On September 30, Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the SSHRC Quality in the Built Environment Research Partnership pays tribute to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, whose history, resilience, and living cultures shape a rich and complex territorial mosaic.
The contributions of Indigenous partners are essential to any reflection and action plan that could lead to improving quality in terms of greater equity, social value, and sustainability.
The growing involvement of Indigenous voices in our partnership approach confirms that any conversation about the built environment in Canada must begin by including Indigenous voices and ways of knowing. Today, we celebrate all efforts to implement the practice of “Two-Eyed Vision” (ETUAPTMUMK), which—as Mi’kmaq elder Albert Marshall has clearly demonstrated—encourages a strong and sincere connection between Indigenous and Western modes of knowledge for beneficial results.
Through several initiatives, including the establishment of a new group of “Emerging Indigenous Leaders (EIL),” our partnership seeks to create a space for Indigenous youth to share their perspectives and projects to guide our work. We are deeply grateful to them for their openness and for the trust they have placed in all the cross-sector teams across Canada.
By listening and learning, we recognize the history of the territories where we live and work. We recognize that the lands we inhabit have been shaped by generations of Indigenous practices that respect the natural environment.
We would like to express our deep gratitude to Indigenous elders, knowledge keepers, youth, and community representatives who share their time, perspectives, cultures, and knowledge with us.
Opening ceremony of the Montreal Convention on Thursday, August 24, 2022. Mr. Charles Otsi’tsakèn:ra Patton and Mrs. Niioie:ren Patton offered words of gratitude welcoming the participants.
Mr. Otsi’tsakèn:ra, Elder of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) people delivered a welcoming prayer and then explained:
“When people come together, no matter what the occasion, the Elders of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) people taught us that we must first honour the forces that give us life and that will also ensure our future.
This ceremony has been going on since the beginning of time. Its purpose is to remind all who participate to remember to be grateful…”
The links below refer to milestones in our shared journey since 2022:
2022: The Montreal Convention in August 2022 is launched and blessed by Indigenous elders:
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2023: Research ethics in a podcast by Josie C. Auger (Kikapekiskewin):
2023: Professor McAdam reflects on the “curse of the Indian Act and First Nations housing”:
2023: Student Perspectives on Quality: Indigenous Art and Student Photographs:
2023: Craig Blacksmith, Dakota Oyate Knowledge Keeper, summarizes barriers to quality housing in Indian affairs and on-reserve housing:
2023: Wanda Dalla Costa, a member of the Saddle Lake Cree Nation, discusses the vision of ecological transition and new methods for strengthening our connection to place:
2024: The Calgary site welcomes new partners and secures funding for Indigenous participation:
2024: Laurentian University presents a study program with the Indigenous community:
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2024: Halifax Convention: Meeting on Indigenous ways of knowing and creating places. (Josie C. Auger + Trishtina Godoy-Contois) with representatives from: York Factory First Nation, Red River Métis, Big River First Nation, Attawapiskat First Nation, Berens River First Nation, Albert Metis Region 5, Coral Harbour Nunavut.
2025: Partners in Winnipeg, Sudbury, and Vancouver are actively working to understand the needs of Indigenous communities in the built environment:
2025: Skye Gillson, member of the Navajo Nation, architect at Childers Architects (Phoenix, USA), is one of the 6 members of our new International Advisory Panel:
