Halifax – The Halifax Regional Municipality is pleased to announce the members of the newly formed Special Advisory Committee on the Commemoration of Edward Cornwallis and Commemoration of Indigenous History.

Halifax Regional Council initiated the creation of this committee in the context of a 2015 statement of reconciliation, in which it committed to learning from the lessons of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and to a new equal partnership with Indigenous people in Canada, based on truth, dignity, and mutual respect.

The advisory committee’s focus over the coming months will be to identify a path forward that better recognizes Indigenous history, particularly of the Mi’kmaq, as it pertains to lands now known as Halifax Regional Municipality.

Part of that path forward involves providing Regional Council with recommendations on our shared history, including how we commemorate Edward Cornwallis on municipal assets, including Cornwallis Park, the statue, and Cornwallis Street.

The advisory committee will be co-chaired by We’koqma’q Chief Roderick Googoo, and Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 manager of research Dr. Monica MacDonald.

Chief Googoo is proud to be part of such an historical and monumental process.

“The Mi’kmaq have been here since time immemorial and it is important that our history is also recognized and told. This process will start the dialogue on how we tell our stories ...