President Cathy Skene opened the meeting with the club's land acknowledgement and the singing of O'Canada led by Dave Morris.

Chair Announcements

President Cathy announced that Friday, October 11 is International Day of the Girl Child, a day dedicated to celebrating the voices and power of girls, championing their rights worldwide, and reflecting on the challenges they continue to face because of their gender. Canada led the international effort to establish this day to draw attention to the persistent inequalities and dangers that too many girls face around the world. The United Nations subsequently adopted a resolution to formally recognize this important date. Across Canada and around the world, girls are making an impact and creating positive change in their communities and far beyond. They are leading the way as students, entrepreneurs, volunteers and activists, and proving that you are never too young to shape the future and improve the lives of others. Think about what you can do to honour and support girls.

Polio Plus: We did it. $1,000 was donated which matches our matching donor, so $2,000 will go to Polio Plus, in addition to the $1,000 the club budget. Also, Bill Gates has a 2 for 1 match up to $50 million, so it may grow even more. Good job, everyone. Video here.

Speaking of polio, here is a Ted talk with Sir Ken Robinson on the subject of Polio.

President Cathy was invited to speak to the Carlton Breakfast Club Friday 11th. They are interested in learning about the work that our club does. A slide show is planned to share photos of our club at work.

40th Club Anniversary

We are in the process of forming a steering committee to plan an event to celebrate our club’s 40th anniversary. This is an exciting, once in a lifetime event, so let’s not let the opportunity slip by. As a young club, 40 years is worth a celebration. We need volunteers to contribute to organizing this. We’re planning a start-up meeting soon.

Outreach

Last year we took part in postsecondary student volunteer fairs at MITT and the RRC Exchange campus. This year we will be at MITT again, on October 16th, and at the RRC Notre Dame campus on November 27th. Iain and Cathy will be hosting our table. If you have any suggestions for information we can provide students, particularly volunteer opportunities related to our club, please let one of them know.

After dinner, Lloyd introduced our guest, Hani Khalidi, Reconciliation Specialist with the Government of Manitoba - Indigenous Reconciliation Secretariat.

Hani introduced himself and his career leading to his present role with the Government of Manitoba. He spoke on reconciliation and the truth behind it. His position as Reconciliation Specialist provides evidence-based analytic support and advice on a variety of indigenous policy and program issues as related to the Manitoba Government.

Working to identify methods of measuring progress to achieve provincial objectives, his responsibilities include working with other provincial departments, Indigenous organisations/communities and other levels of government to coordinate, research, analyse, develop and implement a range of provincial policies, programs and initiatives aimed at contributing to an improved quality of life for Indigenous and northern Manitobans. Hani explained the Act was brought into effect in 2016.

The Path to Reconciliation Act led to reconciliation. The ongoing process of establishing and maintaining mutually respectful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples to build trust, affirm historical agreements, address healing and create a more equitable and inclusive society.

Calls to Action – Calls for Justice. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) provided those directly or indirectly affected by the legacy of the Indian Residential Schools system with an opportunity to share their stories and experiences. Between 2007 and 2015, the Government of Canada provided about $72 million to support the TRC's work. The TRC spent 6 years travelling to all parts of Canada and heard from more than 6,500 witnesses.

In June 2015 - 94 "calls to action" (or recommendations) to further reconciliation between Canadians and Indigenous Peoples.

The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls published its Final Report in 2019, including 231 Calls for Justice intended to address the root causes that sustain violence against First Nations, Inuit, and Métis women, girls, two-spirit and gender-diverse people.

After the presentation, there were questions surrounding the placement of graves on private land and how that impacts the protection of those sites. These struggles arise from private ownership being challenged by those who wish to visit the sites. The last Residential school closed in 1996, therefore there are still to this day survivors who are in their 40’s. There are no easy answers. Hani explained there are no graves in the Assiniboine sites. The intergenerational trauma still shows in the people of families of residential schools. The removal of language removed the culture of those who were in residential schools.

A question was raised on how we see reconciliation. Hani explained it's not up to us, we should ask those affected as to how they see reconciliation and here is how you can reconcile with us. Hani recommends we all read “the 94 calls to action” as it explains what those who have been affected want.

Another question from a newcomer to Canada was what is Canada trying to do to help. Hani explained that as a prosperous country those indigenous people missed out on many opportunities but they seek an equitable way forward and the Government wants this to be the way forward. They cannot undo the harms of the past, but the hope is they can provide a more equitable future to indigenous people.

After Speaker... Lloyd thanked Hani for his explanation and giving us an understanding of what reconciliation means.

Before Dinner, Sarge Mike introduced our guest Hani Khalidi followed by member happy bucks and anniversaries.

• Jagdesh was happy to let us know Mahatma Gandhi's birthday was on the 2nd of October and is commemorated as Gandhi Jayanti, a national holiday and as the International Non-Violence day across the world. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born in Porbandar, a town in Gujarat in western India on 2 October 1869.
• Dave S. was happy his mum turned 90 on Sunday the 6th of October
• Chuck gave 2 happy bucks as the Charleswood Historical Society has Grey Cup draw tickets to raise funds and found from the previous week someone had not kept their ticket, instead chose to keep their stub.

Finally Sarge Mike fined each person not wearing an orange shirt to everyone’s laughter.

The draw produced a winner in Jack however was not able to draw the marble.

There is no meeting next week on Thanksgiving.

On October 21st, we will welcome Lori Blande and Brenda Baleziuk from the Council of Winnipeg Women. If you haven’t thought of a way to support girls by then, ask them. They have ideas. On September 28th President-Elect David and Cathy attended a luncheon celebrating their organisation’s 130th anniversary. President Cathy had a very important role: holding the door open for the guests. Lieutenant-Governor Anita Neville was impressed with her door holding skills.

Have a very happy Thanksgiving.