City of Regina, FSIN sign agreement to educate about racism

In an effort to continue to provide education and awareness about racism, the City of Regina and members from the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) signed an agreement Tuesday.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) indicates city officials will provide educational initiatives for all staff and elected officials on the history of the treaties, residential schools and the rights of indigenous people.

Mayor Michael Fougere said this is an important step for the future of the city.

“This is a wonderful discussion on how we can rebuild relationships and how we are, as an administration and council for the city, taking this very, very seriously to reconcile the wrongs of the past and move forward into the future, a much more brighter future.”

Fougere did admit there is still work needed to be done in the city when it comes to racism.

“It’s sad to say, I think there’s racism everywhere and there’s no use denying that,” Fougere said. “I think many people don’t intend that, they don’t want that but there are some people who feel this way and we need to address that issue head-on in a way that’s meaningful.”

FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron agreed that more needs to be done when it comes to racism throughout the province.

“It is improving, however, there is still room for improvement and we get that, we’re calling on all levels of government to do the same,” Cameron said.

He said the signing of the MOU is a historic event.

“It’s the first time in the city of Regina that this has happened.”

He said this will have a major impact on the youth across the province because of the high-profile people involved in it.

“That just shows that we’re leading by example, walk the walk, talk the talk.”