Nathaniel Schmidt

Yes

Interview Response:

Nathaniel supports creating an urban reservation, i.e. dedicating the Confluence to achieving this vision. Establishing an urban centre is crucial for Indigenous people, helping them overcome the barriers created by the Indian Act and to help advance reconciliation. We need greater buy-in from city councillors to attend anti-racism committees.

Miguel Cortines

Yes

Interview Response:

Miguel suggests that we need to utilize the C-Space model through a public-private partnership, renovating existing historic facilities. Need for public education. He supports engagement with indigenous groups.

Survey Response:

There are many historical buildings that are owned by the City of Calgary that can be assigned for this purpose. We need to identify a suitable building and an operational model that ideally can be auto sustainable. One example of this type of buildings is cSpace Marda Loop, where an historical building was converted to a community space of collaboration. I would propose a similar collaboration. cSpace partners include the City of Calgary, Calgary Foundation, and cSpace Projects, a social enterprise.

Kent Hehr

Yes

Interview Response:

Kent would like to see a dedicated space recognizing indigenous voices, based on a partnership between the council and an indigenous-led initiative. This is a non-partisan issue. Furthermore, we need to consider further nation-to-city partnerships.

Survey Response:

Kent believes it is essential for Calgary to be an inclusive city and that the next council needs to continue to advance truth and reconciliation in partnership with Indigenous communities. Having been a member of the federal government that endorsed the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's 94 calls to action, he understands the importance of holding to the commitments made in those calls to action by working in close partnership with Indigenous leaders and community groups to guide projects in support of truth and reconciliation. To overcome roadblocks to the development of an Indigenous gathering space, Kent plans to convene an advisory group of Indigenous leaders to establish what they need to see in a project and how the city can best support them. Once a project scope is established, Kent would advocate for the rapid allocation of suitable space and funding for the development of the gathering space. Furthermore, Kent would like to continue working with Indigenous groups beyond the gathering space to ensure they are included appropriately in decisions that affect them in Calgary, and that beneficial partnerships can be expanded. In addition, through his proposed introduction of participatory budgeting, he would be interested in seeing a budget allocated to the funding of Indigenous-led, planned, and developed projects reflecting cultural and community needs.

Josie Kirkpatrick

Yes

Survey Response:

As a former teacher in Canmore Alberta, and having taught many students from the Morley Reserve, I have much respect for Truth and Reconciliation. I think an Indigenous led gathering place in Calgary would be a much appreciated addition for many citizens. It would help foster relationships, support inclusivity initiatives and enable the City of Calgary to be better able to ensure the successes and longevity of long lasting respectful cultural relationships. Advancing meaningful reconciliation is a crucial part of moving forward. I look forward to learning more about an Indigenous Led Gathering Place in Calgary.

Additional Response

I would come at this with a respectful and education-focused approach in order to get government support at all levels. If we can incorporate education, opportunities for Reconciliation and visitation to gain insight and understanding, we could very likely advance this project. I would do my best to do so. I taught in Canmore for a couple of years and had students from the Morley Reserve. I love learning about Indigenous history, the Seven Sacred Teachings and am very much in support of including this heritage and history within our Ward 8. There are many grants that could help finance this as well.