis Local, Treaty Relationship Renewal Network, and Edmonton Indigenous Tourism Working Group meetings. Further relationships have been developed via ongoing collaboration with various local Indigenous organizations such as the Winds of Change Indigenous Alliance, Inuit Community Development and Education Foundation, Michif Cultural Connections, Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women, Métis Nation of Alberta, etc.
This open dialogue, engagement and fostering of relationships can only be sustained with a dedicated FTE.
Background:
We are unable to maintain current services without the FTE and program dollars. This would prevent our ability to further our reconciliation efforts, build relationships, conduct events and ceremony, and explore economic development opportunities.
The expense related to the FTE are approximately $110,000 and programs dollars required are approximately $71,000 (this includes honoraria for the Committee of Council if established, hosting of annual Indigenous economic development initiatives, costs associated with hosting annual ceremony and events, additional consultation for community and economic development initiatives, and potential expenses related to monitoring costs for areas of concern regarding unmarked graves).
Payhonin Reconciliation St. Albert Engagement Report (2019) - Attached Report
Council motion approving funding of $100,000 for emergent Indigenous needs (July 5, 2021) - Attached City Council Meeting Minutes
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action (2015) - Attached Report
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Report Date: November 5, 2021
Author(s): Cindy de Bruijn, Senior Manager Community Relations
Committee/Department: DCAO
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer: Kerry Hilts
Chief Administrative Officer: Kevin Scoble