NUTANA ROTANA – Editor: Bryan Tastad

 

 

MEETING RECAP - Five Club Rotary Meeting at the Parktown Hotel. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Saskatchewan

 

The meeting was presided by President Peggy Clark of the Saskatoon Nutana Rotary Club

 

O Canada - was sung

 

Grace - was also sung accompanied by Betty Ann Arscott on the Steinway

 

It was noted the meeting took place on Treaty Six Land

 

Our Club was the best represented outside the host club.

 

Bob Devrome introduced Rhett Sangster, Director of Reconciliation and Partnerships with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner for Saskatchewan. Rhett coordinates efforts to engage both the public and community leaders on the nature of reconciliation in Saskatchewan. This process aims to work with as many partners as possible to identify shared priorities and a broadly-owned vision for the future. Rhett grew up in Treaty 6 territory (Tisdale, Saskatchewan) and is a graduate of the University of Saskatchewan (B.A. Political Studies). He moved to Ottawa in 2000 to become a Foreign Service Officer and has spent the majority of his career working on issues of international conflict and peace building. He spent three years posted as a diplomat in Turkey, led a successful effort to improve dialogue and cooperation between Afghan and Pakistani border officials, and coordinated Canadian international policy on mediation, peace processes and the effects of war on women and girls. Rhett accepted a Rotary Peace Fellowship in 2012 and graduated in 2014 with a Masters in International Development Policy from Duke University. His thesis focused on conflict prevention and reconciliation in Saskatchewan.

Rhett distributed copies of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Call to Action. He noted that reconciliation in Saskatchewan is each citizen of the province taking personal responsibility to do what they can to create an interdependent and fair society where:

• Indigenous cultures, languages, ways of knowing and governance structures are strong and sovereign, while also included in and contributing to the overall fabric of Saskatchewan life;

• We share a common understanding of Saskatchewan’s history, and our personal place within it;

• Justice for past wrongs has been achieved, and families and communities are strong and healing;

• Safe spaces exist and skills are developed for mutual learning, communication across cultures, trust building, partnerships, and shared social experiences;

• We all enjoy a high quality of life, and full participation in the economy;

• Governance at all levels, including institutions of education, health, justice, economy and social services, represent and benefit from both Indigenous and non-Indigenous leadership, values, history and ways of knowing.

Rhett encouraged Rotary to join the more than 40 organizations that have become partners in the provincial reconciliation movement. One way is to participate in the Rock Your Roots Walk on June 21. A copy of Rhett's presentation is attached to this newsletter. Asit Sarkar thanked Rhett on behalf of the city's five Rotary clubs.

 

 

Next Meeting: RAP School Meeting at Walter Murray Collegiate