Urban Indigenous Strategy Implementation Plan

1. Develop guidance and policy tools for senior leaders and staff about the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
2. Raise awareness and strengthen the role of the Hamilton Aboriginal Advisory Committee.
3. Improve meaningful consultation with urban Indigenous residents and First Nations communities on municipal projects, plans and approvals.
4. Include and listen to Indigenous Elders on key initiatives and partnerships between the City of Hamilton and the Indigenous community.
5. Show respect for traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) by including Indigenous voices in environmental leadership and incorporating TEK in municipal practises.
6. Work with the Indigenous community to establish and maintain a piece of land that the community can use for ceremonial, spiritual and other activities.
7. Work with Indigenous communities to provide education to staff and residents about acknowledging traditional territories in Hamilton.
8. Understand how concepts such as the Doctrine of Discovery affect municipal decision making and develop tools to reform those processes.
9. Create more opportunities to access traditional foods.
10. Increase outreach to Indigenous residents to access conservation areas.

1. Incorporate more Indigenous stories and voices into the City of Hamilton’s culture and heritage plans.
2. Use markers and signs to restore Indigenous names and identify significant Indigenous landmarks in Hamilton. This could include street names, trails, and parks.
3. Create opportunities for public art by Indigenous artists.
4. Establish an Indigenous Cultural Centre that offers interpretive programming, provides a gathering space for Indigenous peoples to practice their ceremonies and hold cultural events.
5. Update the City’s grant programs to provide small grants to residents and community groups who are making a difference in reconciliation.
6. Raise local Indigenous flags permanently at City Hall.
7. Bring together Indigenous artists with youth to create a mural or other forms of street art.
8. Ensure that Indigenous stories and local Indigenous history are included in official archives across Hamilton.
9. Continue to improve how the City works with First Nations when conducting archaeology. This will include identifying how to educate the public on the rich archaeological history in Hamilton.
10. Expand the promotion and celebration of Indigenous History Month at City Hall and across Hamilton.
11. Identify or create ways to support Indigenous artists.
12. Commission public art in a prominent location that honours mutual respect and the spirit of reconciliation.

1. Bring together partners to offer public education to all residents about the history of Indigenous peoples and current topics that will contribute to reconciliation. This public education program should include highlighting local Indigenous resources and museums and promote awareness of national holidays such as National Indigenous Peoples Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
2. Enable City staff to deliver City services in a culturally-appropriate way.
3. Launch a program for Indigenous youth to gain employment and training experience at the City.
4. Identify and eliminate municipal barriers that prevent Indigenous peoples from carrying out ceremonial practises in public spaces.
5. Support the expansion of Indigenous early childhood education.
6. Increase access to recreation for Indigenous children, youth and families.
7. Provide education to all city staff about Indigenous peoples, Indigenous-settler history, treaties, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples. This education should also cover the urban Indigenous community in Hamilton and the history of traditional territory in the Hamilton area.
8. Ensure Public Health programs respect Indigenous medicines and healing practices.
9. Increase the number Indigenous health-care professionals in Hamilton.
10. Support Indigenous peoples to have more access to Elders and spiritual teachings.
11. Create opportunities for young Indigenous athletes to develop their skills.
12. Increase opportunities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents to play Indigenous sports and recreation activities.
13. Work with local Indigenous communities to host major sports events for Indigenous athletes.
14. Increase the number of Indigenous employees at the City and support networking and mentorship opportunities for Indigenous staff.
15. Use the City’s Age-Friendly Plan to support Indigenous seniors with accessing health and community services.
16. Identify how to increase accessible and affordable housing for Indigenous peoples through the Housing and Homelessness Action Plan.
17. Require social housing providers and boards to be educated on Indigenous peoples and history, colonialism, treaties, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples. This education should also include information on the Indigenous community in Hamilton.
18. Provide opportunities for Indigenous peoples to understand their rights as tenants.

Deliverables

• Develop guidance and tools for senior leaders and staff about the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
• Work with the Aboriginal Advisory Committee and Coordinating Circle to strengthen and streamline the role they play in informing the implementation of the Urban Indigenous Strategy
• Include and listen to Indigenous Elders on key initiatives and partnerships between the City of Hamilton and Indigenous Community
• Work with Indigenous communities to provide education to staff and residents about acknowledging traditional territories in Hamilton
• Understand how concepts such as the Doctrine of Discovery affect municipal decision making and develop tools to reform those processes
• Bring together partners to offer public education to all residents about the history of Indigenous peoples and current topics that will contribute to reconciliation. This public education program should include highlighting local Indigenous resources and museums and promote awareness of national holidays such as National Indigenous Peoples Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
• Enable City staff to deliver City services in a culturally-appropriate way
• Identify and eliminate municipal barriers that prevent Indigenous peoples from carrying out ceremonial practices in public spaces
• Provide education to all City staff about Indigenous people, Indigenous-settler history, treaties, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This education should also cover the urban Indigenous community in Hamilton and the history of the traditional territory.
• Ensure public health programs respect Indigenous medicines and healing practices

Deliverables

• Improve meaningful consultation with the urban Indigenous residents and the Indigenous communities on municipal projects, plans and approvals.
• Show respect for traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) by including Indigenous voices in environmental leadership and incorporating TEK in municipal practises.
• Increase outreach to Indigenous residents to access conservation areas.
• Use markers and signs to restore Indigenous names and identify significant Indigenous landmarks in Hamilton. This could include street names, trails and parks.
• Continue to improve how the City works with First Nations when conducting archaeology. This will include identifying how to educate the public on the rich archaeology history in Hamilton.

Deliverables

• Incorporate more Indigenous stories and voices into the City of Hamilton’s culture and heritage plans
• Use markers and signs to restore Indigenous names and identify significant Indigenous landmarks in Hamilton. This could include street names, trails, and parks
• Examine existing monuments and memorials in public spaces, such as the Sir John A. MacDonald monument in Gore Park, in order to create a collective and inclusive space for all
• Bring together Indigenous artists with youth to create a mural or other forms of street art
• Ensure that Indigenous stories and local Indigenous history are included in official archives across Hamilton
• Expand the promotion and celebration of Indigenous History Month at City Hall and across Hamilton
• Identify or create ways to support Indigenous artists
• Commission public art in a prominent location that honours mutual respect and the spirit of reconciliation