Surrey council rejects motion to recognize Indigenous land
Posted January 12, 2021 9:54 pm.
Last Updated January 12, 2021 10:13 pm.
SURREY (NEWS 1130) — A motion put forward by a Surrey councillor to have the city recognize the land as being Indigenous has been turned down by the majority of council.
Councillor Jack Hundial brought forward the motion, calling it a step towards reconciliation.
“For me, it seemed appropriate and relevant to where we are today — considering the events over the last few years to bring forth Indigenous acknowledgement for the City of Surrey, at every council meeting, and also committee meetings,” he tells NEWS 1130.
Hundial admits he’s confused why the council voted against the motion considering the high number of Indigenous people who call Surrey home, as well as the diverse groups of people who live in the city.
The councillor adds, the motion was presented in December, so his colleagues should have had enough time to bring up any concerns.
While Hundial says the city does a “good job” recognizing Indigenous people, he adds there are improvements that need to be made.
Hundial says mayor Doug McCallum acknowledged Kobe Bryant when we passed away last year and wonders why the same recognition isn’t being made for Indigenous people.
Hundial says several other cities on the Lower Mainland have done land recognitions.
