Councillor wants Indigenous relations office in Calgary

One Calgary councillor says the next step in the city's move toward reconciliationshould be the establishment of an Indigenous relations office.

Brian Pincott, who is not seeking re-election in October,saidraising the Treaty 7 flag permanently in front of city halland renaming the Langevin Bridge are important symbolic gestures, but Calgary needs to take further action.

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"Being willing to learn is demonstrated by partnerships, is demonstrated by action on the ground," he said."And we need an Indigenous relations office that is very public, that will help us, will lead us in that."

Pincott said right now the city only has onestaff member who deals with Indigenous issues, even thoughCalgary has hadan urban affairs committee since 1979, established to make recommendations to city council regarding the needs of First Nations citizens.

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"We've been really clear around policy and being committed to working with our Treaty 7 partners our Treaty 7 neighbours to working with all Indigenous peoples within the urban setting," he said.

"But we actually need to make sure that we have a place for it."

Other cities have established more formal offices, including Edmonton.

Pincottwill put his idea before city council on Monday.

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