City needs to work to become more inclusive

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The Edmonton Civic Panel released its findings March 23 on the extent to which Edmonton is an inclusive community, and panel co-chair Lewis Cardinal said the city has some work to do to catch up in the areas of meaningful social and economic participation of Edmonton's marginalized people.

"Whether they be people from visible minorities, are gay, live with disabilities or have a low income, many people are marginalized and excluded from mainstream life," he said.

The panel, made up of civic and community leaders, spent the past year collecting stories and reflections from 200 individuals and groups on their experiences with social and economic inclusion.

The study, to be presented to city council within a few months, is part of a project by Inclusive Cites Canada, which provides funding through Social Development Canada and the Laidlaw Foundation, a private Canadian foundation dedicated to a country in which communities are inclusive, creative and sustainable. The Inclusive Cities project includes the cities of Edmonton, Toronto, Vancouver, Saint John, New Brunswick and Burlington, Ont.

"Far too many people in Edmonton continue to face institutional, community and personal barriers," said Edmonton City Councillor Janice Melnychuk, who served as the other co-chair of the panel.

Cardinal, director of Native Student Services at the University of Alberta, said the study shows that Edmonton is not as inclusive in some areas as other cities included in the project.

"An inclusive community is one that provides opportunities for the optimal well being and healthy development of all children, youth, and adults," the study reads. "All members of the community potentially gain from social inclusion-those who are vulnerable for reasons of poverty, racism, or fear of difference-as well as the broader community that benefits when everyone is able to participate as a valued and contributing member."

Inclusiveness is linked to social health and quality of life, and this in turn is closely linked to economic prosperity.

The inclusiveness study was comprised largely of local soundings, meetings in which participants voiced their concerns and experiences in dealing with city services.

It should be noted that no sounding was held for Aboriginal peoples specifically or for seniors.

Melnychuk said the panel tried to hold an Aboriginal sounding, but could never arrange with Aboriginal community leaders to put one together.

It should also be noted that Trevor Gladue of the Metis Nation of Alberta resigned during the panel process. He told Alberta Sweetgrass he simply did not have the time necessary to devote to the project.

Perhaps because of the lack of Aboriginal participation in the study, the panel came up with only one recommendation to deal specifically with Aboriginal people.

Recommendation 15 states: "Integrate the practices and wisdom of Aboriginal culture into all aspects of the justice system."

"Aboriginal people are over-represented among offenders," the study reports. "Our societal schism and racism are played out in the justice system. Integrating Aboriginal cultural values and practices is key to addressing the root causes of crime."

The study outlines the roles and responsibilities of various parts of the city, and states that the community values of the Aboriginal community, Elders' views, and community sentencing all play a part in addressing concerns about crime and safety.

The study also suggests that public institutions, schools and teachers need to promote a greater understanding of and appreciation for Aboriginal culture among non-Aboriginal students.

The study says the City of Edmonton should support the Aboriginal community's increased role in the justice system. It will promote a greater appreciation for the value of Aboriginal culture.

"It's important that Aboriginal culture be a part of the justice system. So many of the caseloads in the system are Aborigina," said Cardinal. "There is definitely a perspective there that is missing largely when it comes to the justice system."

The justice recommendation is one of 19 that come out of the study, however, the study does not recommend any way to measure the advancements made by Edmonton to make the city more inclusive, nor any time by which the recommendations should be implemented.