Reconciliation

Please watch this page for updates as we make progress on this important work. 

What is Reconciliation?

Reconciliation is a broad term for work that seeks to develop mutually respectful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada. 

For local government, Reconciliation activities may include:

• Strengthening relations and improving communications with local Indigenous peoples, including local First Nations.
• Collaborating and seeking meaningful input on issues of mutual interest, including land use, cultural revitalization, emergency response, climate and environment, economic development, services and infrastructure.
• Increasing public awareness of local First Nations, including their culture, history and governance, and local Indigenous peoples.

Coquitlam’s Commitment to Reconciliation

Coquitlam’s 2024 to 2027 Strategic Plan highlights Reconciliation as a strategic priority, underscoring the City’s ongoing commitment to strengthen relationships with the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm, other First Nations, and Indigenous peoples, including urban Indigenous residents. Building on the foundation laid in 2022, when reconciliation was formally recognized as a strategic goal in the City’s Corporate Business Plan, Coquitlam remains dedicated to fostering strong government-to-government relationships. This involves open, honest conversations, a willingness to learn and unlearn, and a cooperative approach to advancing reconciliation.

Vision

Coquitlam strives to build strong government-to-government relationships with First Nations, starting with kʷikʷəƛ̓əm.

We believe that honest and sincere conversation, an openness to learning and unlearning, and a commitment to cooperation, building and sustaining relationships, are central to advancing reconciliation.

Territorial Acknowledgement

As one part of our reconciliation work, Coquitlam has adopted the following territorial acknowledgement:

We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (HUN-kuh-MEE-num) word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-KWET-lum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee), and other Coast Salish Peoples. 

For Indigenous peoples, acknowledging traditional territory is a long-standing practice and regular aspect of governance relationships and ceremony. Acknowledgements have become common across Canada at formal meetings, conferences and events as a sign of respect and a first step in reconciliation.

Coquitlam’s territorial acknowledgement honours and recognizes the original inhabitants of the land on which the City sits today. It is reflected in a variety of locations including City email signatures, corporate print and online documents, the City website and introductions for formal meetings and events.

Collaboration

There are several areas of collaboration between kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation and the City of Coquitlam. The following are a sample of projects that we are working on together: 

Service Agreements: Since 2005 the City of Coquitlam has provided water, sewer and fire services to kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation for their community at slakəyánc (slah-kuh-yanz) (Coquitlam I.R. 1). This agreement is to be renewed in 2024.

Joint Flood Mitigation Initiative: The City and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm, along with additional investment from the federal and provincial governments, are set to establish a joint flood mitigation program for dike improvements and flood prevention measures, along the Coquitlam and Fraser Rivers, to support in protecting slakəyánc, the regional transportation network, Mayfair Industrial Park and ƛ̓éxətəm Regional Park. To learn more, read the information bulletin entitled “Kwikwetlem First Nation and Coquitlam To Establish Joint Flood Mitigation Program”.

Streetscape Enhancement: A multi-generational kʷikʷəƛ̓əm team led by Amanda Hugon of the Raven-Tacuara artist collective has designed and created two murals, “The Ripple” (1198 Pinetree Way), painted in 2023 and “Ancestral Legacy”, painted on Town Centre Park Community Centre in 2024. To learn more read the information bulletin entitled “New Art and Amenities Enliven Coquitlam Streetscapes”.