Sedona Embraces Canmore as Its Inaugural Sister City

Sedona, Arizona, will formally establish a sister city relationship with Canmore, Alberta, Canada, on Saturday, June 28, at 3:30 p.m. This follows the Sedona City Council’s approval of a friendship agreement on May 27, which was unanimously endorsed by Canmore’s Town Council on June 3.

The signing ceremony will be held in Canmore, featuring Mayor Sean Krausert and a 10-member delegation from the Sedona Sister Cities Association (SSCA). Sedona Mayor Scott Jablow will also be present. Residents of Sedona can watch the event virtually at the Community Library.

“This is a significant milestone for us,” said SSCA President Chuck Marr. “It took four years to find a city that complements Sedona, and we found that in Canmore.”

The Sedona City Council had previously approved a two-year friendship agreement on April 23, 2024. According to the agenda bill, this official designation strengthens the existing partnership and lays the groundwork for cultural, educational, and community collaborations.

Marr noted that once signed, the agreement wouldn’t require further authorization, as such relationships rarely dissolve. Canmore has previously partnered with Higashikawa, Japan, though that relationship has remained inactive for over a decade.

Krausert emphasized the positivity of the agreement, stating, “This is a good news story at a time when we need it.” The meeting included discussions about the value of cross-border friendships, attended by SSCA members and the Canmore-Sedona Friendship Committee.

Rob Seeley, chairman of the committee, highlighted the longstanding mission of Sister Cities International, established by President Eisenhower in 1956. He described how these initiatives foster peace and mutual understanding through personal relationships.

Seeley also recounted a historical anecdote about a peak named Mount Eisenhower in Canada’s Banff National Park, which illustrates the interconnectedness of local landscapes and global events.

“Even remote mountain communities can be affected by historical moments,” Seeley remarked, framing this agreement as a vital step in international friendship.

Krausert acknowledged the strengthening ties between U.S. and Canadian municipalities despite recent tariff debates. He stated, “Common interests bind us together, regardless of political discord.”

Concerns over the potential impact of U.S. tariff policies on the sister city relationship had been voiced by SSCA members, but Marr reiterated that the focus should remain on interpersonal connections rather than governmental shifts.

Canmore Councillor Wade Graham expressed reservations about travel and exchanges under the current U.S. administration, prompting Seeley to clarify that the initiative aims to build friendships, independent of political contexts.

The proposed sister cities agreement aims to enhance cultural, educational, and economic opportunities for both communities, underscoring the commitment to peace and collaboration.

Additionally, SSCA plans to present a friendship agreement with Jasło, Poland, to the Sedona City Council on July 8. Pending approvals from both cities, the signing is expected to occur during Jasło’s 18th annual Days of Wine Festival in late August.

Sister Cities Week in Sedona will take place from September 17-20, featuring events such as a concert at the Sedona Performing Arts Center, an International Dinner, and a Polish Picnic at Posse Grounds Park.

For further details about the Sedona Sister Cities Association, you can visit sedonasistercities.org.