City councillor Stacie Smith gave a final 'Mahsi' during last week's regular council meeting to Maggie Mercredi, former for the City of Yellowknife.
Mercredi's position was not renewed during the city's budget vote in December. Coun. Smith has been quite vocal in her support for retaining the position, as have other notable community figures, such as Ndilo Chief Ernest Betsina and social issues activist Arlene Hache.
At Monday's regular council meeting, Smith noted that Mercredi's 18-month tenure officially ended on Feb. 21.
SA国际影视传媒淚 wanted to extend a huge thank you to her for starting the conversation," Smith said in her member's statement. "Her contributions to the community inspired the next generation. It not only allowed for the voices of many Indigenous people in the noise of colonialism but it also fueled a fire among Yellowknifers, Indigenous and non-indigenous.SA国际影视传媒
Smith said she intends to carry on the spirit of reconciliation with her work at city hall.
In an interview after the statement, Smith called the termination of Mercredi's position "extremely disappointing" and that much more work needs to be done to extend reconciliation between Indigenous and non-indigenous peoples at city hall.
"I thought it was important that she was recognized for her work and her job ended without any real recognition brought forth to her," Smith said. "It had to be done and I donSA国际影视传媒檛 think anyone at council knew that her last day was on Friday (Feb. 21)."
Mercredi provided detailed responses to questions sent by Yellowknifer late last week. She described her level of pride, reflected on reconciliation developments that have occurred within city hall and her broader efforts to construct new relationships between Indigenous and non-indigenous peoples.
She praised Smith for her support and leadership as a Dene woman on council.
"Councillor Smith's recognition and acknowledgement made me proud, not because I was mentioned by name but because Coun. Smith, the first Indigenous person to ever be elected to Yellowknife City Council, a strong Dene woman, loving mother, business owner, and important leader in our community," she stated.
"By her acknowledgment and recognition, Coun. Smith shared a traditional teaching and Dene way: We don't just dismiss each other when the work is done. Rather, we acknowledge the person's commitment and time and honor the work done. This Dene way empowers people and keeps us strong. This is what made me proud. I am also happy to hear that Councillor Smith will continue on with this work in her capacity as city councillor. She has my full support."
Mercredi said there were times when she heard that the public thought that her work amounted to being a public relations role with little substance.
"There are Indigenous people in Yellowknife from all over Turtle Island (and) it is important to bring those voices to the table," she stated.
Mercredi stated she was grateful for the community support to renew her contract, but she was glad to have an end date. She stated she remains open to working with the city as needed "to continue the training to new employees on the history and legacy of residential schools and colonization that I have facilitated for the City of Yellowknife since 2017, way before my term began.
"I will continue to seek opportunities that bring Indigenous and non-indigenous people together for genuine dialogue on issues that affect us all, building relationships and creating safe spaces to support each other as we work to create the future our next generation so rightly deserves."