Working with Indigenous Partners

Part of a nationwide conversation

Indigenous Peoples have been planning since time immemorial, and to this day, are leading cutting edge planning initiatives on their homelands.  Many Indigenous development groups are exploring opportunities that will contribute to the self-determination and prosperity of current and future generations while creating safe, equitable, and affordable  neighbourhoods aligned with the cultural, social, political, and environmental objectives of the community.

Urban Strategies works with Indigenous development corporations, community members and practitioners. We advise on land use strategies to advance the aspirations and needs of clients using a highly collaborative process, building on dialogue with advisors from Indigenous communities, and with the wider communities through a range of outreach methods.  In some cases, we work alongside Cultural Liaisons  to integrate traditional knowledge, values, and cultural elements into the process and outcomes. Cultural Liaisons are members of their Nations who form part of the core project team,  providing an ongoing link between the project team and the community  as well as advice and guidance to the broader team on how to approach planning, design and community engagement in a meaningful and culturally-appropriate way.

Projects incorporating Indigenous perspectives

We frequently work with Indigenous design and placekeeping practitioners on public and private-sector projects and in industry leadership roles.  We recognize the invaluable contributions of these practitioners and the positive impacts achieved by incorporating Indigenous design perspectives into projects  to advance development that upholds Indigenous cultural priorities and increases visibility of Indigeneity in urban centres.

In addition, our team regularly collaborates with and works alongside Indigenous planning, design, and engagement practitioners on both private and public sector projects and in industry leadership roles. These collaborations help broaden our firm’s knowledge, skills, and experiences – contributing to the firm’s culture of ongoing learning and commitment to reconciliation.