Robert MacDonald

This session will highlight some of the successful actions taken by the project team to involve Indigenous Communities in the support of building understanding and social license for the project. The case study examined would be the Alexandra Bridge Replacement Project in Ottawa/Gatineau. The panelists will discuss how Indigenous Communities were directly involved in key areas of project planning through participation in Field Studies, Community led Studies, and Interactive Community Engagements.

This inclusive approach contributed to the overall project design, identification and protection of key ecological and heritage features, and economic participation in the project. The common theme of Indigenous contributions will be woven into each area of discussion as a key component. Features of the work include use of the Guardians program in ecological studies, participation of the Anishinabe Odjibikan Indigenous Field School in archaeological investigations, as well as studies performed by Indigenous communities such as Traditional Knowledge Studies, Alternative Means Assessment, and Socio-Economic Studies. These efforts contributed Indigenous knowledge and perspectives to the project; and significantly to influence the Project Design. The panelists will discuss how the Indigenous Cultural Heritage Landscape could contribute to further development of an Interpretation and Commemoration Plan.

Session Facilitator: Faiza Waheed