Wednesday afternoon, the City of North Battleford and Town of Battleford signed on officially to join the Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities.
North Battleford mayor David Gillan and Battleford mayor Ames Leslie officially signed the documents to join the coalition at a ceremony on Finlayson Island.
The two mayors signed a declaration where they agreed to develop a plan of action to implement 10 “common commitments” against discrimination and promoting equality.
The signing was witnessed by other dignitaries, including chiefs representing the First Nations making up the Battlefords Regional Community Coalition. Among those making remarks was Chief Wayne Semaganis of Little Pine, Chief Lori Whitecalf of Sweetgrass, Chief Brad Swiftwolfe of Moosomin FN and Chief Crystal Okemow of Lucky Man FN. Also there was Métis Nation of Saskatchewan president Glen McCallum.
The coalition is a national organization making up 82 communities across Canada. It was founded by UNESCO in 2005 as the Canadian Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination, and is a network of local governments with a stated commitment to eliminating discrimination and building open and inclusive societies.
The city and town passed resolutions to join the coalition in the past month, with the strong encouragement and support of the Battlefords Regional Community Coalition, who spearheaded the efforts to join.
The signing commits Battleford and North Battleford to coming up with a plan of action to make the city more inclusive.
What it means for North Battleford, said Gillan, is that “we are looking at specific initiatives, specific programming that we can put in place.”
“As the chiefs said, it’s great to talk but where’s the walk. So we are trying to look at specific ways that we can address discrimination in the communities and make it inclusive for everyone.”
Battleford Mayor Leslie noted the signing will mean the town will be held to account to be inclusive in its everyday work.
“I think the key thing is the communities will help keep the Battlefords accountable to the commitment of addressing racing and inclusion and diversity.”
The speakers at the signing event acknowledged it would not be an easy process and there was still a long difficult road ahead.
“The road is long, it’s going to be difficult,” said Leslie. “Change is hard. But we’re committed, council is committed and we hope to make a difference.”
“What today represents is a change for tomorrow,” said Chief Okemow after the signing ceremony concluded.
She expressed hope that this can be an example for other nations, and expressed optimism that “this could be widespread, that this is going to be the status quo, not what has been status quo in the past. That’s what my hope is here today.”
