Image: A bouquet of background maps - great place to gather information for your planning process!
Gathering existing background information into one place is a great way to start any planning process. For example, if your Indigenous nation is beginning the land use planning process, information such as maps, by-laws, land laws, policies, infrastructure inventories and demographic data helps paint a picture of your community’s history, prevents the need for additional information gathering later on, and helps make sure your land use plan is consistent with other existing plans. Existing economic development or housing plans, for example, will both feed into and harmonize with the land use planning process. Check out our handy "cheat sheet" on some different types of plans here:
We’ve listed several sources of information below that your community may already have. This is certainly not a list of information that you must have. However, if you do, and you gather it into one place at the outset, it will save you time and resources down the road. Don’t be daunted: you can still begin the land use planning process even if you don’t have any of these plans, maps, or research on hand.
Gather general information about your community and its members. For instance, the documents listed below could have information about your community’s identity, how decisions are made, current planning and decision-making frameworks or processes, who lives there, and where. Not everyone will have completed all of these – even a few of these docements will likely contain information gems worth gathering.
Governance, Demographics and Communication:
Community infrastructure:
Consider what areas on your lands are important to protect for the next seven generations, and what information already exists that will guide you.
Where to look for existing information:
Physical and living environment:
Gather information that could help you better understand where the community wants to direct new development, and the type of development that would be appropriate.
Community infrastructure maps:
These community resources could be found in multiple forms such as reports, maps, digital mapping files, archival material and videos.
Don't forget to ask elders and others who hold information that will be a valuable contribution to the planning process. Happy hunting!
This is the second post in a series that explores ways Indigenous communities have used the planning process to create an exciting vision for their future and a realistic roadmap to get there – and some resources and ideas for you to do the same. We hope you join us for the rest of the ride. And please get in touch if there’s a topic you’d like us to explore.
Read more posts in this series:
Five Crucial Elements Every Land Use Plan Needs
Three Questions to a Clear Vision
Indigenous Planning Cheat Sheet: Five Types, Tips and Resources
If you are trying to figure out how to get started, do give us a shout. We’d be happy to discuss your options and help you weigh the pros and cons. We’re a team of self-proclaimed planning geeks who love to talk about this stuff, so don’t hesitate to get in touch.
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We are a Canadian B Corp, and we assist Indigenous communities with support throughout regulatory processes surrounding major development projects like mines, hydroelectric facilities, transmission lines, highway expansions, oil and gas pipelines, natural resource transport applications and nuclear power.
We have deep context and experience behind the recommendations we provide, having worked for our clients on almost every major project in Canada over the last 10 years. For us, it’s all about building long-term relationships with our clients. We want to get to know you and what you want to do so we can help you move your plans forward.
Strategic Regulatory and Environmental Assessment Process Support