Permanent Indigenous Space

Aaniin, boozhoo, shekoli, shekon, tansi,

Welcome to the Permanent Indigenous Space Engage page for members of Indigenous communities living in Waterloo Region. My name is Alanah Jewell and I am Bear Clan from Oneida Nation of the Thames. I am an Indigenous youth, artist, community organizer and the lead for Indigenous engagement on behalf of the Permanent Indigenous Space collective. I'm currently a consultant for the City of Kitchener, and formerly the Parks Engagement Associate between July 2020-September 2021. Thank you for taking the time to work with me. My hope is to create positive and respectful dialogue around what Permanent Indigenous Spaces look like in Kitchener and Waterloo.

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You can also get in touch any time at alanah@morningstardesigns.ca.

Background

We know that outdoor gathering spaces for Indigenous communities are needed across parks in Kitchener and Waterloo. This was highlighted through the work of Land Back Camp, and the growing need to implement a collaborative, region-wide reconciliation action plan. Through a team made up of staff from the City of Kitchener and City of Waterloo, permanent Indigenous spaces in urban parks are now in the works at very early stages.

Our common goal is to create permanent, welcoming spaces for Indigenous peoples to gather, practice culture, and host initiatives in public parks. Our hope is to set a precedent for other parks and open spaces in Kitchener and Waterloo, for other municipalities to commit to co-creating Indigenous spaces of reclamation, and build relationships with local Indigenous communities. At the heart of this work is a commitment to supporting Indigenous reclamation of culture, space and identity, and to advocate for reconciliation at a municipal level.