After recently revealing her executive committee, Montreal’s new Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada faced criticism for not assigning a specific role for Indigenous reconciliation, a position that was previously established in the city’s administration since 2018. This omission raised concerns, especially as the role was held by Alia Hassan-Cournol in the previous administration.
Nakuset, the executive director of the Native Women’s Shelter, expressed disappointment over this oversight, emphasizing the importance of having a dedicated executive committee member solely responsible for Indigenous reconciliation. She highlighted the pressing issues faced by the Indigenous community, such as discrimination, racism, access to healthcare and education, homelessness, and police relations, underscoring the need for immediate attention and action.
While a city spokesperson mentioned that Indigenous reconciliation is part of councillor Josué Corvil’s mandate, Nakuset stressed that sharing responsibilities dilutes the focus on Indigenous issues. She urged for a designated individual to handle this critical area to ensure effective reconciliation efforts.
Nakuset also voiced concerns about the lack of engagement from the Martinez Ferrada administration with the Indigenous community and emphasized the need for concrete plans and actions to address reconciliation, referencing the stalled progress on Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) recommendations.
As the new administration prepares to release more details on each executive committee member’s responsibilities, Nakuset called for proactive outreach to Indigenous community members and leadership groups, emphasizing the urgency of addressing Indigenous issues comprehensively and promptly.
