CANCELLED—Waterfront Reconciliation? The 7,000-yr-old Cradle of the National Capital Region
The riverfront along rue Jacques-Cartier, Gatineau.
We are sorry to cancel this walk on short notice. The area of this walk is inaccessible due to flooding.
If you would like to help with flood response, you can find out more at the following websites:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-river-flooding-how-to-help-1.4102633
http://www.gatineau.ca/portail/default.aspx?p=la_ville/salle_medias/communiques/communique_2015&id=1494074469 http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/heres-how-to-volunteer-help-with-flooding-in-ottawa-and-gatineau
Photo: the riverfront along rue Jacques-Cartier.
Walk through 7,000 years of history and learn how Reconciliation with our Indigenous peoples can be applied to waterfront development. This most beautiful walk explores the successes and challenges Urban Indigenous people continue to face to influence urban planning. If you haven't visited this destination spot for sightseers, this is your opportunity to discover a local gem.
Rue Jacques-Cartier is the oldest community in our National Capital Region and continues to be a neighbourhood in transition. We will stroll along the sparkling shores of the Gatineau and Ottawa Rivers in Pointe-Gatineau. (Bring your camera for spectacular vistas!)
The walk should appeal to those interested in urban planning, Urban Indigenous culture, local history, sightseeing, and photography. We will contemplate this community from three perspectives: the past, as an early settlement for Indigenous peoples, fur traders, log drivers, and fishers many of whose descendants remain; the present, as a neighbourhood resisting government attempts to erase our heritage and lifestyle; and the future, as an area zoned for extensive high rise redevelopment.
Despite the creation of a spectacular new shoreline linear park along rue Jacques Cartier, this $43M project is a prime example how not to redevelop urban waterfronts. It is a case study that applies to many communities across North America. Lessons learned should be taught in urban planning schools, so such failings are not repeated.
We will meet at Abinan Park, the site of an occupation by Indigenous people in the summer of 2014 that was supported by many local residents. The park is our ground zero for why cities should better involve residents in the planning of waterfront development.
This stroll will complement the previous day's walk on the Chaudière which also discusses the Urban Aboriginal perspective on civic planning concerns.
Photographers will be particularly rewarded with river views of classic tug boats, the raging Rideau Falls, Parliament, local matchstick style house architecture, Ambassadors' row of stately houses atop Rockcliffe, the Ottawa New Edinburgh Club, and sparkling heritage recreational waters around Kettle Island where locals fended off the Kettle Island Bridge proposal.) Afterwards, people may choose to stop at one of the waterfront restaurants, as a group or separately.
