The Canadian Press
WINNIPEG—The mayor of Winnipeg says he’s hopeful a two-day summit being held at the Canadian Museum of Human Rights will produce tangible results on how to fight racism.
Brian Bowman organized the Mayor’s National Summit on Racial Inclusion after Maclean’s magazine labelled Winnipeg the most racist city in Canada in a cover story at the beginning of this year.
The summit began yesterday, and included a keynote address by Canadian author Joseph Boyden and a speech by Manitoba treaty commissioner James Wilson.
Activists who complained of “barriers” posed by the official summit also staged an alternative event outside the museum.
But organizer Lenard Monkman said the two events shared similar goals.
“If we can create a better understanding of each other, that bodes well for the communities, it bodes well for the city, and it bodes well for the country,” he remarked.
Summit participant Stephanie Zamora said communication on the issue of racism is crucial.
“People feel included and respected when they’re engaged in any type of conversation,” she reasoned.
The summit comes as Winnipeg struggles with its image as an intolerant city, especially for aboriginal people.
“I’m really going to be attentive to listening to what tangible steps can the city take, what tangible steps can individuals take, and organizations take,” Bowman said yesterday.
“There’ll be something, I’m sure, for all of us to do as we move forward,” he added.
