Reconciliation is about resilience. It’s also about honoring the truth and reconciling for the future, and I was very pleased to declare 2016 as the Year of Reconciliation for Winnipeg.
It is my hope this will build on the years of important work undertaken by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and all of Winnipeg’s grassroots organizations toward reconciling our collective past.
I have been excited by Winnipeggers’ warm and dynamic response so far to this being the Year of Reconciliation. From Indigenous Elders and community organizations, to members of our immigrant and newcomers’ communities, and to young people I’ve talked with in high schools all across the City, the response has been tremendous. And the work that will be undertaken through the Circles for Reconciliation project exemplifies the positive and meaningful efforts being made all across our community toward reconciliation.
I continue to challenge all of us to consider what we can do — as individuals, as businesses — to respond to the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and I want to thank all those involved with the Circles for Reconciliation project for answering that call!
I do feel we are changing the tone in Winnipeg, and that’s because of the great, and growing, support for making this year a year when we pull together to make a real difference.
Brian Bowman
MAYOR
The City of Winnipeg
August 30, 2016