Indigenous leaders hope declaration from City of St. John's leads to action not just words

Indigenous leaders and the City of St. John's signed a declaration on Thursday a promise tosupport the rights,strengthen relationships and bolster inclusivity betweenthecapital city and itsgrowing Indigenous community.

The signing ceremony happened at the Cochrane Centre at 81 Cochrane Street.

"It's important because we want a commitment to advance the rights of Indigenous people in this city and in this province," said Stacey Howse, representingFirst Voice, a coalitionthat includes members of city council andinitiated the declaration.

"We want not only a commitment of words, but we want to see action."

Howsesaid the relationship between Indigenous people and all levels of government must continue to change, calling Thursday's signing a crucial and historic step.

"We do have a long history of colonization and historicsystemic violence, and we really need to work toward overcoming the disparities that still exist between Indigenous people and non-Indigenous people," she said.

Howse said the next step begins with creating a community action plan, which will be developed in partnership of First Voice, First Light and the city.

City plays a role

Coun. Maggie Burton and Coun. Ian Froudesit as members oftheFirst Voice Partnership Table. Burton and Froude helped bring the signing of the declaration together with the help of Indigenous members inthe city.

Burton told CBC News council representationon the coalition allows them to better work with Indigenous residents and address ways to move forward as a city.

"Like every other city in Canada, we have to grapple a lot with our past.We have to decolonize our institutions. We have to Indigenize our institutions and make sure that we move forward in a spirit of truth and reconciliation as was discussed today.

"It's really clear that each individual in Canada has a significant role to play when it comes to reconciliation, but so do municipal governments and provincial governments, and every level of community and governmental organization really has something to do."

Mayor Danny Breen said inclusion is one of the city's goals building a community where everyone can feellike they belong.

He said signing the declaration was important as it also recognizes the contributions of Indigenous community members living in St. John's.

"I think the results are starting to show themselves now. We have developed a very positive working relationship," said Breen.

"The organization has been involved in our inclusivity committee. They've been included in the workthat we're doing to deal with racism in our society. Sotheir involvement with us in helping us work toward those issues is invaluable."

St. John's has one of the fastest-growing urban indigenous communities in Canada, growing237.3 per cent between 2006 and 2016.Howse said 7,000 Indigenous people live in St. John's today.

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