A Land Reflection on National Indigenous Peoples Day 2021
juin 18, 2021 — Uncategorized
NewCities is located on the unceded Indigenous lands of Tiohtià:ke, traditionally known as a gathering place for many First Nations. The Kanien’kehá:ka Nation is recognized as the custodians of the lands and waters on which the city of Montréal was built, today home to many Indigenous and non-indigenous people. As an organization committed to shaping a better urban future, we recognize the invaluable contributions of Indigenous land stewardship and traditional knowledge to the design of sustainable, inclusive, and resilient communities.
As an organization committed to equity that works at the intersection of land use planning and many other aspects of city-building, we have a responsibility to reflect on Indigenous Peoples Day and beyond.
It is essential to acknowledge the role of settler colonialism and how it shapes our cities. We recognize the invaluable contributions that Indigenous communities make through participation in urban placemaking, sustainable development, local government, and much more.
We’ve compiled a list of resources on these topics to encourage the urban community to continue their learning journey and strive for inclusive practices that incorporate the perspectives, voices, and knowledge of Indigenous peoples.
INDIGENOUS-LED CITY ORGANIZATIONS TO FOLLOW
- Montreal Indigenous Community NETWORK
- Native Montréal
- Native Friendship Center of Montréal Inc.
- Native Alliance of Quebec
- First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Sustainable Development Institute
- Corporation Waskahegan
- Yellowhead Institute
- Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness
- Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
- Métis Nation Self-Determination Gateway
- The National Association of Friendship Centres
- Indigenous Leadership Initiative
CREATING A LAND REFLECTION
- Native Land Digital
- A guide to Indigenous land acknowledgement by the Native Governance Center
WEBINARS
- Engagement Best Practices for Indigenous Communities by eDemocracy Webinar Series powered by ETHELO
ARTICLES
- City of Victoria cancels Canada Day broadcast as First Nations mourn residential school deaths June 10, 2021 – Vancouver Sun
- The bold new plan for an Indigenous-led development in Vancouver January 3, 2020 – The Guardian
- Indigenous communities are reworking urban planning, but planners need to accept their history May 8, 2018 – The Conversation
- Can Indigenous culture ever coexist with urban planning? November 22, 2016 – The Guardian
- The Bright Side of Indigenous Urbanization for Biodiversity February 4, 2015 – The Nature of Cities
REPORTS
- Montréal Homelessness & Indigneous Housing: A policy report with recommendations for action by By Lou Seltz and Dimitrios Roussopoulos
- The City of Toronto’s Urban Indigenous Action Plan
PODCASTS
- Ahkameyimok Podcast with National Chief Perry Bellegarde by the Assembly of First Nations
- MediaINDIGENA hosted and produced by Rick Harp
- Warrior Life by Pam Palmater
- All My Relations with Matika Wilbur
- Red Man Laughing with Ryan McMahon
- Coffee with my Ma by Kaniehtiio Horn
BOOKS
- “Reclaiming Indigenous Planning” essays compiled by Ryan Walker and Ted Jojola
- “Planning for Coexistence? Recognizing Indigenous rights through land-use planning in Canada and Australia” by Libby Porter and Janice Barry
- “Indigenous in the City: Contemporary Identities and Cultural Innovation” essays and articles compiled by Evelyn Peters and Chris Anderson
- “From the Ashes: My Story of Being Métis, Homeless, and Finding my Way” by Jesse Thistle
- “Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants” by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Please reach out to us if you have any feedback/comments or if you have any additional resources to recommend!
Photo credit: Jeremy Gribbin