Festival du Voyageur is proud to become one of the latest signatories of Winnipeg’s Indigenous Accord. The signing of the accord is part of its larger strategy to build relations with Winnipeg’s indigenous community and contribute positively to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.
“In the past, as an organization and one the largest festivals in Manitoba, we have not done enough for the acknowledgment and rapprochement with indigenous peoples. We believe it is necessary for us to build and strengthen partnerships and acknowledge the crucial role indigenous peoples played in the fur trade.” said Darrel Nadeau, Executive Director of the festival.
As a new signatory, we have developed concrete goals that we will report on publicly and annually. Our year 1 goals are the following:
- Reviewing our hiring and HR policies to ensure there are no barriers, real or perceived, toward members of the Indigenous community. Acknowledge the Indigenous land that Fort Gibraltar and our festival is located on and promote/educate the public on Treaty No.1.
- Formalize inclusion of Treaty No. 1 and Métis land acknowledgment in all of Festival du Voyageur and Fort Gibraltar’s public facing speaking opportunities.
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- Permanent sign installed at Fort Gibraltar recognizing Treaty 1 territory;
- Land acknowledgement on Festival and Fort Gibraltar websites and at all events and public gatherings;
- Inclusion of Indigenous languages in park signage;
- Plan & initiate a review of all heritage & education program to ensure Indigenous perspectives are reflected;
- Establish an Indigenous advisory group that will meet at least twice/year;
- Develop more partnerships with Indigenous groups & organizations to strengthen relations;
- Better inclusion of Indigenous artists in Festival du Voyageur programming.
