--- Gatineau signs reconciliation declaration with first nations assembly

Gatineau adopted the Assembly of First Nations Québec-Labrador’s (APQNL) action plan on racism and discrimination. Announced during municipal council’s special meeting on February 2, the APQNL’s action plan consists of 19-page document proposing actions that people can put in place to help improve relations with Indigenous people. 

Opening with a word of welcome, Gatineau Mayor Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin read a statement in Ojibwa - which he repeated in French - saluting, Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg Chief Dylan Whiteduck, and APQNL Chief Ghislain Picard, and emphasizing the importance of the announcement for relations with Indigenous communities.

He noted that, in June of 2016, the city inaugurated Place Abinan on rue Jacques-Cartier - public space created in conjunction with Kitigan Zibi that promotes Indigenous art, culture, and history.  Pointing to its symbolic importance, he called it the catalyst of official relations between Gatineau and Kitigan Zibi community. “I’m very proud of this project,” Pedneaud-Jobin said. “It represents, for me, friendly relations that unite us, and we have a responsibility to highlight these victories because the history of relations between our communities is sadly at times suspect to profound shame. What members of Indigenous communities have experienced and continue to experience, is unacceptable”

He added that he’s confident that relations between the city and Indigenous communities can be reconciled. Wanting to continue in the right direction, the Mayor said that the city is working with Kitigan Zibi and the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council to host a third edtion of the Sommet des Premières Nations et des municipalitiés sur la réconciliation in Gatineau. Noting that the event unites leaders of different Indigenous and municipalities across the province, he noted that the pandemic has forced the three parties to review their plans – noting that he remains optimistic that the event will happen. While symbolic gestures are important when it comes to fixing fractured relations, he emphasized the necessity of concrete actions to make a tangible impact.

He saluted the APQNL’s action plan on racism and discrimination and the work that went into it, noting that it involved documenting the entirety of recommendations suggested in reports by various commissions over the years, by categorizing and attributing them to different groups of Quebec’s population so people can act quickly. He added that the city is already adjusting to those recommendations, by recognizing Kitigan Zibi as principal partner with Gatineau, by appointing the Mayor as responsible for policies affecting Indigenous relations, and appointing the person responsible for inter-government relations in the Mayor’s office as administrative liaison officer for Indigenous relations.

Noting that the APQNL’s action plan is available online and easy to apply, Pedneaud-Jobin encouraged people to consult it and see how they can contribute to improving relations with Indigenous communities.

Very proud of the initiative, Whiteduck said he’s happy to see Indigenous relations with the Gatineau move a bit closer to reconciliation. “Throughout our history, the Algonquin Anishinabeg inhabited the lands we stand on today,” Whiteduck said. “More importantly, the continued history and the connection of our people to this land is now referred to as Gatineau. History continues to prove this, and moments like these are also considered history in a new way.”

An Aylmer resident for a portion of his life, Whiteduck said he’s always been proud of his Algonquin heritage while living in the area – noting that he hopes to see more inclusion and recognition of the Algonquin nation. “Perhaps explore new ways to have our people recognized,” Whiteduck said. “Perhaps, renaming a district in Algonquin would enhance this process. I’m sure a lot of people would be happy for that matter. Much more can be done.”

Calling the APQNL’s action plan a bold but humble approach to encouraging people to do their part in erasing racism, Picard said he also felt happy with the announcement and that he’s hoping to see more actions aiming to reconcile relations between Indigenous people and the city.  Hoping the gesture incites more political leaders in different municipalities to follow suit, he added that the most important step towards reconciliation is for individuals to take the responsibility of taking action to ultimately make the world a better place. “We cannot rewrite history,” Picard said. “But at the same time, I think we can come together today and find a way to right the injustices of the past committed towards our people with lasting effects that have impacts in the way we co-exist as a society.”

Noting that the region’s Indigenous people have been oppressed for centuries, Deschênes district councillor and member of the Table de concertation du vivre-ensemble et de l’immigration de Gatineau, Mike Duggan also praised the city’s gesture. “May the healing continue,” Duggan said. “I am proud of our Mayor, Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin, for this important initiative which I fully support. Miigwech (thank you).”