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Indigenous engineering - building a better future: Want to know more?

Do you want to know more?

This page provides a collection of resources for: Treaties and Rights, Climate Change, Land Stewardship, and Water Stewardship, and how they related to Indigenous people. As an engineer you need to consider the viewpoints and values of all stakeholders and involve them in your decision making when undertaking projects that affect the land or water. Please note, this page is a jumping off point for your research and you may need to dig deeper and approach community members to ensure best practices are followed.

If you are looking for even more Indigenous resources, including services and supports across campus, mindful research practices, and suggestions for further reading, take a look at the Library's Indigenous Research Guide. 

Treaties and rights

The Assembly of First Nations is an advocacy organization, which seeks to advance First Nations Inherent and Treaty Rights. This section focuses on First Nations' rights to lands, territories, and resources.

Haldimand Proclamation of 1784—Six Nations Lands and Resources—describes the 1784 Haldimand Treaty, which granted the peoples of the Six Nations the Haldimand Tract. The area includes 6 miles on both side of the Grand River—the land on which the University of Waterloo is situated

Digital documents provided by Canadiana, CRKN (Canadian Research Knowledge Network), which describes treaties and surrenders involving Indigenous peoples in Canada. The first three links are for treaties and surrenders that occurred between 1680 and 1890.

The treaties of Canada with the Indians of Manitoba and the North-West Territories, including the negotiations on which they were based, and other information: https://www.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.30387/3

Canadian Law governing the rights and freedoms of Indigenous people in Canada: The Indian Act.

Land stewardship

Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership: an Indigenous-led network bringing together partners to advanced Indigenous-led conservation and to transform the conservation sector in Canada.

IPCA Knowledge Basket: a digital space to honour Indigenous-led conservation pathways in Canada by providing stories, videos, songs, governments reports and policies, academic articles, resources and artwork. An account is required to use.

Land Needs Guardians: manage protected areas, restore animals and plants, test water quality and monitor development projects by combining Indigenous and western science.

Native Land Digital: a digital, interactive map for Indigenous lands.

Issues of climate change

Assembly of First Nations: is an advocacy organization, which seeks to advance First Nations Inherent and Treaty Rights. This section focuses on First Nations' ability to protect Mother Earth and support sustainable economic development.

Chiefs of Ontario: support all First Nations in Ontario and includes an Environment Sector, which provides guidance on water, natural resources, energy, natural resources, energy, and more.

Environment and Climate Change Canada: a series called Indigenous Voices made up of short videos describing Indigenous views on environmental stewardship.

Indigenous Climate Action: Indigenous-led group of Indigenous knowledge keepers, water protectors and land defenders from regions across Canada. Indigenous peoples' rights and knowledge are critical to developing solutions to climate crisis and achieving climate justice.

Indigenous Climate Hub: an Indigenous-led project to create an online platform for peoples, communities and organizations to connect and share resources on climate change:

Indigenous-led Natural Climate Solutions: climate initiatives funded by the Government of Canada to support Indigenous Nations, communities and organizations to engage as leaders in natural climate solutions.

Water stewardship

DOIG River First Nation (BC): focused on water security initiatives to understand the connections between climate, the land, and water.

The Healthy Headwaters Lab (U Windsor): aims to restore freshwater ecosystems to full health and vitality. The Healthy Headwaters Lab includes diverse researchers, and works towards beneficial outcomes and work towards reconciliation with Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island and beyond.

Northern Voices, Northern Waters: NWT Water Stewardship Strategy: a strategy developed by the Government of the Northwest Territories and Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada:

True North Aid: (non-Indigenous run) serves northern and remote Indigenous communities in Canada.

  • Water First: focused on water challenges in Indigenous communities including: safe drinking water and environmental technical training for managing water resources.

Water Allies: at New College within the University of Toronto provides a hub for water issues around the Toronto and the Great Lake communities. Water Allies is guided by Guswenta (Two Row Wampum) and inspired by the Dish with One Spoon Treaty.