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Americas & The Caribbean

Indigenous Cultural Centre Feasibility Study in Lethbridge, Canada

Lethbridge is located within the heart of Siksikaitsitapi (Blackfoot) Territory and the Metris Nation of Alberta, Region 3. Indigenous partners in the city have long articulated the need for an Indigenous Cultural Centre (ICC), including its ability to contribute to positive health and wellness, education, economic and cultural outcomes, as well as advancing reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples.

Indigenous Cultural Centre Feasibility Study in Lethbridge, Canada

CROSS-CUTTING SECTORS

Good Governance, Inclusion, Community-Led

ORGANISATION(S)

City of Lethbridge including urban Indigenous Communities and the public. 

PROJECT OVERVIEW 

Lethbridge is located within the heart of Siksikaitsitapi (Blackfoot) Territory and the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3. Indigenous partners in the city have long articulated the need for an Indigenous Cultural Centre (ICC), including its ability to contribute to positive health and wellness, education, economic and cultural outcomes, as well as advancing reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples. In 2019, the City and its partners undertook a Feasibility Study to understand the business case for an ICC. The study sought to harness the power of meaningful, user-driven engagement to generate shared understanding of the needs, benefits and opportunities of an ICC, including its purpose, function and governance. The projects approach to engagement challenged paradigms, whereby the Project Team transformed from leader to listener and Indigenous partners, from audience to narrator in so doing, Indigenous voices were empowered, and a legacy was created project and community. Click here to find out more. 

RELEVANCE TO THE CALL TO ACTION ON SUSTAINABLE URBANISATION ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH 

These examples have been chosen because of their relevance to the Call to Action, as shown by the direct quotes provided below. To view the Call to Action click here.

  • “Sustainable urbanisation demands collective action – genuine multi-level governance – to empower, enable and support cities and their citizens.”
  • “Cities and human settlements are responsible for ensuring delivery of essential services including water, sanitation, healthcare, education, public transport, and housing, upon which their citizens depend.”
  • “Sustainable urbanisation requires a commitment to good governance, integrated planning, effective service delivery together with fiscal and political empowerment.”

THIS EXAMPLE HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY

Commonwealth Association of Planners (CAP) Awards: https://www.commonwealth-planners.org/