Indigenous identity and the urban environment : architecture for uncovering and restoring indigenous cultures in the City of Toronto

Abstract

Colonization has traumatized Indigenous peoples across Canada and the world for centuries. Due to failure to recognize rights and traditional ways of life, many Indigenous people are forced to relocate to urban areas in search of social and economic opportunities in hopes of a better future. However, the urban built environment currently does not support these urban Indigenous peoples where their identity is both physically and conceptually concealed behind colonial facades. Thus, even in an attempt to provide culturally specific space, the city is still guilty of inflicting trauma. This is especially true in the city of Toronto where, despite having the largest Indigenous population in Ontario, cultural identity is virtually non-existent. As such, the question being investigated is, how can Indigenous presence in the city of Toronto be strengthened through restorative architecture that enhances cultural identity, not hinder it? This thesis will explore the ways in which agency can be returned to Canadian Indigenous peoples through the creation of a Living Learning Centre; a hybrid program that supports the practice of Indigenous culture in the city while fostering the education of non-Indigenous people in order to strengthen inter-cultural relationships. In doing so, the objective is to generate greater discussion about issues faced by Indigenous people, serving as a catalyst for change on a larger scale.