Edmonton Human Rights Committee Meeting Minutes (July 11, 2023)

The Human Rights Committee discuss issues and plan events relating to PSAC’s Indigenous, Persons With Disabilities, LGBTQ2+ and Racially Visible caucus members. Check out these minutes for current actions and events!

Edmonton Human Right Committee General Meeting

July 11th, 2023 @ 5:30PM              

IN-Person and Zoom Hybrid Meeting

In Attendance:

Regrets:

Omar Ahmed – (CEIU 30851)Treasurer

Guests: None

1. Call to Order / Land Acknowledgement / Harassment Statement
   • Charmaine called the meeting to order at 5:35PM.
   • The Antiharassment statement was not read as a copy was not available, but it was explained that if one feels disrespected during the meeting, to reach out to Charmaine at 780-554-4332 or via Email listed in the meeting call-out.
   • Charmaine made a sincere land acknowledgement and welcomed attendees to do same.
2. Approval of the Agenda:
   • Approved by consensus
3. Review and approval of the previous meeting’s agenda:
   • Charmaine read the previous handwritten minutes as a copy was not available prior to the meeting. Approved via consensus.
4. Reports:
   • Chairperson’s report:
     • Charmaine gave a quick recap that the committee budget request had not been decided for approval/rejection/partial approvement requiring additional information.
     • She stated that we are prohibited as a committee from expending any existing funds, until we get a response from Regional PSAC.
     • Charmaine has not contacted either Chevi Rabbitt or Lisa Richards to discuss learning opportunities/committee engagements, as we are not permitted to expend any existing funds as we have not heard back about our budget request. Move this item to once committee expenditures are approved.
   • Treasurer’s report:
     • Because the PSAC office has been occupied with post-strike and Convention work, the committee was not able to get a copy of the most recent bank statement, a treasurer’s report was not possible. Charmaine indicated that there have been no receipts of monies nor any expenditures in the last 2 months. Treasury report will resume at next meeting.
   • Other committee reports: none
5. Previous business:
   • Committee participation in Edmonton Pride August 24^th or 25^th — Charmaine updated that there are some volunteer positions that the committee could participate in i.e. watching the gates of the Pride Festival, ensuring that people do not leave the venue with alcohol etc. We could give out Pride Swag that already exists at the PSAC office (we do not have permission to expend any existing committee funds and our budget has not been approved yet)
   • Autism Edmonton Zoo Activity — Committee possible volunteers. Jessica gave an update that the event is taking place on Sunday Aug 27^th. Charmaine mentioned that those who applied for the Unionism On Turtle Island course in Winnipeg is that same weekend and so there may be some committee members who would not be able to participate, if they are selected to attend the course.
   • Committee involvement in the community for Truth and Reconciliation Day in September. Kim to find out if there is a sweat that the committee could possibly participate it. Kim was not able to reach an elder as yet and will get back to us at the next committee meeting. Charmaine suggested that we could wear out “Every Child Matters” PSAC t-shirt in the community.
6. New business:
   • possibility of attending a city event for Truth and Reconciliation Day. Charmaine to look into city events closer to the date, as nothing has been posted on city websites as yet.
   • Charmaine mentioned that an act of possibly renaming the Edmonton PSAC board room could be a meaningful act of reconciliation and preserving indigenous languages. She stated she is not very familiar with the protocol but learned that it is important to communicate over several days, with an elder, and gain insight on how to go about seeing if this would be appropriate or possible. Kim advised that she is familiar with certain protocols involved and will look into it.
7. Actions:
   • Jessica:
     • Create a committee survey to send out to equity seeking members, asking what they would like to see the committee do. Ideas. It will include soliciting interest for Pride Festival and Autism Edmonton Zoo event.
       • Report next meeting.
     • Follow up with Edmonton Pride Festival to see where the committee could be useful.
   • Charmaine:
     • Enquire about Committee budget request. Complete any action items to do with budget request response, if received. Look up city activities that cost nothing, for committee to participate in for Truth and Reconciliation Day (in case that committee still cannot expend any existing funds in September.
       • Report back at next meeting.
   • Kim:
     • Consult with an elder about a possible sweat around the time of Truth and Reconciliation Day Consult with an elder re: possibly remaining the PSAC boardroom to an indigenous language name.
       • Report back at next meeting
8. Delegates to the National PSAC Equity Conference:
   • October 18^th, 2023 from the PSAC Edmonton Human Rights Committee:
     • Charmaine Nelson;
     • Kim Cardinal;
     • Jessica Burylo
9. Next meeting date, time and location:
   • September 5^th , 2023 @ 530PM in-person @ Edmonton RO and Zoom hybrid
10. Adjourment:
    • Meeting adjourned at 7:47pm