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While many municipal meetings begin with an acknowledgment they are being held on Treaty 6 land, Strathcona County will not be a part of the practice.

During a Feb. 7 council meeting, Coun. Dave Anderson presented a notice of motion asking that all council meetings include an expressed acknowledgment from the chairperson that the meeting is being held on Treaty 6 land.

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“My reason for doing this is that this is something that has been happening at 90 per cent of the meetings that I go to,” he said.

“There is an expressed acknowledgment that the meetings are being held on Treaty 6 land and acknowledging First Nations communities and I think that we here in Strathcona County should be doing this, as well.”

Coun. Paul Smith said it is most important to focus on building community.

“You need to explain to me why this acknowledgment will help each and every person to be treated equally regardless of ethnic background,” he said.