City of Regina, FNUC sign deal promising stronger Indigenous partnership

Sharing an embrace, Mayor Sandra Masters and President Jacqueline Ottmann signed and stamped a Memorandum of Understanding on Monday to keep partnerships between the City of Regina and the First Nations University of Canada (FNUC) strong.

The agreement promises to bolster educational, cultural, and community development initiatives that benefit both parties.

Masters said having have a larger Indigenous representation within different positions at the City of Regina, will help improve relationships.

“We are stronger with each other in the future,” Masters said. “We will be stronger when our understanding is deepened.”

Ottmann said this is a unique deal that promises the city and the university will continue to come together in meaningful ways.

“That’s significant, working alongside each other,” Ottmann said.

Masters said the deal was step towards the city’s efforts in advancing reconciliation in accordance with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action including Indigenous education and cultural competency in Regina.

“Being able to uplift and access expertise is a really important thing when you are looking for the truth, and to continuously learn, and build a relationship,” said Masters.

Ottmann said it’s important to see Indigenous perspectives in different economic and educational perspectives around the city.

“Commitments take energy, they take time, you know, you move through things together,” Ottmann said.

In a news release from the city, it said different projects from the agreement will be determined on a case by case basis.

Read more

• Interpretative panels welcomed at Sask. Residential School Memorial
• Canadian Medical Association to apologize for Indigenous harm