Reconciliation Lethbridge Advisory Committee struggling with attendance at monthly meetings

By Ry Clarke - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on October 22, 2022.

The City of Lethbridge held a variety of events leading up to National Truth and Reconciliation Day, including a pop-up medical clinic and powwow on Sept. 23 leading up to the week of events.

The Reconciliation Lethbridge Advisory Committee met on Friday during its monthly meeting, discussing matters on the agenda and reflecting on Truth and Reconciliation Week that ran September 26 to 30.

Looking forward with the committee, Cyndi Bester, co-chair, asked for more insight into how the group could enhance attendance and gather feedback from its members to make sure everyone is connected and in-sync, ensuring the meetings are held with quorum and the necessary members are present. At Friday’s meeting, seven of a possible 12 committee members were present.

Ryan Parker, Deputy Mayor, suggested issues in attendance may be due to scheduling conflicts. The committee meets the third Friday of every month from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

“I would recommend, if it is the same people, it is probably a scheduling issue,” noted Parker about the absences.

Agreeing to that, Bester noted the time frame is difficult to work around for those that sit on the committee as community representatives and citizens at large.

“We want to make sure we are getting the most out of our volunteers and keeping them engaged and enthusiastic,” said Bester.

Hoping to improve upon awareness and connection with the committee, Katie Jo Rabbit, Indigenous community representative, suggested a way of reaching out to members to check in with them.

“Sending out a survey on your engagement on the board,” said Rabbit. “People can tell us how they think they are doing, and what they give us can work as a foundation on how do we re-engage with our individuals.”

Agreeing to the suggestion, Parker also asserted that an anonymous survey would allow for freedom to be straight forward and honest, but also a good opportunity to “look in the mirror”.

Agreeing to the arrangement, the committee voted unanimously to request the Indigenous Relations Office put out a survey to the committees members.

No other major issues were reported with the committee for this month, the next meeting was scheduled for Nov. 25 with Rabbit presenting a request for funding towards Indigenous-related theatre sponsorship slated for the agenda.