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 First Nations.
• Collaborating and seeking meaningful input on issues of mutual interest, including land use, economic development, services and infrastructure.
• Increasing public awareness of local First Nations, including their culture, history and governance.

Coquitlam’s Commitment to Reconciliation

Since 2022, the City has identified reconciliation as both a strategic goal and key priority in its Corporate Business Plan, which guides all activities and work across the organization. By doing this, the City has committed to taking concrete steps to enhance its positive relationship with the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm and other First Nations.  

Territorial Acknowledgement

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

We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-kwuh-tlum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”.  The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the sq̓əc̓iy̓aɁɬ təməxʷ (Katzie), and other Coast Salish Peoples.

For First Nations, 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 reconciliation.

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

Activities and Resources