CIP respectfully acknowledges it is located on the unceded territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation. CIP values the past and ongoing stewardship of all First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.

CIP Recognizes National Indigenous History Month 2023

“This June, Canadians celebrate National Indigenous History Month and come together to honour the history, heritage, and diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. The month marks an opportunity to learn more about Indigenous knowledge and contributions since time immemorial, and compels us to appreciate the strength and resiliency of Indigenous communities across Turtle Island. CIP recognizes that reconciliation is a fundamental component of achieving inclusive and vibrant communities that are respectfully connected to the natural world for the well-being of current and future generations. Looking toward the future, Canadian planners must continue to build meaningful relationships with Indigenous peoples based on mutual respect, trust, and dialogue, and work together to equitably advance the planning profession.”

Dan Huang RPP, MCIP

President, Canadian Institute of Planners

As CIP’s Policy on Planning Practice and Reconciliation details, the planning profession is interconnected with the process of reconciliation and has a responsibility to facilitate strong, respectful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

With planning practices operating at the nexus of land, livelihoods, policy, and governance, the profession acknowledges the detrimental impact that discriminatory planning practices have had and strives to pursue meaningful engagement with Indigenous communities. This includes the continued learning and adoption of inclusive planning approaches that recognize Indigenous rights, values, and knowledge systems. By taking action and working collaboratively with Indigenous communities, planners can ensure better outcomes for all.

As one of its five strategic action issues, reconciliation is an important priority for CIP. The Institute continues to support Indigenous planning approaches and broader cultural efforts toward reconciliation. It is also working to promote Indigenous cultural awareness across the profession and seeks to support Indigenous planners to help assist in ensuring their success within the profession. CIP supports the principles put forward in the TRC Final Report and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), and recognizes the impact they have on planning.

Joint Statement

In recognition of National Indigenous History Month, CIP is proud to share a joint statement with the Provincial and Territorial Institutes and Associations (PTIA) and Professional Standards Board (PSB). Through this statement, we encourage members and planning professionals at large to “…[strengthen] relationships with the Indigenous Peoples of their territory and find meaningful ways to incorporate Indigenous knowledge systems into their planning practice”.

Read the statement here.

Reconciliation Matters

NCC’s Urbanism Lab: Lessons in Indigenous Planning – Exploring best practices in Indigenous planning and design

On June 6, CIP proudly partnered with the National Capital Commission (NCC) for Lessons in Indigenous Planning, the final event in the ninth season of the NCC Urbanism Lab.

This panel discussion discusses just some of the traditions, sustainable practices, and innovative approaches that are employed by Indigenous communities in managing and stewarding their ancestral territories. Through presentations led by Dr. Ted Jojola, Distinguished Professor and Regents’ Professor at the University of New Mexico’s School of Architecture and Planning, and David Thomas, Planning and Design Lead at Treaty One Development Corporation, this event offers great insight into the vital role that Indigenous land-use planning plays in preserving cultural heritage, protecting ecosystems, and promoting sustainable development.

Click here to watch the recording of this event.


Coming This October: The Path: Your Journey Through Indigenous Canada

CIP is proud to begin offering the Indigenous cultural competency program The Path: Your Journey Through Indigenous Canada in French and English this October. This online course was created by NVision, a majority Indigenous-owned consulting company dedicated to empowering Indigenous communities. The Path is an acclaimed and interactive 5-module course on the history and contemporary realities of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis in Canada, and is being fully updated with a more interactive format and new lessons on land acknowledgements, unmarked graves, urban Indigenous realities, and Canada’s UNDRIP Act. Stay tuned for more details – and follow The Path on Facebook and LinkedIn to stay connected.


New: Indigenous-Related Postings on CIP’s National Job Board

As of June 1, 2023, job postings seeking an Indigenous employee, being placed by an Indigenous employer, and/or related to an Indigenous-focused job or internship will be eligible for a complimentary posting on CIP’s National Job Board. For questions, email careers@cip-icu.ca.


Indigenous-Focused Sessions at Navigation

Navigation, CIP and API’s joint national conference, features sessions dedicated to advancing knowledge on Indigenous planning and reconciliation. These include “Innovative Consultation Approaches on Indigenous-led Projects: Navigating opportunities, challenges, and expectations” and “Connecting to our roots through c̓əlisələm”, offered on-site in K’jipuktuk (Halifax, NS) and online. Recordings will be available following the conference.

Ahead of the conference, CIP encourages any attendees who may be in the area to attend the Mawita’jik Competition Pow Wow 2023. The pow-wow will be held at the Zatzman Sportsplex in Dartmouth, NS, from Friday, June 23 to Sunday, June 25, and features competitors and organizers from across North America. Read the event flyer for more information.
 

CIP-PSTF: SOAR Professional Services Indigenous Student Bursary

Since 2022, CIP is proud to support the CIP/ICU-Planning Student Trust Fund (CIP-PSTF) in administering the SOAR Professional Services Indigenous Student Bursary. This $5,000 bursary is awarded to an Indigenous student working towards a planning degree whose research background is reflective of their Indigenous traditions and culture and their commitment to making meaningful change in Indigenous communities.

CIP and CIP-PSTF wish to congratulate the 2023 recipient of this award, Sophia Elliott. For more information on the SOAR Professional Services Indigenous Student Bursary, please visit the CIP-PSTF website.


Indspire: College of Fellows Indigenous Planning Student Award

Launched in 2022, this annual award of $5,000 supports an Indigenous student in their post-secondary studies at an accredited Canadian planning program. Administered by Indspire, with the generous financial support of Urban Systems and the College of Fellows, the award was established “to contribute to broadening Canadian planning practice to better include Indigenous professional voices”. Find out more about the College of Fellows Indigenous Planning Student Award.

Resources

CIP has compiled an updated list of resources on reconciliation and Indigenous history, governance, and planning. We encourage you to use this as a tool to inform your professional practices and expand your personal knowledge of and connection with Indigenous cultures and values.

CIP Policies, Magazines, and Journal Articles

CIP Webinars and Presentations

Planning Ecosystem and Allied Profession Resources

Additional Resources

Multimedia Resources


Do you know of additional resources that are relevant to the planning community? Help us to gather and share learning resources for National Indigenous History Month by contacting us at communications@cip-icu.ca.