» Chow must do more for Indigenous community than symbolic gestures

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Re “Mayor sends Indigenous councillor idea into consultation purgatory” (Justin Holmes, March 19): The language of presenters at the meeting where the notion of an Indigenous councillor was meant to have been discussed was highly offensive.

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While I appreciate that Mayor Olivia Chow and councillors don’t control that language, I was appalled that such uninformed statements were allowed to stand completely unchallenged.

It’s absurd to suggest that it’s “a betrayal of democratic principles to try and manufacture an unelected city council position.”

Particularly inexcusable were the comments of Miguel Avila Velarde. He said Councillor Alejandra Bravo has “Mapuche roots” and could perhaps serve as an aboriginal representative voluntarily. The committee must simply “ask nicely, Alejandra, por favour.” Does council seriously think this is acceptable commentary not worthy of condemnation?

Given council’s dismissal of an Indigenous councillor, there was no discussion on what the aboriginal affairs advisory committee intended. However, that’s not my point in writing.

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Last year, Chow declared Sept. 30 the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. She wrote, “The City of Toronto will continue to collaborate with Indigenous leaders and community members to fulfill the actions within the Reconciliation Action Plan, ensure transparency and accountability and restore right relations.”

Those words were meaningful for the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, as I’m sure they were for the many other Indigenous people who live in and around Toronto. The actions of council have not demonstrated transparency, accountability or genuine effort to “restore right relations.”

Toronto is home to the largest Indigenous population in Ontario, the fourth largest in Canada. However, in looking at the city’s website, it appears that very little has been done under the Reconciliation Action Plan during Chow’s term, other than a few symbolic gestures. Directing her staff to find ways to “deepen meaningful representation of the Indigenous community in city decision-making, including through existing channels,” etc., is more of the same.

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I personally joined the mayor in June 2024 for the renaming of a Toronto street. While I appreciate such gestures, they must be done in addition to real and meaningful change.

I urge the mayor to: 1) issue a public apology to the Indigenous citizens of Toronto and neighbouring communities, 2) Meet directly with the city’s aboriginal affairs advisory committee members whom, I imagine, are dismayed by the manner in which their proposal was dismissed, and 3) Add the topic of an Indigenous councillor on council’s next agenda for a thorough, informed discussion with the advisory committee.

MCFN is a short drive from Toronto. It is a progressive and welcoming community. We are in the process of settling land claim agreements, the results of which will benefit both our communities. However, we want to ensure we enter into partnerships with communities who truly want to engage in respectful initiatives with First Nation people.

The mayor, her council, and the aboriginal advisory committee have a standing invitation to visit MCFN to discuss how we can work together on developing meaningful relationships and reconciliation for our respective constituencies.

— Claire Sault is Chief of Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation

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