Winnipeg, MB – Today, signatories of Winnipeg's Indigenous Accord, including local organizations, businesses, groups, and individuals, met for the inaugural All Partner Gathering. This was the first of ongoing gatherings that bring together Accord partners for meaningful dialogue, to feature and share successes, and to learn from one another.
“Establishing Winnipeg’s Indigenous Accord was an important step in our city’s Journey of Reconciliation,” said Mayor Brian Bowman. “I am especially grateful and want to thank all those who became initial partners in the Accord. Your commitment and leadership has been crucial. Your energy, your willingness to establish tangible goals and make them visible for the whole community is what will keep us moving forward on our Journey of Reconciliation. I have been deeply moved by Winnipeggers’ desire to work in partnership toward reconciliation, and I encourage everyone to consider becoming a signatory to our city’s Indigenous Accord.”
The Accord guides our shared commitment to the Journey of Reconciliation, and is rooted in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) 94 Calls to Action and is guided by the commitments and principles contained in the Accord.
“Today’s gathering was an important opportunity to have many individuals and organizations who are committed to a mutually respectful relationship between Indigenous Peoples and non-Indigenous Winnipegers in the same room engaging in dialogue,” said Marcia Anderson, co-chair of the All Partner Gathering and member of the Mayor’s Indigenous Advisory Circle (MIAC). “As we learn how to walk forward together in a different way than we have in the past, it will be really important to ensure that we are striving for measurable outcomes that are considered meaningful by Indigenous communities. I’m excited to be part of this process.”
As a living document, the Accord is an ongoing responsibility accepted by signatories, who through becoming partners to the Accord agree to report the success of their commitment to reconciliation and their future goals on an annual basis.
Collaboration with other organizations and groups, across sectors, and with Indigenous organizations, governments, and individuals is essential to the ongoing Journey of Reconciliation in Winnipeg to make our city a better place to live based on mutual respect, equal opportunity, and hope.
To view the Accord and partner goals, please visit: winnipeg.ca/indigenousaccord.