Mayor of Elbow, Sask., won't bend on his promise to work on reconciliation

Just over a year ago, the mayor of Elbow, Sask.,signed a memorandum of understanding with the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations. Today,reconciliation remains a priority for RobHundeby.

• FSINsigns agreement with Elbow, Sask., pledging to eliminate racism in area

Over the past yearHundebysaid he's made an effort to delve deeper into reconciliation, involving schools, libraries and community centres in surrounding rural municipalities.

He boasted thateach elected officialand full-time staff member on his team has read the treaty implementation principles and the Truth and Reconciliation's 94 Calls to Action.

In response to the community's efforts,Hundebysaid he has received messages from people inEngland and Norway, in addition to being acknowledgedby the United Nations. He considers that "quite a feather in our cap for a small community like Elbow."

Issuing an apology

In February 2017, FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron spoke at the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association convention in Saskatoon about reconciliation.

I remember him putting his hands on my shoulders and just saying 'thank you.'- Rob Hundeby, mayor of Elbow

Hundeby said he never considered himself a "severe" racist, but after hearing Cameron's speech, he felt guiltyfor some of his past thoughts and actions.

"I probably had stereotypical view that First Nations people were lazy or they don't pay taxes," he said.

He felt compelled to personally apologize to Cameron.

"I remember him putting his hands on my shoulders and just saying 'thank you,'" he said. "It's obviously something that doesn't happen very often a lot, especially for an elected official to come up and make a statement like that."

Cameron said he remembersthe day fondly.

"Rob is one mighty fine man," said Cameron. "To hear him still on thatpath, as I still am on a path, and as many arein terms of eliminating some of the racism, curbing it and addressing it it's a good start."

The memorandum acted as a promise to help eliminate racism, but it came withpushback from some village residents.

"Some people who you thought were your friends kind of questioned what I was doing, but the fact is I woulddo it againin a heart beat," saidHundeby.

He said some people took it as a personal attack, butinsteadhemeant it as a statement that racism can happen anywhere.

A bright future

Cameron saidsince Hundebysigned the memorandum, Regina's Mayor Michael Fougere has also signed on to a similar agreement. Cameron said Prince Albert isn't far behind.

Cameron said has also met with Premier Scott Moeto discuss the idea of a joint task force to combat racism, although the idea isstill in the works.

When asked if he believes reconciliation can move forward, Hundebyresponded "without a doubt," and Cameron agrees.

Hundebysaid hehopes to continue hosting events in Elbow and surrounding areas, which will promote forgiveness and healing through reconciliation.