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 OutputsHow can an Indigenous women-led land trust support land back and housing equity in Toronto?
This project situates community land trusts within broader land back and rematriation efforts, with an emphasis on long-term Indigenous stewardship and self-determination, responding directly to housing inequities experienced by Indigenous women, children, and 2-Spirit communities.
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
Background
This project addresses how an Indigenous women-led land trust can be developed in Toronto as part of broader land back initiatives. It aims to identify culturally appropriate pathways for land rematriation, governance, and long-term stewardship, while supporting the development of actionable steps such as bylaws, incorporation, and funding structures, and connecting with existing land trusts in Toronto for knowledge and resource sharing.
Methodology
First, the project draws lessons from existing Indigenous-led land trusts, such as Sogorea Te’ Land Trust and Mno Aki, to understand how these groups established their governance, policies, and practices for land stewardship. Second, the community researcher organizes a series of two to three 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 a land trust centred on sovereignty and self-determination. The circles are accompanied by a survey circulated with Indigenous organizations and grassroots groups, along with street outreach.
Results
Findings from this project are currently in development. Results will be published upon completion of the research.
Research Outputs
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