Getting a better understanding of aboriginal culture was a key topic at North Battleford city council Monday.
A couple of items on the agenda were focused on that topic. One is word the City has hired Straight Talk Aboriginal Awareness Training out of Saskatoon to make a two-hour presentation to City staff Jan. 26 at Don Ross Centre.
The training is developed from an aboriginal perspective and is normally a five-part series designed for anyone interested in aboriginal issues in western Canada. For this presentation there will be a history on treaties, the Métis, the Indian Act and residential schools, some cultural protocol and current initiatives that are helping change the community.
Director of Leisure Services Bill Samborski explained to reporters this presentation would provide bit of background into aboriginal issues and how that background affects their daily work.
The goal, he indicated, was to improve their service delivery.
“The hope is it will be a little bit more understanding and awareness and allow things to flow a little bit easier when we’re working with the different cultures,” said Samborski.
The other item discussed was the opening of the Walking With Our Sisters commemorative art installation, which runs at Chapel Gallery Jan. 15 to Feb. 7. The installation features more than 1,750 moccasin vamps that represent the unfinished lives of the women whose lives were cut short.
While it officially opens Friday, the public will be able to see the exhibit starting Thursday between 7- and 9 p.m. Other events are planned for Thursday, including a media tour and a feast in the afternoon.
Hours of operation for the exhibit will be between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily, Tuesday through Sunday. The main entrance will be door no. 2 of the Chapel Gallery, to the right of the main entrance, however the main entrance will still be available for Elders and those who are handicapped.
The grand opening culminates months of planning and several events held in the lead up to the exhibition.
Samborski also noted volunteers were still needed and those interested are encouraged to call the Chapel Gallery at 306-445-1757.
“This is an extremely significant event in our community,” said Samborski of the installation.
Councillor Ray Fox welcomed the efforts by the City towards greater understanding of aboriginal issues in his remarks at council.
“It’s a good direction to go, especially with what has been happening very recently with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and their recommendations,” said Fox.
“I believe that we’re in a time of change, I think we’re turning slowly a few corners. And I believe that that’s directly related to understanding. I believe that, and I’ve always said, we’re here together, we’re here as a community, we’re here as a society and we have to learn about each other. And for the most part the learning has been ‘one way.’ And I believe now that we’re embracing the opportunity to not only teach, but to learn from one another.”
Fox also welcomed the Walking With Our Sisters exhibition and spoke further about the issue of missing and murdered indigenous women and North Battleford’s leadership role on the issue.
He spoke of the North Battleford-backed resolution passed at SUMA last year that called for an inquiry or roundtable on the issue and said, “we were successful” in accomplishing what they wanted.
“Now it has gone to the next level, which had to happen, and I think we played a role in that.”
Councillor Ray Fox speaks at council Monday on the City’s efforts towards greater understanding of the issues of Aboriginal people in the city. Photo by John Cairns
