Land Acknowledgement Policy Approved

A special moment at Edson’s Town Council Meeting last night as Council passed a new Land Acknowledgement Policy with Elder Frieda Maynard and members of the Edson Friendship Centre in the gallery.

At the start of the meeting, Elder Maynard spoke to Council about the importance of the Land Acknowledgement and its relevance from an Indigenous perspective. Residential Schools were also discussed and, as a Residential School survivor herself, she presented Council with a Survivors’ Flag. This flag is meant to honour residential school survivors and the lives and communities impacted by the residential school system in Canada. Mayor Zahara received the flag and says Council was touched and honoured by the presentation.

Following the presentation, Council adopted the new Land Acknowledgement Policy, which outlines the text and use of the acknowledgement, which reads:

In the spirit of truth and reconciliation, we acknowledge the Town of Edson is located on Treaty 6 territory, the traditional and ancestral lands of the Nehiyawak, Saulteaux, Siksika, Piikuni, Kainai, Dene, Nakota Sioux, and the Otipemisiwak (Métis) Nations. We honour the knowledge of this land, the Elders and youth which gather here, and our ancestors who have gathered here for centuries.

This will now be included in Council Meetings, Town events, and printed in Town communications and on the website where meaningful and appropriate.

“This is an important step forward in the Town of Edson’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation. We are grateful to be able to work with Elder Freida Maynard and organizations such as the Edson Friendship Centre to further our efforts.  Council looks forward to further collaboration with the Indigenous community in the spirit of Truth & Reconciliation.”

-Edson Mayor Kevin Zahara

Edson Town Council has outlined Truth and Reconciliation as a priority in their Strategic Plan. Building strong relationships with Indigenous people and organizations, falls under the Strategic Pillar of 'Creating a Connected Community that is Safe and Inclusive'.

 For more information on the Truth and Reconciliation initiatives underway in Edson, visit our website at www.edson.ca/town/truth-and-reconciliation.