Planning for Reconciliation – A Decade of Action and Beyond
As we reach the halfway point of the Decade of Action, the 2025 CIP/OPPI National Planning Conference provides a critical moment to reflect on progress and renew our collective commitment to reconciliation. Chief Perry Bellegarde will deliver a powerful keynote, drawing on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action—marking ten years since the Commission’s final report. With heartfelt acknowledgment of the steps taken, he will examine the persistent gaps in quality of life between First Nations and other Canadians, sharing personal and leadership experiences that illuminate both challenges and opportunities. In a time when some organizations are retreating from diversity, equity, and inclusion, he will challenge planners to center reconciliation in their work, ensuring Indigenous perspectives shape the future of Canadian communities. Join us for an inspiring call to action—because reconciliation is a journey, not a destination.