Reconciliation

Do you have questions or would you like to get involved? Email IndigenousRelations@Regina.ca to connect with us!

Why This Matters

• Institutional Commitment: Regina moved beyond symbolic gestures by embedding reconciliation into governance structures.

• Community Collaboration: kâ-nâsihcikêwin and the Indigenous Advisory Committee ensure Indigenous voices guide municipal decisions.

• Ongoing Work: The City continues to align with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, including following UNDRIP, training civil servants and commemorating, identifying and recognizing important Indigenous dates and history.

In short, 2015 was the turning point, but reconciliation in Regina has evolved into a sustained, multi-layered effort that now shapes municipal governance, cultural protocols and community partnerships, particularly in 2025.

Municipal Calls to Action

The City of Regina continues to actively work toward reconciliation across all departments. This work is informed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action:

43. We call upon federal, provincial,territorialand municipal governments to fully adopt and implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as the framework for reconciliation. 

47. We call upon federal, provincial,territorialand municipal governments to repudiate concepts used to justify European sovereignty over Indigenous peoples and lands, such as the Doctrine of Discovery and terra nullius, and to reform those laws, government policies and litigation strategies that continue to rely on such concepts. 

57. We call upon federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments to provide education to public servants on the history of Aboriginal peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal–Crown relations.
    This will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights and anti-racism. 

77. We call upon the federal government to work with provincial, territorial and municipal governments, churches, Aboriginal communities, former residential school students and current landowners to develop and implement strategies and procedures for the ongoing identification, documentation, maintenance, commemoration and protection of residential school cemeteries or other sites at which residential school children were buried. This is to include the provision ofappropriate memorialceremonies and commemorative markers to honour the deceased children. 
78. We call upon provincial, territorial, municipal and community archives to work collaboratively with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation toidentifyand collect copies of all records relevant to the history and legacy of the residential school system and to provide these to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. 

Below are some of the many actions in progress and completed, as informed by Indigenous worldview and consultation.

Community conversations and engagement have provided guidance on the following:

• Honouring cultural protocols more consistently across City programs and gatherings.

• Creating space for Elders and Knowledge Keepers to guide our decisions.

• Building stronger partnerships with Indigenous governments and community organizations.

• Ensuring Indigenous perspectives are reflected in how we plan and deliver services.

Do you have questions or would you like to get involved?

Email IndigenousRelations@Regina.ca to connect with us!

Parks Master Plan

Following the Plan’s initial engagement efforts, the City recognized that ongoing engagement with the Indigenous community as well as amplifying their voices by the outcomes of the Plan would be essential to meaningfully move towards reconciliation.

To undertake this more in-depth engagement, work on the overall plan was paused and the consultant team was expanded to include Wicehtowak Limnos Consulting Services LP (WLCS), who are local to Treaty 4 Territory. WLCS worked closely with staff and led further engagements with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Pipe Carriers, Administrators and community members throughout Treaty 4 territory. The outcomes of this work are directly linked to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Principles of Reconciliation and Calls to Action to create an equitable and inclusive community.

To effectively implement these recommendations, the Plan includes a well-structured strategy outlining time frames, resource requirements, responsibilities, potential support mechanisms and entities to inform. Ultimately, this Parks Master Plan will yield a more sustainable, easy to maintain and safer parks system, benefiting both residents and visitors to Regina.

You can find the 2024 Parks Master Plan here: 2024 Regina Parks Master Plan.pdf

The Legacy of Treaty 4: A Tribute to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit People (MMIWG2S+)

What is The Legacy of Treaty 4: A Tribute to MMIWG2S+ Project?

The Legacy of Treaty 4: A Tribute to MMIWG2S+ Project is a grassroots, community-led initiative inspired by the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG2S+).

The purpose of the project is to create a permanent, land-based commemorative space in Māmowimīwēyitamōwin Park. The space will include a firepit, Grandfather Rocks and artwork related to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and two-spirited. As Regina marks the 151st anniversary of the Treaty 4 signing, the project acknowledges the systemic racism that Indigenous women endure because of this treaty.

This space will feature designs by Indigenous artist Brianna LaPlante, created with the guidance of Elders, an Indigenous Design Panel, Reconciliation Regina and a City of Regina project team.

Who is involved?

This is a First Nation and Métis community-led project facilitated by Indigenous community leadership.

The Elders guiding this project are Sherry Cochrane, Rita Goodwill, Wayne Goodwill, Dianne Kaiswatum, Roland Kaye, Donna Okeeweehow, Joan Pelltier, Lillian Piapot, Jim Pratt, Faye Sioux John and Gwenda Yuzicappi.

The Indigenous Design Panel includes David Garneau, Felicia Gay, Jason Surkan and Tracy Desjarlais. The Indigenous Design Panel are experts in public art, activism, architecture and placemaking.

Reconciliation Regina is a First Nation and Métis led non-profit organization whose vision for reconciliation in Saskatchewan is that each citizen takes responsibility to create an interdependent and fair society.

The File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council Life Speakers consists of prominent community Elders, Knowledge Keepers and past tribal political figures.

Guiding Themes

Following a trauma-informed community consultation in 2019, three guiding themes were identified by the Elders to inform the project vision:

• Commemorate: Honor the lives of MMIWG2S+ individuals, strengthen family and community memory and create a place where Indigenous peoples can share messages of remembering, honoring, resilience and hope for future generations. This theme emphasizes the importance of memory and recognition in the healing process.

• Educate: Serve as an educational tool that shares truths and knowledge with a broader community audience. By educating the public about the historical and ongoing injustices faced by MMIWG2S+ people, the project hopes to foster greater understanding and empathy, and to challenge the systemic issues that perpetuate violence and discrimination.

• Activate: Bear witness to injustice, provoke discussions, inspire action and provide a platform for voices that may not have the opportunity to share their stories elsewhere. This theme focuses on the need for active engagement and advocacy to address and rectify the injustices faced by MMIWG2S+ people.

What is next for the project?

In 2025, the Indigenous Design Panel worked extensively to create a concept design that honoured the community vision and themes.  The design process commenced on January 9, 2025 with a pipe ceremony and feast to kick off the design work in a good way. 

In September 2025, the project secured the resources needed to bring the project vision to life, developed a concept design and released a public Call for Design, inviting Indigenous artistic contributions. In November 2025, the Indigenous Design Panel and artist Brianna LaPlante presented a detailed design to the Elders for their review and final updates.

The project team is preparing to release a construction RFP to the market in January 2026. A site blessing is currently being planned for spring 2026 with the site’s construction to follow in summer 2026.

Ceremony Site

In 2024, City Council dedicated lands near the Murray Golf Course as an Indigenous Ceremony site. This site will provide a dedicated space to help facilitate reclamation of culture and identity by Indigenous people. The City of Regina acknowledges the past harms perpetrated against Indigenous peoples and the continued effects. This site will provide access to culturally responsive opportunities to help the community heal from these negative historic events. It will also provide a space for people to learn and feel connected to the land.

Working with the Indigenous Advisory Committee, the City hosts Sweat Lodge Ceremonies that are open to members of the community. These occur during the summer. Additional Ceremonies may be held as directed by Elders and Ceremony People.

Since 2024, more than 25 sweat lodge ceremonies have taken place at this location for both City of Regina employees and elected officials, as well as community organizations and members of the public.

Learn more about the Ceremony Site here: Link to City of Regina | Ceremony Site

kâ-nâsihcikêwin Indigenous Framework

kâ-nâsihcikêwin – meaning “to go out to attain” in Cree – is the City of Regina’s Indigenous Framework, dedicated to embedding Indigenous perspectives and ways of knowing into all aspects of City operations and policies. Rooted in the principles of fairness, reciprocity and respect, this framework aims to guide the City’s journey toward reconciliation and equitable relations with Indigenous communities.    

Link to framework on page 226 in Council Agenda: Agenda - Wednesday, April 9, 2025

In the lead up to the vote at City Council on April 9, 2025, Edmund Bellegarde, CEO of Kihew Consulting, spoke about the importance of overcoming differences by sitting together. He gives us a great reminder that when we work together and invest in relationships, we strengthen each other and improve outcomes. 

Watch it here: https://youtu.be/lgcN0CrMsek