The City of Kitchener is working to ensure its parks better reflect the everyday experiences, art, culture, and contributions of past and present Indigenous communities. The Huron Natural Area (HNA) is one of the largest natural spaces in the city, with more than 250 acres of protected forest and wetland, as well as recreational trails, school programming and community amenities.

It is the City’s first location for the Indigenous Space Project Gathering Space. It is also the City’s first natural area to undergo a comprehensive stewardship plan with intentional integration of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous knowledge to create a holistic and inclusive management strategy for the Huron Natural Area through the Indigenous knowledge braiding approach.

This inherent approach and purpose of the stewardship plan presents innovative and transformative thinking towards reconciliation, integrated land stewardship, and inclusive and equitable open spaces. It challenges traditional reliance on solely western scientific perspectives and knowledge and exemplifies the evolved practices of understanding, stewardship and connection to the natural landscape.

What do you think? Please share your response to these questions. You can also react and respond to what others have said.

• What are the potential challenges of integrating Indigenous knowledge with western scientific methods in a land management plan?
• How might these two systems complement, or potentially conflict with, one another in day-to-day decision-making for the park?