Cultural collaboration with Indigenous communities

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City of Ottawa Honouring Statement

Ottawa is built on unceded Anishinabe Algonquin territory. The peoples of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation have lived on this territory for millennia. Their culture and presence have nurtured and continue to nurture this place. The City of Ottawa honours the people and the land of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation. The City of Ottawa honours all First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and their valuable past and present contributions to this land.

Honouring the land and the peoples of the Host Nation has been common practice for First Nations since time immemorial. An Honouring Statement provides time for self-reflection on one’s positionality and accountability towards the land, the Host Nation and all First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.

The City of Ottawa Honouring Statement is a living statement developed in collaboration with Anishinabe Algonquin Nation representatives, Elders, and community members. A renewal process is underway.

algonquin anishinabe commemorative art — Anishinabe Algonquin Nation plaque and commemorative artwork containing text of the Honouring Statement at Marion Dewar Plaza, Ottawa City Hall, June 2016 / Plaque et œuvre d’art commémorative de la Nation Anishinabe Algonquine sur la place Marion-Dewar, hôtel de ville d’Ottawa, juin 2016

Working in partnership

Development of the Renewed Action Plan for Arts, Heritage and Culture (2013-2018) marked the start of cultural collaboration between the City of Ottawa and Indigenous communities. The City’s Cultural Development and Initiatives Unit engaged the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation, the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation and urban First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and organizations in the process. The plan was unanimously approved by City Council in February 2012 and included the following actions: 

Honour and recognize Aboriginal (First Nations, Inuit and Métis) cultural identities.
Recognize the Anishinabe Algonquin First Nation as the Indigenous community in Ottawa by developing a civic protocol, alongside communication, and cultural partnership opportunities.

Since 2012, the Cultural Development and Initiatives Unit has worked to develop and sustain cultural partnerships with the Host Anishinabe Algonquin Nation, and with Urban First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and organizations in Ottawa. Activities and accomplishments reflect a strong commitment to truth and reconciliation.

For more information, contact Natalí Zúñiga, Indigenous and New Immigrant cultural developer.

Cultural collaboration with Anishinabe Algonquin Host Nation

Cultural awareness

An Anishinabe Algonquin Cultural Awareness Day was presented at the Odawa Native Friendship Centre in November 2012 in full collaboration with Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation and Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation.

Former Chief talking to guests — Anishinabe Algonquin Nation cultural awareness session at Odawa Native Friendship Centre, November 14, 2012

Since 2012, Host Nation participation in cultural conferences, summits, events and programs has increased Ottawa’s resident and visitor awareness.

Display at Heritage Day — Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg Pimadjiwowinogamig display at Heritage Day.

Meetings with the Mayor

An historic first meeting with Mayor Jim Watson and representatives of the Anishinabe Algonquin Host Nation took place in January 2013. Chiefs and Band Council members from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation and the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation participated. Priorities for the City of Ottawa - Host Nation collaboration were identified.

Mayor with Anishinabe Algonquin respresentaives — Historic Meeting with Mayor Jim Watson and Anishinabe Algonquin Nation representatives, January 2013

In September 2019 a meeting with Mayor Watson widened Host Nation representation to include the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council and the Algonquin Nation Programs and Services Secretariat.

Mayor and Anishinabe Algonquin Nation representatives — Meeting with Mayor Jim Watson and Anishinabe Algonquin Nation representatives, September 2019

Host Nation commemorative artwork

In June 2016, an original commemorative artwork honouring the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation was unveiled in Marion Dewar Plaza at Ottawa City Hall. The commemoration celebrates the Host Nation, its peoples and its land, affirming the presence of the Anishinabeg Algonquins on this territory for millennia.

The commemoration consists of a plaque attached to a large stone. The stone was selected and moved from Pikwakanagan to City Hall. The plaque artwork and design are by Anishinabe Algonquin artist Dean Ottawa of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg. 

Flags at City Hall

A ceremony to honour the raising of Anishinabe Algonquin Flags for the first time at Ottawa City Hall took place on June 21, 2013. This was arranged in collaboration with Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation and Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation. Five years later, on June 21, 2018, the permanent presence of Anishinabe Algonquin Nation flags at Ottawa City Hall was honoured in ceremony.

Anishinabe Algonquin Nation flags being raised to fly permanently at Marion Dewar Plaza, Ottawa City Hall, June 21, 2018

Rideau Canal Promenade interpretation

The City of Ottawa fostered and facilitated the participation of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation and the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation in the Rideau Canal Promenade interpretive initiative in partnership with the National Capital Commission, the Department of Canadian Heritage, Parks Canada, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. This ensured appropriate and accurate Anishinabe Algonquin representation at the Ottawa Locks outdoor exhibit and in the audio tour.

Learning visits

City of Ottawa staff visited Anishinabe Algonquin Nation communities and connected with Host Nation members and representatives for learning opportunities in 2014 and 2018. Host Nation cultural centres, Omamawinini Pimadjwowin at Pikwakanagan and Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg Pimadjiwowinogamig presented the learning experiences.

Visite de Pikwakanagan — Visite du personnel de la Ville d’Ottawa à la Première Nation des Algonquins de Pikwakanagan, juillet 2018

Civic cultural protocol and implementation plan

A Civic Cultural Protocol was one of the priorities identified at the historic first meeting between Mayor Jim Watson, Chief Gilbert Whiteduck of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation and Chief Kirby Whiteduck of Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation in January 2013. 

The protocol was developed by the City’s Cultural Development and Initiatives Unit in full collaboration with the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation, the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council, and the Algonquin Nation Programs and Services Secretariat.

Development of the protocol contributed greatly to strengthening the relationship between the City of Ottawa and the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation, nurturing and fostering opportunities for mutual learning and collaboration throughout the process.

The City of Ottawa - Anishinabe Algonquin Nation Civic Cultural Protocol and Implementation Plan (2022-2026) were unanimously approved by City Council in April 2022. The plan identifies objectives and actions in 19 areas of cultural work for implementation over five years.

Cultural collaboration with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and organizations

Inuit cultural awareness session

In September 2017, the City’s Cultural Development and Initiatives Unit developed and delivered an Inuit Cultural Awareness Session in full collaboration with the Inuuqatigiit Centre for Inuit Children Youth and Families, Nunavut Sivuniksavut and Tungasuvingat Inuit. This important learning opportunity took place at the Richelieu Vanier Community Centre.

a group of presenters — Inuit culture awareness session at Richelieu Vanier Community Centre, September 2017

Defining Ottawa Together - Culture in the Official Plan  

In October 2019, the City’s Cultural Development and Initiatives Unit facilitated a major public engagement session that gathered 120 residents at City Hall to support the development of Ottawa as an international cultural capital. Input and feedback on cultural policies for Ottawa’s new Official Plan were received.

Anishinabe Algonquin Nation Elder Albert Dumont, opened the session with a welcome from the Anishinabe Algonquin Host Nation. The engagement and participation of Host Nation and Urban First Nations, Inuit and Metis representatives in the session provided authentic and meaningful input.

Anishinabe Algonquin Nation Elder Albert Dumont speaking at City of Ottawa Council Chambers, October 2019