Placemaking Week

How can Indigenous Placemaking be a tool to further a path of Truth and Reconciliation where we can understand the impacts of colonization and create inclusive spaces and initiatives that build relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities? This question resonates with communities around the world, who struggle to deal with discrimination, marginalization and human rights violations, as recognized by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples adopted in 2007. How do we move forward and foster inclusion? This hands-on workshop will take participants through two journeys. Boopsie Maran from New Zealand will share Māori principles that can inform placemaking practises: the importance of whanaungatanga (belonging), manaakitanga (hospitality), tūrangawaewae (a place to stand), and kaitiakitanga (guardianship). We will also explore a Canadian case study of Reconciliation at work in the community of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan—where several installations, events, and initiatives by a group called Reconciliation Saskatoon are creating change in their city. The workshop will take an in-depth look at how Indigenous ways of knowing, teachings and protocol can be honoured through placemaking. Workshop participants will learn and take part in a smudging ceremony as part of the experience. The workshop will include break out conversation groups that each explore different themes and tools that can be used to further Indigenous Placemaking in a variety of contexts.