In late November, we welcomed 16 additional local organizations and businesses who joined in our commitment to reconciliation by signing onto the Indigenous Accord at a gathering.
The Accord guides our shared commitment to the Journey of Reconciliation in Winnipeg. It is rooted in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) 94 Calls to Action and more recently the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit (MMIWG2S+) Calls for Justice.
As a living document, the Accord is an ongoing responsibility accepted by signatories. By signing the Accord, partners agree to report the success of their commitment to reconciliation and their future goals on an annual basis.
New signatories to Winnipeg’s Indigenous Accord each establish an ongoing commitment to setting goals, implementing action plans, and sharing progress annually.
“Together, we hope to foster collaboration, understanding, and accountability between the City of Winnipeg, the Accord partners, and First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples,” said Tracey Cechvala, Project and Initiatives Coordinator with the City of Winnipeg’s Indigenous Relations Division.
The 16 local organizations and businesses officially became signatories at an all partner gathering, which was themed “Empowering change through accountability and impact.”
Rooted in ceremony and guided by Elders and community leaders, the gathering created a comfortable and safe space for presenters, panelists, and all participants.
In the spirit of economic reconciliation, over 30 Indigenous artists and entrepreneurs participated in a vendors market at the event to showcase their creations, and elevate Indigenous entrepreneurship, foster unity, and strengthens cross-cultural and industry bonds across our city.
The goal of the annual gathering is to bring together Accord partners, now numbering 243, to have meaningful discussions about how our individual and collective efforts are making a tangible impact in our community.
By adopting an anti-racism framework, we aim to highlight the importance of acknowledging and combating anti-Indigenous racism while actively committing to change and driving measurable impact.
“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. We hope our collective efforts will make our city a better place to live based on mutual respect, equal opportunity, and hope,” Cechvala said.
The new partners who signed onto Winnipeg’s Indigenous Accord in 2023 are:
- Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (CPHR) Manitoba
- CLAC (Christian Labour Association of Canada) Manitoba
- Community of Big Hearts
- Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute
- International Institute for Sustainable Development
- Klinic Community Health
- Le Musee de Saint-Boniface Museum
- Manitoba Opera
- Mentoring Artists for Women's Art (MAWA)
- Number Ten Architectural Group
- Reconciliation Thunder Inc.
- St. Boniface Hospital
- TIPI Group of Companies
- West Broadway Community Organization
- Westminster Housing Society
We accept applications to join the Accord throughout the year.
To learn more and submit your request to become a partner, please visit winnipeg.ca/indigenousaccord.