In celebration of our 70th anniversary, we’re highlighting stories that connect our past with our present through a monthly series. In this article we reflect on our path towards truth and reconciliation and how we’re working together with our Indigenous partners to showcase Indigenous history and present-day culture through placemaking.
Striving for Meaningful Engagement and Collaboration
At Credit Valley Conservation (CVC), we believe that recognizing the territories, traditional knowledge and culture of Indigenous People is crucial to uphold our commitments to truth and reconciliation. Through our work to realize the vision of the Credit Valley Trail, we strive to support meaningful engagement and respectful collaboration with Indigenous partners- empowering Indigenous Peoples to share their stories, history and aspirations found along the trail route.
To facilitate Indigenous engagement, an Indigenous Roundtable was formed in the early stages of the project to guide planning related to Indigenous placemaking and cultural elements. The Indigenous Roundtable is made up of community members from several Indigenous nations in Canada including community members and Elders from the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Cree, Anishinaabe, Huron-Wendat First Nations and Métis.
Showcasing Indigenous History and Present-day Culture
In 2020, the Roundtable finalized the Credit Valley Trail Indigenous Experience Implementation Plan. This plan identifies conceptual designs to illuminate Indigenous historical and spiritual significance along the trail for seven location-specific Dodem (Clan) sites in the Credit River Watershed.
Ultimately, when fully achieved each of the seven key Dodem (Clan) sites will have interpretive, place-based learning features such as detailed signage with symbology and physical art installations to represent Indigenous history and present-day culture through teachings and artistic images.
Our Commitments
To ensure actionable, and tangible goals relating to truth and reconciliation, CVC’s Strategic Plan, Our Future Together (2023-2027) outlines our commitment to building and nurturing relationships with Indigenous nations, communities and peoples to advance reconciliation. In support of these commitments, CVC’s Conservation Area Master Strategy (2018-2028) includes an Indigenous Engagement Partnership Plan. These documents guide us to nurture existing relationships and build meaningful partnerships through engagement with local Indigenous communities and other ancestral nations.
With our commitments to Indigenous placemaking and following the recommendations from the Indigenous Engagement Partnership Plan, we’re looking to include many initiatives that incorporate Indigenous ways of knowing into our parks and organization. These commitments will pave a long road ahead to ensure Indigenous placemaking is not just an action but embedded in our strategy for future generations to come.
- Indigenous programming and placemaking at Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area
- Indigenous programming and placemaking along the Credit Valley Trail
- Integrating Indigenous knowledge and perspectives into CVC education programming
- Integrating Indigenous knowledge into CVC’s monitoring, restoration and management studies and plans
- Attending or integrating Indigenous ceremony into CVC activities
- Supporting CVC staff education, training and internal communications on Indigenous topics
- Identifying opportunities where CVC may choose to voluntarily go above and beyond the basic duty to consult under various acts of legislation, such as the Environmental Assessment Act
The Crane Gathering Space
The crane stands for “speaking out between nations”. Given this symbolic location at the northern trailhead of the Credit Valley Trail and being the first of the seven key gathering sites along the route at Island Lake Conservation Area, the crane was chosen as the first intervention and natural first step for Indigenous placemaking along the CVT.
70th Anniversary Garden
As a celebration of Credit Valley Conservation’s 70th anniversary and in appreciation of a gift of seeds from Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation Elder Carolyn King and the Credit Valley Trail Indigenous Roundtable, our staff planted the four sacred medicines tobacco, sweet grass, sage and cedar within a native plant garden. It’s designed to honour Indigenous knowledge and as a symbol of the journey we are on to listen and learn from Indigenous Peoples.
We are committed to learning, growing and taking steps on the path toward reconciliation together with Indigenous Nations, communities and peoples connected to the Credit River and surrounding watershed. CVC acknowledges that our path to truth and reconciliation requires our organization to take a step back and listen to First Nations communities needs, and value the spiritual and cultural strengths Indigenous Peoples bring to care for the land and the Credit River Watershed. We are committed to working with Indigenous Peoples and have a lot to learn as we want this relationship to be a lasting and enduring one.
By: Raiden Levesque, Senior Coordinator, Credit Valley Trail and Indigenous Engagement
Raiden Levesque was born in Mississauga, Ontario. Raiden is a citizen of The Métis Nation Of Ontario. His Métis ancestors stem from the Red River Settlements on his father’s side, Métis surnames Pilon and Dupuis, that were predominantly French descent, mixed with Cree, Saulteaux, Dene and Dakota ancestry. His mother is Irish and Scottish decent. Raiden loves to participate in ceremonies any chance he can and is an Oshkabewis (helper) and Fire Keeper. He worked in the Urban Indigenous community in Toronto for over a decade prior to joining CVC. He is a member of The Thunderbird clan and his Spirit name is White Bear Standing.
So glad to hear about these important steps. I wonder how individuals and local groups can also connect with Indigenous communities furthering reconciliation.