Building the Foundations of an Indigenous Women-Led Land Trust in Toronto
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This project aims to establish the foundations for an Indigenous-led land trust to address the impact of the housing crisis on Indigenous women, children, and 2-Spirit communities in the land currently known as Toronto.
Jump to Research OutputsCommunity land trusts as a land back initiative
This project aims to establish the foundations for an Indigenous-led land trust to address the impact of the housing crisis on Indigenous women, children, and 2-Spirit communities in the land currently known as Toronto.
Project Lead(s):
Home Organization:
University of Toronto
Other Participants:
Funding Stream:
Community-Focused Project
Funding window:
Sep 1, 2022
Community Partner:
Thunder Woman Healing Lodge Society, Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre,
Association for NativeDevelopment in the Performing and Visual Arts (ANDPAVA),
Native Inter-Tribal Housing Co-operative,
Co-operative housing Federation Of Canada,
Parkdale Neighbourhood Land Trust, Parkdale People’s Economy, Matriarchal Circle,
Keepers of the Circle
Methodology
The project will begin by drawing lessons from existing Indigenous-led land trusts such as Segorea Te Land Trust and Mno Aki to understand how these groups established their governance, policies, and practices for land stewardship. The community researcher will then organize a series of 2-3 storytelling circles with Indigenous mothers, lifegivers, elders, and 2-Spirit community members to understand community needs for affordable rental and/or home ownership models and visions for an Indigenous women-led land trust that centers sovereignty and self-determination. The circles will be accompanied by a survey circulated with Indigenous organizations and grassroots groups to share with their membership along with street outreach.
Anticipated results
The project will create a final report for partners and participants with actionable next steps aimed at building the foundations for an Indigenous-led land trust, such as creating bylaws, incorporation, and funding; connecting with existing land trusts in Toronto for knowledge and resource sharing; identifying culturally-appropriate mechanisms to rematriate the land to Indigenous groups through land donations and transfers; and setting up a governance structure to ensure that lands stay under Indigenous stewardship in perpetuity.
Research Outputs
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