(File Photo/northeastNOW)

By Ben Tompkins

Reconciliation Melfort

Melfort proclaims September as Truth and Reconciliation month

Aug 18, 2023 | 6:00 AM

The City of Melfort has proclaimed the month of September as Truth and Reconciliation Month.

Council approved the matter Monday after the group Reconciliation Melfort proposed the idea during July’s monthly meeting.

Most of the time, a proclamation is usually asked by a provincial or federal organization for multiple communities, however, this time it came right from within.

“It makes us be a lot more involved in this proclamation because it’s that close to home,” explained Melfort Mayor, Glenn George. “It’s going to show that we care and we want to work with them, we just want to work with the Indigenous community and be a part of the solution, not a part of the problem.”

The city will also be raising an every child matters flag for all 30 days of September, which was gifted to council by Reconciliation Melfort, after they had previously purchased it from James Smith Cree Nation.

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(Submitted photo/Lori Constant)

Reconciliation Melfort group member, Lori Constant told northeastNOW that she’s always quite nervous when going in to do things like talking to city council, however, it clearly turned out to be worth her while.

“When I went in July to ask for this to be considered, I really felt that the mayor and his council were very open and interested in what we were talking about, what we’re planning, what we’re doing in our community and where we’re hoping to go. I’m really pleased that they voted in favour of making the proclamation for the month of September.”

According to a letter sent to city council by Reconciliation Melfort, they were formed in November of 2022 with the purpose of planning and implementing educational activities and opportunities focused on truth and reconciliation for all the citizens of Melfort.

As a new group, they viewed this September as their first opportunity to recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Sept. 30th).

“This day is the opportunity to recognize and commemorate the tragic history and ongoing legacy of Residential Schools, and to honour the survivors, their families, and communities,” the letter read.

This is why they invited the City of Melfort to proclaim September 2023 as ‘Truth and Reconciliation Month’ in the city, as well as raising the ‘Every Child Matters’ flag for the month.

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