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RMWB signs landmark agreement with First Nation

Last Updated Feb 10, 2023 at 8:40 am MDT

Image supplied the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.

A historic agreement has been made between the RMWB and the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN).

During a special meeting on Feb 7, 2023, RMWB Council approved the signing of a Municipal Services Agreement with the ACFN for the Acden Lot, which is located at 2020 Taiganova Cres.

It’s the first deal of its kind between Council and a First Nation for an addition to reserve.

READ MORE: Council continues building relationship with Fort McKay

At that meeting, Mayor and Councillors also received an annual update on the RMWB’s response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Calls to Action.

In a list of 57 municipalities across Canada, the Municipality ranked second only to the City of Edmonton in identifying the most TRC Calls to Action for a population of its size.

According to the R.M., Wood Buffalo is one of a handful of communities to formalize a commitment to reconciliation through the implementation of a reconciliation framework.

“We recognize and understand that our path to truth and reconciliation is a journey that is led by the Indigenous communities and Peoples in this region,” Said Dennis Fraser, RMWB Director of Indigenous and Rural Relations. “While we are heartened to know we are leaders in these efforts, the truest testament of our work can only come from them. We are grateful for their guidance and patience as we all work together to make reconciliation a reality.”

The update is a follow-up to A Collaborative Pathway Forward, the Municipality’s response to the TRC published in 2022, which includes results of a third-party benchmarking report.

The next RMWB Council meeting is Feb. 14, 2023.