Calgary marks 10-year progress on truth and reconciliation commitments
City council heard an update on its work toward the 94 Calls to Action, with wins on housing, memorials and procurement—but barriers remain for Indigenous businesses.
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Calgary city council heard an update Monday marking 10 years since the White Goose Flying report, the 2016 blueprint for reconciliation the Calgary Aboriginal Urban Advisory Committee named after an Indian Industrial School student who died at St. Dunstan's.
The report identified 43 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action that the City of Calgary could directly implement or support. The city has launched an interactive dashboard tracking progress toward those commitments.
Progress includes renaming The Confluence Historic Site and Parkland, dedicating millions to build affordable housing for Indigenous families, and running a camp for Indigenous people considering becoming firefighters. The city adopted its Indigenous Policy in 2017 and established the Indigenous Relations Office in 2020. In 2025, it signed a memorandum of understanding with the Blackfoot Confederacy and is finalizing plans this year for an MOU with Bearspaw First Nation.
Lorelei Higgins, team lead for the city's Indigenous Relations Office, said the day "offers an important opportunity to recognize the commitment, progress and achievements reached together" and "reflects the steps taken to strengthen meaningful relationships with Indigenous peoples."
Yet barriers persist. Violet Meguinis of Tsuu'tina Nation administration said the procurement process limits Indigenous business involvement. "It does limit Indigenous businesses' involvement, and that has to be looked at and changed," she said. "It's always about policy ... it's your policy, it's not our policy, and there's barriers to that." The city says its Indigenous Procurement Strategy is still in progress.
The Permanent Indian Residential School Memorial project has completed its design phase and is on schedule and within budget for anticipated completion by spring 2028. Mayor Jeromy Farkas said significant progress has been made, adding: "Reconciliation is not a journey that comes to an end." The city is looking forward to working with Indigenous leadership to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the signing of Treaty 7 next September.
How much of the 'millions' pledged for Indigenous affordable housing has been spent, and what is the timeline for delivery?
What is the specific timeline for the city's Indigenous Procurement Strategy, and what changes does it propose?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
What is the White Goose Flying report?
The White Goose Flying report is a 2016 blueprint for reconciliation created by the Calgary Aboriginal Urban Advisory Committee, named after an Indian Industrial School student who died at St. Dunstan's. It identified 43 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action that Calgary could directly implement or support.
When will the Permanent Indian Residential School Memorial be completed?
The Permanent Indian Residential School Memorial is anticipated to be completed by spring 2028. The project has completed its design phase and is on schedule and within budget.
What barriers does Violet Meguinis say limit Indigenous business involvement in Calgary?
Violet Meguinis of Tsuu'tina Nation administration said the city's procurement process limits Indigenous business involvement, citing policy barriers that need to be changed. The city says its Indigenous Procurement Strategy is still in progress.
What major commitments has Calgary made to Indigenous reconciliation since 2016?
Calgary adopted its Indigenous Policy in 2017, established the Indigenous Relations Office in 2020, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Blackfoot Confederacy in 2025, and has dedicated millions to build affordable housing for Indigenous families. The city also renamed The Confluence Historic Site and Parkland and runs a camp for Indigenous people considering becoming firefighters.
