By Tan Mei Xi

In July, the City of Vancouver’s Urban Indigenous Peoples’ Advisory Committee published a scathing news release calling on the city to walk its talk on Reconciliation.

Racism and colonialism are deeply rooted and systemic issues. The committee stands in solidarity with Black and racialized communities as we collectively grieve senseless losses amidst continued colonial violence across Turtle Island. Through the upheavals of COVID-19 and the growing anti-racist movement, there is renewed energy and urgency around calls to confront discriminatory policies, colonial mindsets and unchecked privileges that continue to disproportionately impact underserved communities.

Amidst this critical time and these calls for action, the committee is seeing mounting evidence of a growing discrepancy between the stated values and vision of the city as a City of Reconciliation and the actions of its institutions.

We speak with the incumbent and previous Indigenous Relations Managers of the City, Katelyn Crabtree and Ginger Gosnell-Myers, as well as with a member of the Advisory Committee, Alexander Dirksen.