Decolonizing the City: The Future of Indigenous Planning in Vancouver

On September 25, 2019, SFU's Vancity Office of Community Engagement, the PIBC South Coast Chapter and the Vancouver City Planning Commission hosted a panel that explored the work of Indigenous planners in Vancouver. The discussion looked at what it takes to strengthen relations and create new practices and policies with Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, and with urban Indigenous communities, from a City of Vancouver context. Panelists will reflect on what reconciliation means for city planning, how Indigenous Planning in Vancouver has changed over time, and what Indigenous rights means for urban planning today.
The panel was moderated by Ginger Gosnell-Myers, Decolonization Strategist, Urban Planner, and Researcher. Our panel consisted of:
· Cha'an Dtut (Rena Soutar), Reconciliation Planner, Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation
· Kamala Todd, Indigenous Arts and Culture Planner, City of Vancouver
· Spencer Lindsay, Indigenous Social Planner, City of Vancouver
Khelsilem (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh-Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw), Spokesperson and elected councillor, Squamish Nation Council, who was our rapporteur.