An update from County staff update says Bruce County is making progress on the pathways committed to in the Saugeen Anishnaabek Reconciliation Pathway and Action Plan.
Since January 2022, the County has been working through planning efforts through the Indigenous Reconciliation Framework.
The framework was endorsed by the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation, and the Saugeen First Nation in the summer of 2024.
It’s based on 94 calls to action that was devised by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
CAO Christine MacDonald shared that the County is continuing its work development an Engagement Circle.
“We’ve been advancing towards the development of the Engagement Circle, which will create a formalized opportunity for appointees from each of the First Nations and Bruce County to work together,” she shared.
The Engagement Circle is a governance structure that will serve as a critical space for continued dialogue, consultation, and collaboration on reconciliation initiatives. The Engagement Circle was approved by Bruce County council in June 2025.
Since the posting of the report was submitted to council, staff was also able to hold the third-annual joint meeting between the two First Nations and County council members on July 31st.
Councillor Mark Goetz was one of the council members at that meeting, and he shared his appreciation for the discussions that were held.
“That is the kind of meeting that I envision, where we can overcome our differences and start that path forward, working together,” said Goetz. “I appreciate all of the work that’s been done in the past, but if you’re just carrying reports back and forth from one council to another, it doesn’t have the same impact, I believe, as if the two councils are sitting together, discussing their differences, and working their way through that.”
Another pathway that has been completed is the Land Acknowledgement and Protocol, which includes a new Land Acknowledgement video.
That new video was viewed and discussed during the joint meeting, in addition to discussions about topics that aligned with the councils.
The main goals of the Pathway and Action Plan are to build and strengthen relationships, increase knowledge, understanding, and celebration of Saugeen Anishnaabek history, heritage and culture, and to honour First Nations’ relationships with the environment, and to provide equitable access to services.
Based on those goals, the County identified 41 pathways to action with 17 different commitments.
To date, three have been completed, 37 are in progress and on track, and only one pathway has not yet been started.
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