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'Mahsi Maggie': councillor gives final nod to Indigenous relations adviser

Simon Whitehouse
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Maggie Mercredi, the city's first Indigenous Relations Advisor, in her office on the main floor of city hall. Feb. 2019 Brett McGarry/NNSL Photo

City councillor Stacie Smith gave a final 'Mahsi' during last week's regular council meeting to Maggie Mercredi, former Indigenous relations adviser for the City of Yellowknife. 

Maggie Mercredi, the city's first Indigenous Relations Adviser, pictured in her now former city office in February 2019. Feb. 21 was her last day in the position after 18 months of service.
NNSL file photo

Mercredi's position was not renewed during the city's budget vote in December. Coun. Smith has been quite vocal in her support for retaining the position, as have other notable community figures, such as Ndilo Chief Ernest Betsina and social issues activist Arlene Hache.

At Monday's regular council meeting, Smith noted that Mercredi's 18-month tenure officially ended on Feb. 21. 

“I wanted to extend a huge thank you to her for starting the conversation," Smith said in her member's statement. "Her contributions to the community inspired the next generation. It not only allowed for the voices of many Indigenous people in the noise of colonialism but it also fueled a fire among Yellowknifers, Indigenous and non-indigenous.”  

Smith said she intends to carry on the spirit of reconciliation with her work at city hall.

In an interview after the statement, Smith called the termination of Mercredi's position "extremely disappointing" and that much more work needs to be done to extend reconciliation between Indigenous and non-indigenous peoples at city hall.

"I thought it was important that she was recognized for her work and her job ended without any real recognition brought forth to her," Smith said. "It had to be done and I don’t think anyone at council knew that her last day was on Friday (Feb. 21)."

Mercredi provided detailed responses to questions sent by Yellowknifer late last week. She described her level of pride, reflected on reconciliation developments that have occurred within city hall and her broader efforts to construct new relationships between Indigenous and non-indigenous peoples.

She praised Smith for her support and leadership as a Dene woman on council.

"Councillor Smith's recognition and acknowledgement made me proud, not because I was mentioned by name but because Coun. Smith, the first Indigenous person to ever be elected to Yellowknife City Council, a strong Dene woman, loving mother, business owner, and important leader in our community," she stated.

"By her acknowledgment and recognition, Coun. Smith shared a traditional teaching and Dene way: We don't just dismiss each other when the work is done. Rather, we acknowledge the person's commitment and time and honor the work done. This Dene way empowers people and keeps us strong. This is what made me proud. I am also happy to hear that Councillor Smith will continue on with this work in her capacity as city councillor. She has my full support."

Mercredi said there were times when she heard that the public thought that her work amounted to being a public relations role with little substance.

"In spite of hearing comments that my position was a 'PR opportunity' and being called a 'token Indian,' I did my best," she stated. "It is not the first time we Indigenous people (have) heard this. We hear it often. Sometimes, yes, it is the reality and sometimes not. Sometimes indifference stands in the way of equality. I did my best. I am proud of the work I did to support the City of Yellowknife staff with their council-to-council meetings with First Nations, support with events and programming, website inclusion, media releases, changes to the staff orientation document that introduces Yellowknife and the original people of this territory."
Coun. Stacie Smith had warm words for Maggie Mercredi, outgoing Indigenous relations advisor to the city during the Feb. 24 regular council meeting.
Indigenous inclusion in city governance was an ongoing and important theme during her tenure, she added. It led to the creation of an official city document centred around building reconciliation last summer.
"I worked to support Indigenous inclusion where I could," she stated. "I researched other municipal governments' work with Indigenous people and brought my findings to the weekly check-in meetings. I worked with the city lawyer, the senior administrative officer and other senior staff in creating the "Conversation Starter" - a document introduced to the community in 2019 - on starting the conversation of reconciliation. Leading to the community gatherings in Yellowknife, Ndilo and Dettah, and to input on social media and through emails for the action plan on reconciliation the City wishes to implement in 2020. At the end of my term, senior staff were working on the action plan."
Looking ahead, Mercredi agrees there is much more work to be done. She wants to see the creation of an Indigenous advisory committee or working group at city hall that would include staff, First Nations, Inuit and Metis representation from Yellowknife. The group or committee would build around the statement "Nothing about us, without us" and would meet to work at interpreting feedback and input from the community, she added.

"There are Indigenous people in Yellowknife from all over Turtle Island (and) it is important to bring those voices to the table," she stated.

Mercredi stated she was grateful for the community support to renew her contract, but she was glad to have an end date. She stated she remains open to working with the city as needed "to continue the training to new employees on the history and legacy of residential schools and colonization that I have facilitated for the City of Yellowknife since 2017, way before my term began.

"I will continue to seek opportunities that bring Indigenous and non-indigenous people together for genuine dialogue on issues that affect us all, building relationships and creating safe spaces to support each other as we work to create the future our next generation so rightly deserves."