Item - 2021.AA10.3

Tracking Status

This item was considered by Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee on April 16, 2021 and was adopted with amendments.
See also IE21.15a

AA10.3 - Toronto Ravine Strategy Update and Developing Economic Opportunities for Indigenous Businesses

Decision Type:: Presentation

Status:: Amended

Wards:: All

Committee Decision

The Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee recommends that:

1. The Executive Committee request the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, in consultation with the Director, Indigenous Affairs Office, and other appropriate City staff, to consult with the broader Indigenous community on the implementation of the Toronto Ravine Strategy.

Decision Advice and Other Information

The Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee:

1. Requested the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, in consultation with the Director, Indigenous Affairs Office, and other appropriate City staff, to incorporate the Committee's suggestions on wellness, our relatives, education, ecological, and economic opportunities into the implementation of the Toronto Ravine Strategy and long-lasting Indigenous place-making initiatives; this work must be grounded in the principles - protect, invest, connect, partner, celebrate - and incorporate Indigenous ways of knowing and being.

Wendy Strickland, Project Manager, Ravine Strategy, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and Jeff D'Hondt, Consultant, Indigenous Affairs Office, gave a presentation on Toronto Ravine Strategy Update and Developing Economic Opportunities for Indigenous Businesses.

Summary

Wendy Strickland, Project Manager, Ravine Strategy, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and Jeff D'Hondt, Consultant, Indigenous Affairs Office, will give a presentation on the implementation of the Toronto Ravine Strategy, including the exploration of the feasibility of developing economic opportunities for Indigenous businesses that contribute to the goals of the Toronto Ravine Strategy and Indigenous place-making in the City of Toronto's parklands.

Background Information

(April 16, 2021) Presentation from the Project Manager, Ravine Strategy, Parks, Forestry and Recreation and the Consultant, Indigenous Affairs Office on Toronto Ravine Strategy Update and Developing Economic Opportunities for Indigenous Businesses
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/aa/bgrd/backgroundfile-165677.pdf

Communications

(April 10, 2021) E-mail from Giulio Villani (AA.Supp)
(April 11, 2021) E-mail from Judy Fricker (AA.Supp)
(April 12, 2021) Letter from Edith George (AA.Supp)
(April 12, 2021) Letter from Sheila Boudreau, School of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Community Services, Ryerson University (AA.Supp)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/aa/comm/communicationfile-130484.pdf
(April 12, 2021) E-mail from Edith George (AA.Supp)
(April 13, 2021) Letter from Maria Maiolo (AA.New)
(April 13, 2021) Submission from Cleo Buster on behalf of Friends of Small's Creek (AA.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/aa/comm/communicationfile-130526.pdf
(April 13, 2021) Letter from Sandra Farina, Emery Village Business Improvement Area (AA.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/aa/comm/communicationfile-130543.pdf
(April 14, 2021) Letter from Alice Casselman, Association for Canadian Educational Resources (AA.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/aa/comm/communicationfile-130544.pdf

Speakers

Edith George
Sheila Boudreau, School of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Community Services, Ryerson University

Motions

Motion to Amend Item moved by Jeffrey Schiffer (Carried)

That:

1. The Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee request the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, in consultation with the Director, Indigenous Affairs Office, and other appropriate City staff, to incorporate the Committee's suggestions on wellness, our relatives, education, ecological, and economic opportunities into the implementation of the Toronto Ravine Strategy and long-lasting Indigenous place-making initiatives; this work must be grounded in the principles - protect, invest, connect, partner, celebrate - and incorporate Indigenous ways of knowing and being.

2. The Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee recommend that the Executive Committee request the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, in consultation with the Director, Indigenous Affairs Office, and other appropriate City staff, to consult with the broader Indigenous community on the implementation of the Toronto Ravine Strategy.