Indigenous Reconciliation

The City of Cambridge acknowledges that we are situated upon the land traditionally used by the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe and Neutral People.

The City values the history and continued presence of Indigenous Peoples in this place, and acknowledges the meaningful contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. The City is committed to raising awareness and taking action on the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

In 2015, Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) released its findings and 94 Calls to Action to redress the residential school’s legacy and advance the reconciliation process in Canada. The Calls to Action are directed at all levels of government, the private sector and to Canadians as a whole.

The City of Cambridge is working towards the Truth & Reconciliation Calls to Action and collaborating with municipal partners in our approach.

In September 2021, council approved a report that identified our next steps in reconciliation including:

• • City of Cambridge’s rental-related fees associated with use of municipal space for Indigenous cultural and ceremonial events be suspended year-round until such policy is considered by Council;
  • Continue in a coordinated approach working with the inter-municipal Reconciliation Action Plan Work Group to develop a Reconciliation Action Plan

The City of Cambridge acknowledges that reconciliation is an intentional ongoing lifelong process, that requires the efforts of staff at all levels. Staff continue to work towards reconciliation through Indigenous-led learning opportunities, internal and external communication, and meaningful relationship building.

Reconciliation Action Partnership Group

The City of Cambridge is committed to reconciliation and understands that true reconciliation requires action.

By taking an active role in sharing the responsibility of reconciliation, the City of Cambridge actively participates in the Reconciliation Action Partnership group which is a collaborative group of municipal representatives working to coordinate efforts to support Indigenous-centered initiatives across Waterloo Region. Municipalities have the opportunity and responsibility to contribute to reconciliation with Indigenous communities, as this work connects land, people and governance. In addition to the RAP group, there are five RAP sub-committees working to achieve coordinated direction, based on the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and on the Calls to Justice from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

Sub-committees include:

•           Heritage, Cultural Landscapes and Commemoration Sub Committee

•           Communications and Events

•           Honorarium and Compensation Practices

•           Placekeeping and Land (Use of Space)

•           Learning and Development

This work is intended to improve and enhance service delivery to Indigenous Peoples in Waterloo Region, identify changes to existing policies, programs, and processes of the City that could be implemented to eliminate barriers, develop respectful relationships with Indigenous communities to meaningfully support Indigenous-led work and build a more inclusive community and municipal workplace.