Photo Source: City of Airdrie website
As part of the City of Airdrie’s path of reconciliation the flags of Treaty 7 and the Métis Nation can be seen inside the city’s council chambers and outside in front of the municipal building.
On September 18, in the early morning a special ceremony was held which saw the flags begin raised along side the municipal, provincial, and federal flags.
“One of the focus areas of our team would be Nose Creek. It is known to be an important archaeological area, so ensuring the traditional knowledge and land use assessment is captured would be key.” – Jennifer Lutz, City of Airdrie Team leader of Heritage and Indigenous Relations.
The flags being raised is a symbol of the City’s on-going commitment to its journey of truth and reconciliation.
In a statement, Airdrie Mayor Peter Brown shared, “We have heard from Indigenous community members that this would be an important measure in solidifying relationships and building trust within the entire community, benefiting both Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples”.
Along with the flag raising, the city also announced the creation of the new Heritage and Indigenous Relations team.
The mission of the new team, which is lead by Jennifer Lutz, is to create a strategy for the City and Council to keep moving forward in reconciliation.
This will include:
- Relationship-building with Indigenous Nations
- Continuation of learning and understand of Indigenous culture and values.
- Implementing change to achieve long-term reconciliation.
- Seeing future land use though an archeological lens
Part of the land use areas in the city will be Nose Creek Park where Tipi rings have been discovered in the past and where bronze statues that tell the story of the land currently reside.
New team leader of Heritage and Indigenous Relations Jennifer Lutz shared in a statement about how the team will be looking at Nose Creek Park, “One of the focus areas of our team would be Nose Creek. It is known to be an important archaeological area, so ensuring the traditional knowledge and land use assessment is captured would be key.” Lutz continued, “Further, co-creating a strategy with Indigenous Peoples is an important next step to support Council’s vision in Airdrie’s truth and reconciliation journey.”
Information about Indigenous relations in the City of Airdrie visit the City’s website.
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