Will you work with the Indigenous led, Indigenous Gathering Place Board to advance the creation of an indigenous led, indigenous gathering place in Calgary? How will you work to advance this and overcome the current roadblocks that have delayed this project?
DJ Kelly
It is CRUCIAL to involve the indigenous community, and the city can not dictate to them. He has experience working with the U of C staff to involve all sides and to celebrate both cultures, especially with Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to recognize the trauma-inducing aspects of residential schools, stolen land, etc. We have to recognize that intergenerational trauma is hard to deal with for many people. We must include all sides in the discussion to reach a consensus. The gathering place has to be something that all Calgarians can live with in partnership and in consultation. It is better to do it and to do it over and to ensure safety and accessibility. We need to have fair entry for city services to cover everyone. Generally speaking, what is applicable to the most vulnerable will be applicable to everyone.