Inclusivity highlights state

By Miguel Fenrich Staff Reporter

At the first State of the City Address in over three years, Mayor David Gillan began his address on the city’s recent partnerships, major projects and vision into the future by thanking attendees and offering a land acknowledgement.

Gillan began by speaking on the partnerships the city has undertaken in the last three years, starting with the near closure of the Lighthouse emergency shelter in 2021 after the council’s election. Immediately, the city contacted the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan and BATC to discuss a long-term plan to keep the shelter open. This culminated with BATC operating the emergency shelter in the Battlefords, now Miwasin Kikinaw.

“I can honestly say that without sitting down and working in partnership with everyone, we may not have an emergency shelter today,” Gillan said, thanking BATC, the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan Ian Hamilton for his work to save the shelter.

In 2020, the Battlefords saw the completion of a parks and rec master plan between the city and the town of Battleford. This plan included the sharing of facilities and resources for long-term provision in the region.

“Both councils recognized that it does not matter whether you live in the town of Battleford or North Battleford, people wanted high-level facilities and programming, without duplication,” Gillian said.

Gillan also added that both the town and the city recently signed a multiyear agreement to assist each other with the funding of regional assets. The city is now entering into similar discussions with neighbouring RMs.

In 2018, the city of North Battleford, the town of Battleford, neighbouring RMs, and five First Nations signed an agreement, establishing a formal partnership called the Battlefords Regional Community Coalition.

Some results include:

• anti-racism workshops;

• COVID-19 pandemic meetings; and

• a comprehensive regional emergency plan.

Gillian also believes that as a result of this agreement and the BRCC partnership, the town and city signed onto the coalition of inclusive municipalities, of which 96 other cities and towns are also members across Canada.

But Gillan feels that although the city is focused Nature on partnering with community members to foster a community where everyone feels welcome, and a society without fences, there is still a problem.

“Does everyone have the opportunity to truly participate? It has to do with the fundamental difference between being in the community, and being of the community,” Gillan said.

He added that everyone can be in the community by going to the store, going to school, buying a home or going to church. But to Gillan, being a part of the community means being recognized, validated, and supported by municipal lawmakers, teachers, employers, public and social services, housing, medical providers, the religious