Air Ronge Mayor Julie Baschuk, seen here, along with Coun. Tabitha Burr are in Regina for the annual SUMA convention. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

reconciliation

Air Ronge resolution for inclusion of municipal Elder advisors passes at SUMA

Apr 5, 2022 | 4:36 PM

Air Ronge Mayor Julie Baschuk was happy to see a resolution the village put forward at the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association’s (SUMA) annual meeting be passed by members.

The resolution called for SUMA to advocate the Government of Saskatchewan for the legislated ability for municipal councils to appoint non-voting Elder advisors to their councils in any upcoming amendments to The Cities Act, The Municipalities Act, and The Northern Municipalities Act.

In July 2021, Air Ronge council appointed Tom Roberts to a newly created Elders advisor role with the municipality.

“Our intent is just to affirm the province’s commitment to both reconciliation with the First Nations and the commitment to the Elder population by adding this important addition to municipal council tables across our province,” she said. “We don’t want it just to be a northern Saskatchewan issue, this is a provincial and Canadian thing we would love to see put into legislation.”

Elder Roberts attends regular meetings and provide knowledge, insight and historical context, as well as advice on topics that come across the council table. He doesn’t hold any voting authority, but it is expected his advice can affect day-to-day operations in the village in a positive way.

Twist on a classic

Regina board game designer puts new spin on crokinole

16h ago

Spring in Saskatchewan

Calm, dry weather expected across much of Saskatchewan over Easter weekend

16h ago

Tribute projects

Progress on Humboldt Broncos memorial continues eight years after tragic crash

16h ago

Baschuk explained it is council’s intention to have Elder Roberts continue serving alongside councillors until he’s no longer interested and a new advisor is sought.

“I think reconciliation is really prevalent in so many communities and efforts that we are seeing, and this is just one way to really solidify that commitment because we are very aware Indigenous Peoples are underrepresented in municipal politics,” Baschuk said.

“I think we also acknowledge our moral duty as elected leaders is to foster these different efforts we are seeing. Elders are the keepers of the knowledge and the history and, by having Elder Roberts, it provides us a balance and understanding of how we are moving forward with our community and with our people.”

–

derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno