Meeting #1: March 15-16, 2018, Winnipeg
The two-day inaugural meeting focused on relationship building. The CLI tackled tough, often uncomfortable issues and established a strong foundation of trust and understanding.
Based on the principles of Collaborative Consent, the CLI leaders were put through a series of activities and presentations to embark on a pathway to reconciliation and implement the broader political and legal commitments of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action.
The leaders believed that the time had come to act; and agreed that by working together they had the power to move forward in leaps and bounds. They also agreed this process, and the anticipated positive outcomes, could provide a path for jurisdictions across Canada to follow.
Meeting #2: June 27-28, 2018, Brokenhead Ojibway Nation
Twenty-eight elected leaders gathered and reviewed background information to bridge the gap in understanding the systems that have held us in place. The leaders welcomed experts from across Canada as they explored topics like the Indian Act, the Municipal Act and the limitations of the current tax system. They also explored successful collaborations across Canada.
Meeting #3: November 16-17, 2018, Winnipeg
At the third meeting, the leaders considered ways forward. They explored the special and unique mix of assets in the region and how they could work together, as governments, to redefine what could be accomplished. The leaders recommitted to advancing the CLI, exploring economic opportunities, enhancing stewardship activities, and improving the quality of life for all through the principles of a circular economy.
Meeting #4: March 1, 2019, RM of St. Andrews
At this historic meeting, 28 elected leaders in the Collaborative Leadership Initiative gathered at Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). It was here, almost 150 years ago, that the original singing of Treaty 1 took place on August 3, 1871. The MOU recognizes the considerable political value of First Nations and municipal governments formally agreeing to work together on common goals and interests. It is the first time an MOU has been signed by this many First Nation and municipal government partners and reflects the spirit of reconciliation, the re-building of trust between governments, and recommitment to the Treaty relationship. Signatories gifted each other with medals that replicated the original numbered treaty and medals. These medals feature a handshake between two parties as a symbol of the true spirit of the treaties.
Meeting #5: October 10, 2019, Winnipeg
With relationships solidified and shared governance table established, the CLI leaders met on October 10th to pursue a circular economy model focused on reducing waste and resource inputs, to sustainably grow the economy. The CLI leaders focused on two initial priorities and projects to move forward with: 1) Priority: Solid waste & Project: A regional waste management initiative, 2) Priority: Water management and Project: Exploring the feasibility of developing a water quality trading program.
That night, the CLI leaders were joined by the public to view the premier of the film CLI Reconciliation in Action by award-winning filmmaker Denis Paquette and Carmen Henriquez from RealWorld Media. This film was dedicated to the memory of Garry McLean. It shared the story of the CLI and celebrates its accomplishments.
Meeting #6: February 20, 2020, Headingley, MB
The CLI leaders met at the Headingley Community Centre for a full day of presentation and discussion. They reflected on their progress and movement from talk to action. This meeting was unique because the leaders invited members of their administrators, and an important step to ensuring that the collaboration advanced at the CLI table becomes embedded in each participating community’s processes and policies. It was a tremendously productive gathering that resulted in the establishment of a steering committee to lead detailed discussion on CLI projects and provide practical advice on expanding the leadership table.
Meeting #7: October 15, 2020 (Zoom Meeting)
The Art of the Possible provided the leaders with an update on the project team’s progress and offered directions for next steps. The expert advisors gave an update on Water Quality Trading and waste management in the region including the progress of the quadrant working groups. Before the meeting, all members received a package with the amazing artwork of local storyteller and artist Bob Haverluck. During the meeting, local storyteller Jaime Oliviero led the group in an exploration of how the CLI leaders can bring their vision to life through the power of story.
Meeting #8: February 4, 2021 (Zoom Meeting)
The CLI hosted a global online conference, “Building Strong Communities: A Circular Approach” to further the understanding of how circular economy principals have been used successfully in other jurisdictions to protect water, reduce waste while creating good jobs and a strong economy.
Meeting #9: October 8, 2021, Pineridge Hollow, MB
The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way we’ve met and kept in touch. Although we did not have the opportunity to meet in-person for almost two years, the progress and important work continued as communities organized and moved forward on projects as a larger CLI group, quadrant and community-to-community. The status quo is being challenged every day by this group of insightful leaders and their administration who are actively seeking more collaborative ways of solving some of the very tough problems that face their communities. On October 8, 2021, the CLI leaders gathered for their first in-person meeting since the pandemic begun. At this meeting, they discussed next steps for the Collaborative Leadership Initiative. The discussions focused on how to expand the circle to ensure the hard work of the CLI is shared with their councils, administrations, and communities. Leaders also explored opportunities to embed the CLI process—reconciliation in action—in their policies, processes, and governance. Ensuring the hard work of the leaders lives on.
Meeting #10: March 17, 2023, Winnipeg
CIER and our partners at Winnipeg Metropolitan Region and Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) brought together Chiefs, Mayors, and Reeves from First Nations and municipalities across southern Manitoba. It was the tenth meeting of the Collaborative Leadership Initiative (CLI), a shared governance that CIER helped establish over five years ago. Hosted in Winnipeg, the meeting focused on the leaders reflecting on their accomplishments and continuing to move their work forward. Committed to reconciliation and collaboration, they’ve initiated several projects that help project shared lands and waters and advance community wellbeing, including natural infrastructure projects that strengthen shorelines and remove harmful nutrients from the water. Mapping projects were also developed to build a common database for making decisions on the land and knowledge sharing on key topics such as Treaty Land Entitlement and sustainable economies. Demonstrating the “art of the possible”—innovative solutions can be achieved when leaders come together on issues of common concern.
