City learning to listen to Aboriginals
Hamilton strategy being developed very slowly with plenty of consultation
If there’s one word to describe the pace of the city’s emerging urban indigenous strategy, it has to be unhurried.
The strategy aims to pinpoint ways the municipality can strengthen its working relationships with the 15,000 or more native people living in Hamilton.
But by the time the game plan is rolled out in late 2018, some two years will have passed from inception to implementation. Why such a long and drawn out process? In sum, consultation. In the wake of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) report on residential schools and its “calls to action” to redress historical wrongs done to Aboriginal peoples, the city clearly wants the strategy to be Indigenous-led.
According to Coun. Aidan Johnson, who originally proposed the idea in 2015, that means it’s going to take time for the blueprint to be developed properly and respectfully.
“Process counts in a very unique way when it comes to Indigenous context, which takes time,” Johnson said.
“It’s very important to listen. We’re finding out how to listen, real listening. Then, of course, you have to act.”
On Monday, Shylo Elmayan, senior project manager for the strategy, gave councillors their first overview of the unfolding process. It is, in fact, painstakingly consultative. Elmayan, an Anishinaabe native, clearly understands the importance of gathering feedback and listening to what the Aboriginal community itself has to say about accessing services and engaging with the city on pressing issues such as poverty and homelessness.
According to Elmayan, the plan will be assembled in three phases. This year includes establishing a governance body and guiding principles, identifying priority areas, and raising awareness of the work.
A key element is creating a “co-ordinating circle” to monitor the work plan and ensure it stays on track. The circle includes partners from the Hamilton executive directors’ Aboriginal coalition, the Hamilton Aboriginal advisory committee, and the Hamilton community legal clinic.
The second phase begin next year with working circles to review feedback and conduct further consultation on priority areas. The circles will meet regularly to consult with both the indigenous and nonindigenous community.
The findings and recommendations will be finalized from September to December, 2018. That’s when the strategy will be publicly unveiled, the process evaluated and implementation plans identified.
Johnson’s motion predated the TRC’s final report but the idea clearly anticipated its appeal for all governments, schools, churches and the private sector to repair and revitalize their relationships with natives.
As Elmayan notes, municipally that can mean promoting reconciliation through initiatives like training public sector workers on Aboriginal peoples and celebrating Aboriginal athletes.
Elmayan also points out that, significantly, the city is not starting from scratch on this file.
The city’s Aboriginal advisory committee — with Johnson and Matthew Green as council’s current liaisons — has been around for years. The city has also supported public education campaigns on the traumatic legacy of the residential school, worked with the Haudenosaunee on stewardship of the Red Hill Valley and collaborated with natives on federal homelessness funding.
Most recently, out of the $50 million council committed to spending on affordable housing over the next 10 years, it earmarked $10 million specifically for Indigenous-led initiatives.
Additionally, since January Mayor Fred Eisenberger has begun each council meeting by acknowledging it’s taking place on the “traditional territories” of the Mississauga and Haudenosaunee nations.
Unfortunately, the exact wording of Eisenberger’s statement apparently doesn’t sit well with the Mississaugas of the New Credit.
Not to worry. Johnson says it’s being worked on. Yes, appropriately enough, through respectful consultation.
Andrew Dreschel’s commentary appears Monday, Wednesday and Friday. adreschel@thespec.com 905-526-3495 @AndrewDreschel