The Sacichawasihc regional framework agreement signed last Friday by two municipal and five First Nations governments was a long time coming for Herb Sutton.
The effort to put that in place was one Sutton had worked on tirelessly during his time as Community Safety Coordinator. Sutton had previously touted the “multi-government steering coalition” as a way to collectively address the root causes of crime activity in the region.
“This is obviously the foundation block for the work on root causes,” Sutton said at council. “We know that the city alone and any of the communities in the region, alone, cannot address the issues we need to face, that we need to work together. That model, that agreement we signed on Friday, will be a foundation for that work.”
Sutton had previously committed to be out of town on the date of the signing so he couldn’t attend it in person. Nevertheless, at Monday’s council meeting Sutton congratulated the elected leaders for the “vision and the courage” to go forward with it.
He said the signing “marks the beginning of a new era where we don’t just talk about, but we create processes to work regionally on our common challenges, and that’s significant. Starting to build relationships which didn’t exist before, and thinking strategically and long-term. Those things take vision and courage, and I really commend all of you for supporting that.”
Mayor Ryan Bater noted that there was a joint session of the councils of Battleford and North Battleford at Battleford town hall, prior to the signing of the agreement. He expressed pride that the initial “spark” came from the city, but said it’s not the city’s initiative anymore.
“It’s a group effort now and it’s where we needed to get to,” said Bater.
Bater added a lot of people were feeling “pretty good” on Friday about the signing, but he reminded people “now the real work starts.”
Following is the applicable text of the framework signed by Lucky Man Cree Nation, Sweetgrass First Nation, Little Pine First Nation, Moosomin First Nation, Saulteaux First Nation, the City of North Battleford and the Town of Battleford:
Sacichawasihc Relationship Agreement
WHEREAS the First Nations are distinct Indigenous people under Treaty No. 6 with their own lands, resources, languages, cultures, traditions, ways of life and an inherent right to self-governance;
AND WHEREAS the Supreme Court of Canada recognizes that First Nations are a distinct Aboriginal people who have Aboriginal rights and Treaty rights, and that the Government of Canada has recognized distinct Aboriginal peoples with inherent rights;
AND WHEREAS section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, states that “the existing aboriginal and treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada are hereby recognized and affirmed” and that “the “aboriginal peoples of Canada” includes the Indian, Inuit and Métis peoples”;
AND WHEREAS the Supreme Court of Canada has recognized that the fundamental objective of the modern law of Aboriginal and Treaty Rights is the reconciliation of Aboriginal peoples and non-Aboriginal peoples and their respective claims, interests and ambitions;
AND WHEREAS the City of North Battleford and Town of Battleford recognize and respect the First Nations’ unique history, traditions, culture and rights as an Indigenous people as well as their important role in the history and development of North Battleford and Battleford;
AND WHEREAS the Parties have worked cooperatively for many decades and through this Framework Agreement, re-commit to working together in the spirit of reconciliation;
AND WHEREAS the Parties agree to work collaboratively through this Framework Agreement to find shared and practical understandings on how the principles set out in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples can be implemented;
NOW THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows:
1. Vision
1.1 The Municipalities are situated in the traditional territory of the First Nations peoples of Treaty No. 6 at the confluence of the North Saskatchewan and Battle Rivers (the “Regional Community”). The Parties will work towards a reconciled Regional Community, building on its history for the health, well-being and prosperity for all its people.
2. Purpose
2.1 To set a strong foundation for the Parties to establish and maintain co-operative government-to-government relationships.
2.2 To develop a forum for meaningful effective and transparent communication on all issues of mutual interest.
2.3 To establish government-to-government committees comprised of political appointees and staff to foster health, growth and well-being of the residents in the Regional Community of the Battlefords.
2.4 To establish government-to-government committees comprised of elected or appointed officials and staff to ensure the socio-economic sustainability and vibrancy of the regional community.
3. Shared Principles
3.1 The Parties commit to work collaboratively together for the rights and benefits of all, in accordance with the following shared principles:
a. The First Nations’ history, culture and people have made significant contributions to social and economic prosperity of the Regional community.
b. The prosperity of our future relies upon relationships built today.
c. Reconciliation is a responsibility shared by all.
d. Cooperative relationships between the Municipalities and First Nations are built on effective communication, respect and mutual understandings.
4. Shared Objectives
4.1 The Parties will collaborate on the development and implementation of projects of mutual benefit and will work to develop agreements to achieve these goals. The Parties agree to work together, along with their respective administrations, to address issues of mutual interest. The undersigned will strike a government to government working committee to advance the collaborative dialogue and joint work. Objectives include:
a. Intergovernmental relationship building;
b. Cultural prosperity, engagement and heritage;
c. Collaborative economic development;
d. Collaborative land use planning;
e. Social enhancement, including, but not limited, to housing, health and wellness, poverty reduction and community safety;
f. Environmental stewardship and climate change;
g. Service utilization and agreements;
h. Infrastructure development, maintenance and funding;
i. Joint advocacy on regional issues; and,
j. Education and training.
5. Communication
5.1 The Parties shall dedicate the time of their elected and appointed representatives to hold meetings to discuss matters of mutual concern and/or interest on an as-required basis, with four meetings to be held yearly as a minimum.
5.2 The Chiefs and Councils of the First Nations and the Mayor and Councils of the Municipalities direct their respective administrations to work together to prepare a Communication Protocol to share information.
6. Priority Actions
To achieve the purpose of this Framework Agreement, the Parties agree to the following priority actions:
6.1 Renewing and strengthening the First Nations Government to Local Government Relationship of the Parties.
6.2 Facilitating the recognition and respect of Treaty No. 6 rights in North Battleford and Battleford the Municipalities, including the commitment to advance reconciliation.
6.3 Developing a collective approach to Regional Community issues that is culturally relevant, relies on evidenced-based and informed strategies and enhances the well-being of the Parties.
6.4 To develop economic opportunities for the Parties with a view to enhancing Regional Community and individual wellbeing.
7. Accountability process and problem solving
7.1 The Parties will meet annually to jointly evaluate the Agreement, including progress to meeting collaborative goals. The Parties agree to open communication with regards to strengths and limitations and the Parties commit to work together to address weaknesses and to improve relationships and outcomes of the Agreement.
8. Addition of new participating organizations
8.1 The Parties may from time to time recommend the addition of other organizations or government bodies to the Agreement. Upon agreement of the Parties, other organizations or government bodies may be invited to sign onto the framework. The Parties will amend this collaboration agreement to include new participants with all Parties sharing with the rights and responsibilities described in the Agreement.
9. Amendments
9.1 The Agreement may be amended only through unanimous agreement of the Parties. The decision to amend the Agreement and language describing the agreed upon changes shall be documented in writing, including date of the amendment and signatures of all Parties.
10. Term and termination
10.1 Each Party retains the right to withdraw from the Agreement upon giving all other Parties at least 60 days notice to withdraw. Withdrawal of one Party or Parties does not terminate the Agreement or the rights and obligations thereunder, with respect to all other Parties.
11. Non-Derogation Clause
11.1 Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed or interpreted to abrogate, derogate, take away, reduce or limit the Treaty and Aboriginal Rights of the participating First Nations.
11.2 Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed or interpreted to abrogate, derogate, take away, reduce or limit the responsibilities and governing legislation of the participating municipal governments.
12. This Agreement Survives Political Change
12.1 The Parties agree that any changes in their governments, including changes to the offices of their respective Chiefs and Councils, shall not impact this Agreement which shall continue to survive government changes by reason of the political processes of each Party.
Signature page follows
