Port Moody Mayor, Meghan Lahti Talks Truth and Reconciliation

We’ve Got Issues host, Nancy Furness, speaks with Meghan Lahti, Mayor of Port Moody, about the leadership role Port Moody has taken on concerning Reconciliation.

Meghan says a recently held ‘blanket exercise’ in Port Moody addressed the ‘truth’ part of Truth and Reconciliation. The exercise teaches non-Indigenous people about colonialism by taking them on a journey to personally experience its impacts. She plans on holding this exercise on an annual basis.

Meghan says the City of Port Moody also supports the ongoing ‘In the Presence of Ancestors’ project which acknowledges that Port Moody is on the shared traditional territory of six First Nations groups. Port Moody resident, Tasha Faye Evans, is the driving force behind the project which will see house-posts to be positioned along Ports Moody's Shoreline Trail. The main house post entitled Tsleil Waututh was carved by Squamish artist and carver James Harry at the Noons Creek Hatchery and was completed and blessed in 2023 Two more house posts were completed and blessed in 2024, and work continues on the three remaining posts. The artists involved include; Chrystal Sparrow from the Musqueam Nation, Xwalacktun from the Squamish Nation, Brandon Gabriel from the Kwiwkwetlem Nation, q̓ic̓əy̓ from Katzie Nation, and Zachary George from Tsleil Waututh first nation.

A Land Acknowledgement recognizing the unceded homelands is important because it’s a way to respectfully recognize Port Moody’s rich Indigenous history. Meghan shares that the Tsleil Waututh had a village in Port Moody, while other First Nations used Port Moody for seasonal fishing. She says Port Moody partners with Tsleil Waututh, Kwikwetlem, and Squamish for guidance.

The Port Moody Mayor and Council hired an Indigenous Relations Manager to ensure the values of Truth and Reconciliation are incorporated into everything they do. Meghan encourages residents to participate in opportunities such as the ‘blanket exercise’ and blessing ceremonies and to build respectful relationships. Meghan also talks about a project in təmtəmíxʷtən/Belcarra Regional Park which will take the area back to its original state.

Meghan says Port Moody is committed to Reconciliation despite challenges of resources, bureaucracy, building trust, education and awareness.