Indigenous connections

A monument to Reconciliation in Strathcona County

ᐊ ᒧᐣuᒣᐣᐟ ᑐ rᐁᒍᐣᒋlᐃᐊᑎᐅᐣ ᐃᐣ ᐢᐟrᐊᐟᐦᒍᓇ ᒍuᐣᐟᕀ

Strathcona County's first formal engagement initiative specific to Indigenous residents is related to the development of a Reconciliation monument in the community.

We know that approximately 4% of Strathcona County's population identify as Indigenous, which is over 4,000 people. This number is made up of First Nation (27.4%), Métis (67.5%) and Inuit (1.4%) . Feedback will be collected primarily using Keeoukaywin methadology with the support of pipikwan pêhtâkwan, a local Indigenous company that specializes in engagement work.

We are aware that not all people of Indigenous backgrounds may be familiar with or comfortable with, traditional visiting practices for a variety of reasons. Strathcona County and our consultant, pipikwan pêhtâkwan will provide a range of options to allows everyone to participate in ways that work for them.

The following options are available for this engagement process:

1. Attend in-person sharing circles in a space that is accessible and safe for Indigenous Peoples on August 7 from 2:00p.m - 4:00p.m or August 13 from 6:30p.m – 8:30p.m.

• The opportunity to visit in person and build community is a key part of this project.

• Circles will be guided and supported by Elders, and appropriate protocol and honoraria will be provided for those attending. The opportunity to smudge will be available before we begin.
• The Circle process will be guided by prompts and allows each participant to share their perspectives without interruption and build a collectively safe and supportive space to refine ideas. Participants are welcome to share as much or as little as they want.
• To participate in an in-person sharing circle, please register here for August 7 or August 13

2. Schedule an interview at a time that works for you

• While we will encourage participants to join us in circle for our discussions, we want to remain accessible to the community with considerations for employment, families, travel, etc. In these situations, our team may offer an in-person or virtual interview at a time convenient to them to hear their voices.

• Guided by prompts, we’ll visit in a way that allows each participant to share their perspectives without interruption and build a collectively safe and supportive space to refine ideas. Participants are welcome to share as much or as little as they want.
• If you want to schedule an interview, contact history@strathcona.ca

3. Participate via a discussion group page on County Voice (available 24 hours a day)

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• Protections are in place to ensure this is a safe online space. You will be asked to provide an email and username in order to comment, but your username does not need to be your real name. Your email will not be shared in any way.
• Your comments are visible to other participants in the same way that you would hear others in a sharing circle in-person. A number of levels of moderation are in place to restrict any abusive comments from other participants. Any hateful or abusive comments will result in the commenter immediately being removed from the platform.
• Contact CountyVoice@strathcona.ca to request access to this private discussion page