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First Nations groups and Town of Cochrane mark one-year anniversary of CEDI collaboration

March 15 marked the one-year anniversary of a pipe ceremony that all four communities participated in, signifying the commitment of each community to a new era of government-to-government partnerships.
cedi
Leaders from First Nations and Town of Cochrane gathered to celebrate working together

Stoney Nakoda Peoples and Treaty 7 signatories: Bearspaw First Nation, Chiniki First Nation, Goodstoney First Nation, along with Stoney Tribal Administration (STA) and the Town of Cochrane announced their continued collaboration and participation in the Community Economic Development Initiative (CEDI), a national program delivered jointly by Cando (the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers) and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) in a news release March 16.

March 15 marked the one-year anniversary of a pipe ceremony that all four communities participated in, signifying the commitment of each community to a new era of government-to-government partnerships.

Over the course of the past year, Bearspaw First Nation, Chiniki First Nation, Goodstoney First Nation, Stoney Tribal Administration, and the Town of Cochrane have lived up to that commitment and have continued to meet on a monthly basis via a working group comprised of elected officials and senior staff members from each community and organization.

Prior to the Bearspaw and Goodstoney elections in the fall of 2022, almost 30 elected leaders and senior staff from all four communities and STA met for a two-day facilitated workshop in September to learn about each community’s history, culture, governance, legislation, and jurisdiction.

“If we can come together, government-to-government, under the heading of CEDI, then we are here to participate.” said Chief Aaron Young, Chiniki First Nation at that gathering.

Chief Darcy Dixon of Bearspaw First Nation added, “We continue to learn from one another; the road ahead of us is better than the road behind us. Laying a foundation here for all our communities gives us some hope.”

Chief Clifford Poucette, Goodstoney First Nation said, “The Goodstoney First Nation is thankful to participate in this great initiative. The Nation is looking forward to sharing, listening, and participating.”

Cochrane mayor Jeff Genung voiced his support for the CEDI program, adding it was an important way for all involved to “get to know each other in a deeper way.”

Out of respect for the fall 2022 elections, the working group did not meet between October and January. The meetings resumed in January, and on March 15, elected leadership and senior staff from Bearspaw First Nation, Chiniki First Nation, Goodstoney First Nation and Town of Cochrane, and staff from the Stoney Tribal Administration, gathered once again to learn from one another and advance their shared areas of interest in community economic development.

The CEDI is supporting these communities to strengthen their inter-governmental relationships, ultimately aiming to improve the quality of life for all residents in the region.

The CEDI recognizes that First Nations are sovereign nations with inherent rights and title; and therefore, the program also recognizes that First Nation and municipal governments are distinctly different forms of government with unique jurisdictions, governance models, cultures, and responsibilities.

The CEDI strives to support these governments to find areas of common interest and opportunity, to build relationships and inclusive and mutually beneficial ways of working with each other.


Howard May

About the Author: Howard May

Howard was a journalist with the Calgary Herald and with the Abbotsford Times in BC, where he won a BC/Yukon Community Newspaper Association award for best outdoor writing.
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