Robertson recognized with leadership award

MICHAEL POTESTIO STAFF REPORTER

michael@kamloopsthisweek.com

City of Kamloops Indigenous and External Relations Manager

Tammy Robertson has been recognized with a Professional Services Award in Leadership from the Local Government Management Association of British Columbia (LGMA) for her service and progress in the area of truth and reconciliation.

Robertson has spent 14 years with the City of Kamloops, the last five years of which have been in a reconciliation-centred roll that she advocated to create.

In that time she has fostered a relationship with the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc that received nationwide recognition last June when she received a British Columbia Reconciliation Award from the Lieutenant Governor.

“Through Tammy’s determination and in the spirit of true reconciliation, she has been instrumental in collaborating with Tk’emlups te Secwépemc on numerous initiatives,” a city press release stated.

“Over the past few years, this strong partnership has demonstrated results across a broad range of community themes from culture and heritage, environmental protection, social change and economic development.”

Political and government representatives at the regional, provincial and national levels, including Minister Murray Rankin from the provincial Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, have cited the relationship between the city and Tk’emlups te Secwepémc as an example to follow.

“Those who work with Tammy have experienced firsthand, the outstanding results of authentic initiatives that enhance awareness of the rights, history, and culture of the Secwépemc people,” City of Kamloops CAO David Trawin said.

“While Tammy is the first person to remind city staff that reconciliation is a journey and that allyship is an action not a title one can claim, we hope she will accept this recognition as a well-earned mile-marker on the path she is helping to forge.”

Kúkpi7 (Chief) Rosanne Casimir of Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc said the band is pleased to learn of Robertson’s award.

“She is integral to the relationship that we have with the City of Kamloops and we extend our congratulations to her on this recognition and welldeserved award,” Casimir said in the release.

Detailed information on the City of Kamloops and Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc relationship is available at Kamloops.ca/

Our-Community/IndigenousRelations including numerous educational resources and a recently updated joint action plan towards the implementation of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples.