Highlights from the NUICC Council Meetings in Saskatoon, June 7-8th

Press Release

June 22, 2023

Our guest speakers at the Hybrid Forum on JEDI and UNDRIP in Canadian Municipalities in Saskatoon and speakers from the NUICC Urban Indigenous Knowledge Mobilization Hub.

Several times a year NUICC Council members meet in person to discuss business. This time we were able to meet in Saskatoon, with the virtual participation of coalition representatives. Several sessions were also open to Saskatchewan coalition representatives who were located in the surrounding southern Saskatchewan region. The meetings were moderated by Becky Sasakamoose Kuffner and Damon Jonhston, national co-chairs.

NUICC’s Mandate

Council identified a sharper set of priorities for the organisation for this year:

1. Budget Plan + Forecast
2. Mission, Vision + Mandate (Purpose)
3. TOR (Governance) + Code of Conduct
4. Coalitions Engagement + Communications
5. NUICC Position, Story + Strategy
6. Government Engagement Strategy
7. Meetings + Gifts
   • Sharing Work
   • Strengthening the Circle

How will we know we are there?

1. Clear + established:
2. Mission, vision, values > Mandate
3. Good governance (Indigenous)
4. Established & engaged membership
5. Work plans + Strategy plan
6. Presence / visibility (amplified coalitions)
7. Fiscal Health
8. Influence on “Research” policy & advocacy
9. Resources + knowledge sharing
10. Good relations with others (internal/external)

Hybrid Forum on Implementing JEDI and UNDRIP in Canadian Municipalities

The Hybrid Forum on “Implementing JEDI and UNDRIP in Canadian Municipalities” welcomed 75 virtual and in-person attendees. Council gathered with in-person guests at the Remai Modern. In-person guests also enjoyed a tour with Tarah Hogue and her exhibit of “Storied Objects: Métis Art In Relation” and complementary lunch. We would like to thank the participation of our guest speakers, who honoured us with so much knowledge:

1. James Youngblood (Sa’ke’j) Henderson
2. Dr. Manuela Valle-Castro, University of Saskatchewan
3. Verna St. Denis, University of Saskatchewan
4. Lindsay (Swooping Hawk) Kretschmer, executive director of Toronto coalition, TASSC.

Some highlights on each speaker’s contribution:

Honoured guest James (Sa’ke’j) Youngblood Henderson reflected on how UNDRIP brings a framework to lift up the inherent human rights of Indigenous peoples. Sa’ke’j brings his international and Canadian legal experience to consider how UNDRIP becoming law in Canada and increasingly into provinces and cities can deliver a new order of humanity, based on promoting and protecting inherent human rights and exercising Indigenous peoples’ right to determine the development of their lives.

Manuela Valle-Castro spoke to why systems do not change: colonialism, white male supremacy, capitalism.

Verna St. Denis, as an anti-racism educator, spoke to the imperative need of starting with education before system change. JEDI is another way to harm and minimize rights of Indigenous people.

Lindsay Kretschmer shares teachings of the #tworowwampum and unpacks TASSC Indigenous Relations and Equity Discussion Paper.

Damon Johnston and Becky Sasakamoose Kuffner, shared NUICC’s perspective in the subject, as national co-chairs.

Thank you’s!

We would like to thank our venue sponsor the Remai Modern and the White Buffalo Youth Lodge, Saskatoon Tribal Council for opening their space to us and our community during the two days. Thank you to the Indigenous caterer Chester Knight’s Bannock Bistro, and the Hearth Restaurant at the Remai for providing delicious food to our group.

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