Vancouver Park Board
News Release
November 16, 2017
November 16, 2017
The Vancouver Park Board has approved a new position in its
2018 budget to support an ambitious reconciliation agenda.
The role will be
assigned to the park planning and research team and consult widely with
aboriginal leaders and communities on Park Board initiatives, policies and
programs.
The new
reconciliation planner, Rena Soutar, will work with colleagues at the Board and
City of Vancouver to advance mutual goals and create lasting relationships
between municipal governments and indigenous communities.
“We are thrilled to formalize the work
begun in the early days of this Park Board’s
tenure at a historic meeting between the three host Nations and our elected
Board,” said Park Board Chair
Michael Wiebe.
“We've continued to support
this work, and the reconciliation planner will lay the permanent groundwork for
an authentic and respectful government to government relationship with the
Nations.”
Soutar has worked
with the Board since January of 2016, contributing to arts, culture and
reconciliation initiatives. Previously, she worked with the three local First
Nations during the 2010 Winter Games and is the author of the book “Songees.”
In her current role,
she will focus on implementing the Board’s 11
reconciliation strategies and advancing the work of the precedent-setting
Stanley Park Intergovernmental Working Group.
The Intergovernmental
Working Group was formed three years ago when the Musqueam, Squamish and
Tsleil-Waututh Nations collectively expressed the desire to work with the Board
to create a long-term stewardship plan for the park and to address concerns
about archeological practices in parks.
In response, the
Board worked with the Nations to hire the first municipal archeologist in
Canada in 2016 to work exclusively on indigenous issues. Geordie Howe’s responsibilities include a review
of current archeological practices to ensure that aboriginal protocols are
respected in all park developments.
Howe and Soutar both
sit on the Intergovernmental Working Group, which is composed of staff and
representatives of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. The group
addresses issues as they arise, such as a Board motion to engage with First
Nations about re-naming Siwash Rock.
The reconciliation planner will also work with park
research, planning and development teams on other significant projects such as
park naming, and review monuments, memorials and public art processes and
policies to ensure integration of Indigenous history, heritage values, and
memory practices.
The Board recently
piloted a unique collaboration with Coast Salish nations in the enhanced New
Brighton Park Salt Marsh. It is the first Board site to feature culturally
appropriate ecological signage created, approved and translated by First
Nations into traditional languages.
A kiosk featuring
cultural educational content will be built next year as a collaboration between
the Board, Musqeuam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.
Another key focus for
the new planner are the 11 strategies adopted by the Board to advance the work
of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
The strategies
address critical themes, including:
· language and culture
· commemoration
· professional development and training
for public servants
· education for reconciliation
· youth programs
· sports
Specific measures adopted by the Board include a “360 degree” approach to programming in culture, health, and sport to
increase support for First Nations children, youth, and elders in Board
programming.
In addition, the
Board will carefully consider aboriginal rights in granting permits for special
events and sport hosting and will establish a program for artists to
collaborate on works inspired by reconciliation themes.
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Media contact:
Vancouver Park Board
604-257-8699
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