Relationship Building and Reconciliation through Living Heritage
In January 2023, a year-long pilot program called “Relationship Building and Reconciliation through Living Heritage” commenced with funding through the Community Initiatives Fund. This pilot was developed in partnership by Heritage Saskatchewan with the Humboldt and District Museum and Gallery Office, the Office of the Treaty Commissioner (OTC) and Aboriginal Friendship Centres of Saskatchewan (AFCS). It is grounded in the local context of the Humboldt region using living heritage as an avenue to discuss heritage and reconciliation with a goal of building relationships.
Inspired by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada’s Calls to Action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) this four-part cyclical process is the result of conversations and feedback from communities who need help implementing calls from the TRC and UNDRIP in meaningful ways. The project was guided by an panel of Advisors who lent their expertise to the four-part cycle.
At this time the project is in a period of planning and discussion before we move into a new phase. Reconciliation work continues in Humboldt.
At the National Conference on October 24, 2025, in Halifax, Nova Scotia the Governors of the National Trust for Canada awarded Humbodlt Museum & Gallery and their project partners, with a Governor's Award for exceptional contributions to heritage in Canada. The were nine awards presented, including one to the City of Humboldt, Indigenous Advisory Circle and Heritage Saskatchewan for the Relationship Building and Reconciliation Through Living Heritage pilot project. Congratulations to Jennifer Fitzpatrick and staff at the Humboldt & District Museum and Gallery for continueing the work started in this pilot, which contributed to their receipt of the award.