Session Description
Major infrastructure projects often engage Indigenous Peoples only after routes, station locations, procurement strategies, environmental assessments and engineering decisions have largely been determined. At that stage, opportunities for Indigenous Nations to influence project outcomes are significantly reduced.
This session introduces an Indigenous Participatory Design Framework developed during the formative stages of Canada's Alto High-Speed Rail project to support relationships and impact assessment. Applicable internationally, this session explores how Indigenous rights, knowledge systems, governance, cultural values and participatory design can be embedded in processes before key decisions become fixed.
Drawing upon recent research in impact assessment, Indigenous governance and infrastructure planning, together with practical experience from Alto, the presentation demonstrates how early relationship-building strengthens trust, improves project design, identifies environmental and cultural risks, supports long-term partnerships and contributes to a culture of inclusion.
Participants will examine practical approaches for moving beyond consultation toward collaborative design and shared decision-making. Topics include Nation-to-Nation relationships, Indigenous governance structures, participatory design, Indigenous Knowledge protocols, procurement, architecture, public art, ecological restoration and long-term stewardship.
The session concludes with a transferable Indigenous Participatory Design Framework that practitioners can adapt for transportation, renewable energy, mining, hydroelectric, urban development and other major infrastructure projects worldwide.
Session Summary
The panel will discuss and engage the audience on practical approaches for moving beyond Indigenous consultation towards collaborative design and shared decision-making. The session concludes with a transferable Indigenous Participatory Design Framework that practitioners can adapt for major projects worldwide.
Session Chair
Danielle Belanger
Alto
Canada
Session Co-chair
Simon Brascoupe
Canada