Submitted by the Province of Manitoba
The government of Manitoba released the fifth annual Path to Reconciliation Annual Progress Report as it continues to advance reconciliation in Manitoba and respond to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, Indigenous and Northern Relations Minister Eileen Clarke announced Dec. 21.
“Our resolve to respond to the Calls to Action remains as strong as ever,” said Clarke. “Manitoba is working hard to bridge the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in our social, political and economic systems and institutions. While we have taken important steps, we fully recognize that much work remains to be done.”
Manitoba took dozens of new actions between April 1, 2019, and March 31, 2020, to address the legacy of the impact from residential schools including creating a mental health and addictions strategy, with the mental health of Indigenous peoples being one of the top seven priority areas in the Virgo report.
Over the last two years, the number of children in care has declined, which is a positive trend for children and families, particularly Indigenous children and families. The province anticipates the ongoing work toward transforming the child welfare system will support a continuation of this positive trend, the minister added.
The government of Manitoba has also taken action to address dozens of the Calls to Action including:
• invested over $110,000 to train public servants on the history of Indigenous peoples including developing a professional workshop ‘The Path to Reconciliation: A Historic and Contemporary Overview’;
• partnered with the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba, the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs to create a five-year Treaty Education Initiative in the fall of 2019 that works with teachers to ensure students between kindergarten and Grade 12 learn about the treaties and treaty relationships; and
• established an economic development office, with Indigenous engagement as a mandated priority and key focus to foster Indigenous contributions to Manitoba’s economy.
Manitoba also takes actions outside of the Calls to Action that support reconciliation including:
• completing construction of the Shoal Lake 40 First Nation Road Project (Freedom Road);
• investing $25,000 toward Circles for Reconciliation, an innovative organization that works to establish trusting, meaningful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples; and
• transferring ownership of the Grace Lake Airport to Mathias Colomb Cree Nation to encourage Indigenous-led ventures and economic development.
For more information on the Path to Reconciliation Act Annual Progress Reports visit www.gov.mb.ca/inr/reports-and-expenses/path-to-reconciliation-act-annual-progress-reports.html.
