A member of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation will soon sit on Ottawa City Council.
Current councilors approved the Anishinabe Algonquin Civic Cultural Protocol without debate Wednesday.
The protocol recognizes the Anishinabe Algonquins as the city‘s host nation and makes a series of promises to increase their prominence and participation in city arts, heritage and culture programming.
An Algonquin Elder will be appointed as a non-voting member of council.
The protocol includes a five-year framework that encourages more Algonquin involvement in cultural industries, as well as reducing barriers for use of city recreation facilities.
It encourages the removal of Indigenous-themed mascots and names from non-Indigenous sports organizations using city facilities. There will also be a a consultative culture circle that meets a couple times per year.