City of Powell River Council has voted to acknowledge and support a Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) resolution.
At the September 12 council meeting, councillors responded to UBCIC correspondence, mentioning Powell River City Council as one of five BC municipal councils it targeted specifically to make councillors aware of the UBCIC resolution regarding rejection of residential school denialism.
“The UBCIC chiefs council stands with survivors and intergenerational survivors of residential schools, and their families, as well as the children who never made it home, and all those who are harmed by the actions of those involved with the production and distribution of the book Grave Error – How the Media Misled Us, and the deeply troubling trend of residential school racist denialism and any unwillingness to accept historical fact and the work of experts,” the UBCIC correspondence stated.
Councillor Rob Southcott brought forward a recommendation reaffirming council’s commitment made at the May 31, 2016 committee of the whole meeting that: the calls to action in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission final report be endorsed; that the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP) be adopted; and that staff be directed to develop actions for approval by council to implement the calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission final report that explicitly recognize the role of municipal government. The recommendation further stated that council acknowledge and support the UBCIC resolution on rejection of residential school denialism.
Southcott said the reason why he was bringing forward the recommendation is because of the division in the community around issues that are specifically defined by the UBCIC’s resolution.
Southcott stressed the importance of listening.
“I’ve seen listening work small miracles,” said Southcott. “As representatives of the dominant culture in our country and in our community, we are large enough and generous enough to commit ourselves to listen.
“I see small evidences of listening. There are many people in this community who want to get back to communicating and trying to find our way to connection with one another, bridging the divisions that are very apparent.”
Councillor Trina Isakson said a lot of the language that has been in council chambers, in public meetings, and on social media, has had real impacts on residential school survivors and their families, who are re-traumatized every time residential school denialism pops up. She said her rationale for supporting the recommendation was to make clear council’s position about what the will of council is and what it affirms regarding the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and the experiences of the survivors of residential schools.
“Council’s current position is unclear to many,” said Isakson. “People are unclear about delegations, people think we invite them, and that those delegations represent the will of council, even though they don’t. Another reason council’s position is unclear is because of comments of members of council in public gatherings.”
Councillor Jim Palm said as acting mayor, he was aware that in terms of mayor Ron Woznow’s position when he saw the recommendation brought forward, Woznow reached out to Southcott and suggested Southcott reconsider putting the matter forward at council. Palm said the mayor requested a face-to-face dialogue with a facilitator to facilitate discussions between communities and governments. Palm said, however, with the matter on the agenda, Southcott did not think that was a good suggestion.
Palm brought forward a motion for a staff report with a legal opinion regarding the UBCIC resolution, but was advised there was already a motion on the floor. Palm brought forward to postpone, but it was not seconded.
On the recommendation brought forward by Southcott, Palm chose not to vote. He initially indicated that he would abstain, but was advised that would count as a positive vote. Palm then left the council chamber for the vote.
Southcott took the chair and his recommendation carried unanimously.
Join the Peak’s email list for the top headlines right in your inbox Monday to Friday.
