Envisioning the future of Gikinoo'amaagewin Wiigwaam: Urban land stewardship at M'Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre
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Authors
Shardlow, Erica
Date
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
Land stewardship , Indigenous , Environmental repossession , Community-based participatory research , Urban , Decolonization , Planetary health , Canada
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Abstract
Background: In response to the accelerating collapse of our global environment, heeding Indigenous leadership for planetary health and wellbeing is imperative. In Canadian cities, however, settler colonial legacies of racist urbanization have created barriers for Indigenous communities to assert their leadership for living in relationship with the Earth. Purpose: In partnership with M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre in Owen Sound, ON, this research explores how urban land stewardship can be a way for Indigenous-led organizations to reclaim rights to land, culture, and belonging within cities. Objectives: This thesis provides an opportunity for M’Wikwedong staff and board members to share their interpretations of land stewardship; identifies specific land-based practices and principles that could be incorporated into M’Wikwedong’s programs, services and infrastructure; and advances insights on how land stewardship at M’Wikwedong can operationalize environmental repossession in an urban context. Methods: Between March and April 2022, nine semi-structured interviews were conducted with staff and board members at M’Wikwedong. Qualitative thematic analysis was employed to code and interpret interview data. Findings: Four interrelated themes emerged. The first explores the shared meanings and interpretations of Indigenous land stewardship with an emphasis on the unique challenges and opportunities for stewarding land in urban settings. The second highlights the importance of fostering meaningful relationships with land, community and culture for Indigenous people living in cities. The third focuses on M’Wikwedong’s priority to create opportunities for Indigenous children and youth to explore relationships with land and culture in a supportive setting. The final theme explores visions for how M’Wikwedong’s programming and facility space can align with practices and principles of land stewardship. Implications: Practically, M’Wikwedong’s priorities for providing land-based cultural programs and activities for all generations of Indigenous people living in Owen Sound demonstrates their leadership capacity for teaching and learning. Theoretically, this research responds to the need to advance an anti-colonial discourse on Indigenous reclamation of space and place in urban areas, and points to the potential for urban land stewardship to advance environmental repossession by asserting urban Indigenous peoples’ right to benefit from land and cultural spaces in cities.
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ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.