Engaging Aboriginal Communities in Conservation and Management of Cultural Landscapes Experiences from Ontario Shabnam Inanloo Dailoo, Ph.D. Cultural Landscapes and Aboriginal Engagement Adviser Western Heritage Circle for Aboriginal Relations Conference Aboriginal Consultation and Accommodation Edmonton June 6, 2012
Overview Western Heritage Company Cultural Landscapes Thunder Bay Region Example Cultural Landscape Approach & Aboriginal Engagement
I N N O V A T I V E S O L U T I O N S T O A G E - O L D Q U E S T I O N S St. Albert, Grand Prairie & Calgary (AB). Saskatoon & Regina (SK). Winnipeg, Swan River (MB). Thunder Bay (ON) www.westernheritage.ca
cultural resource management (CRM) archaeological mitigations geomatics and near-surface geophysics GIS and modelling and... traditional land use studies and Aboriginal engagement
CULTURAL LANDSCAPES
Why Cultural Landscape Approach? associative values and spirituality elder supervision traditional places names relationship of trust indigenous knowledge and planning
Significance of Cultural Landscapes Cultural Landscapes are important to Aboriginal communities: cultural survival and renewal sustainability and community health economic development control over traditional territories
Cultural Landscapes cultural landscape as a conceptual bridge Culture Cultural Landscape Nature Tangible Cultural Landscape Intangible
What is Cultural Landscape? cultural landscape is fashioned from a natural landscape by a cultural group. Culture is the agent, the natural area is the medium.the cultural landscape is the result. Carl O. Sauer, 1925 any geographical area that has been modified, influenced, or given special cultural meaning by people Parks Canada, 2010
Cultural Landscape Categories defined landscapes organically evolved landscapes relict (fossil) landscapes continuing (living) landscapes associative cultural landscapes
Defined Landscapes Central Park - USA Shahzadeh Mahan - Iran Stourhead Garden - England Villa d'este - Italy Château de Versailles - France Parkwood Garden - Canada Eram Garden - Iran
Organically Evolved Landscapes relict (fossil) landscapes Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine - Japan Takht-e-Soleyman - Iran Lope-Okanda - Gabon
Organically Evolved Landscapes continuing (living) landscapes Downtown Calgary - Canada Rice Terraces - Philippines Agave Tequila Fields - Mexico Abyaneh Village - Iran Portoverene - Italy
Associative Cultural Landscapes Spanish Levant Uluru-Kata Tjuta - Australia Nine Miles - USA Tongariro - New Zealand
Aboriginal Cultural Landscapes expresses their unity with the natural and spiritual environment embodies their traditional knowledge of spirits, places, land uses, and ecology material remains of the association may be prominent, but will often be minimal or absent
Cultural Landscape Characteristics interrelationships values linkages layers scales types continuity evolving stakeholders traditions
Cultural Landscape Values historical natural social economic cultural symbolic associative research education
Current Concerns developments and constructions industry changes in land use
Conservation of Cultural Landscapes conserving cultural landscapes ----> building stronger communities opportunities identity traditions sense of place values
Conservation of Cultural Landscapes conserving heritage resources conserving cultural landscapes identifying values understanding where values lie managing values identifying values elements, layers, patterns relationships, processes, patterns and land use change structure and functions meanings understanding where values lie local community involvement contextual conservation managing values local community involvement training / capacity building
Conservation Challenges identification of values evaluation of values conservation strategies ownership and multiple stakeholders multiple jurisdiction sustaining traditional land-uses accommodating change
Cultural Landscapes and Aboriginal Way of Life links to the land traditional laws and knowledge continuity connectivity time Nature <------->! Interaction <-------> Culture --------------------------!!!!!! --------------------------! vegetation!!!!!! people/community! wildlife!!!!!!! traditions! water!!!!!!! myths! soil!!!!!!!! stories! air!!!!!!!! beliefs! landform!!!!!!! identity! topography!!!!!!! associations!!!!!!!!! meanings!!!!!!!!! symbols culture and nature interrelationship change
THUNDER BAY REGION NORTHERN ONTARIO
Cultural Places in the Area Thunder Bay Region MacKenzie Site
MacKenzie I Historic Site living documents with stories continuity of traditional land uses evidence of associations with the land
Cultural Landscape Approach and Archaeological Sites dispersed and discrete sites or network of connected places? relationship between cultural places role of the communities
First Nation Communities in the Area
Métis Communities in the Area
Aboriginal Communities in the Area Union of Ontario Indians Anishinabek Nation - Northern Superior Region Red Rock First Nation Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek (Rocky Bay) Fort William First Nation Pays Plat First Nation The Métis Nation of Ontario Thunder Bay Métis Council Superior North Shore Métis Council Greenstone Métis Council
Aboriginal Communities Involvement advisers elders and chiefs participants young community members monitors participants and advisers
Cultural Landscape Approach in Heritage Conservation recognizes cultural context involves local community acknowledges multiple values application in Aboriginal cultural places and archaeological practices
Cultural Landscape Approach Principles changing multilayered values and dialogues relationships and connections continuity
Any landscape is composed not only of what lies before our eyes but what lies within our heads (D. W. Meinig, 1976) and... what lies within our hearts. Thank you