Indigenous engagement and reconciliation: The Long Term Vision and Plan for the Parliamentary Precinct—Annual Report 2022 to 2023

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• Indigenous engagement
• Indigenous Peoples’ Space
• Residential Schools National Monument
• Indigenous procurement

Indigenous engagement

Restoring the buildings and lands in the Parliamentary Precinct is collective work. To help ensure the Parliamentary Precinct is respectful of traditions, a culturally safe space, and representative, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) is engaging with Indigenous Peoples. To that end, PSPC is holding visioning sessions to amplify Indigenous voices and bring their perspectives to the rehabilitation of Parliament’s Centre Block and the design of the new Parliament Welcome Centre. In November 2022, PSPC held a visioning session with representatives identified by the Métis National Council (MNC). Previously, in May 2021 we held a session with the Anishinaabeg Algonquin Nation (AANTC). Additionally, to ensure an inclusive engagement approach, discussions around holding a spring visioning session with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) also took place, as well as the possibility for future engagement with the Assembly of First Nations (AFN). 

Common themes from the sessions were the importance of storytelling and teachings, language, people, honouring the land, plants and animals. Unique points were:

• Honour the Anishinaabeg Algonquin Nation as caretakers and representatives of the territory
• Honour the Métis Nation connection to the story of the Bison—something that was taken away from the land and is being reintroduced

PSPC will continue to use visioning sessions to receive ideas for First Nation, Inuit and Métis themes, and design concepts inspired by Indigenous culture, to influence the design, architecture and materials for the modernized and integrated Parliamentary Precinct, including the Centre Block and Parliament Welcome Centre.

PSPC’s Dominion Sculptor team has also created a more inclusive decorative arts program. The program involves a unified fellowship of Indigenous and non-Indigenous artisans sharing art forms, means and methods through collaboration in the spirit of Reconciliation. Through extensive outreach—in partnership with Indigenous organizations across Canada, the Aboriginal Apprenticeship Board of Ontario and the Anishinaabeg Algonquin Tribal Council—the Dominion Sculptor team has hired two full-time Indigenous sculptors.

Indigenous Peoples’ Space

Public Services Procurement Canada (PSPC) is continuing to work with Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNA), and the national representative organizations (Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the Métis National Council) to develop a national space for Indigenous Peoples, and a dedicated Anishinaabeg Algonquin Space, in the heart of the Parliamentary Precinct. Constructive conversations continued throughout the past year.

In collaboration with the national representative organizations, 100 Wellington Street was converted into a temporary space for exhibitions, meetings and press activities. Control and use of 100 Wellington Street has been provided to the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, and the Métis National Council until the space is closed for the Block 2 Redevelopment. Access was also provided to the Anishinabeg Algonquin Nation Tribal Council for use of the adjacent 119 Sparks Street.

PSPC is looking forward to supporting CIRNA and Indigenous partners in their work to plan, design and redevelop these spaces.

Residential Schools National Monument

In response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Call to Action 81, the Government of Canada committed $20 million to create a publicly accessible and highly visible monument to Residential School Survivors in Ottawa.​​ The Department of Canadian Heritage is leading the project, along with a Survivor-led Steering Committee. ​In March 2023, the Steering Committee, in consultation with Anishinaabeg Algonquin Survivors and Elders, achieved consensus on a site in the Parliamentary Precinct, located on the ancestral lands of the Anishinabeg Algonquin Nation on the west side of Parliament Hill. Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) and its Parliamentary Partners will continue to provide support to Canadian Heritage and the Survivor-led Steering Committee as the planning, design and construction work moves forward.

Indigenous procurement

Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) continues to leverage Indigenous Participation Plans (IPPs), with approximately 20 sub-contracts totaling over $5.5 million awarded to Indigenous companies for the Centre Block rehabilitation project. The construction manager, PCL/ED, has hired an Indigenous Relations Manager to increase Indigenous participation and to keep Indigenous communities and businesses up to date on employment and skills development opportunities. 

The winning design team for the Block 2 redevelopment includes Two Row Architects, an Indigenous-firm, owned and operated from the Six Nations reserve in southern Ontario.