Question Period Note: 100 Wellington Street - An Indigenous Peoples' Space

In June 2017, the Prime Minister announced that the former United States Embassy at 100 Wellington Street in Ottawa, on the traditional territory of the Algonquin Peoples, would be transformed into a national Indigenous Peoples’ Space.
The spirit and intention of the Indigenous Peoples’ Space has always been that it must remain First Nations, Inuit and Métis led.
This work is being under taken in the true spirit of reconciliation – all decisions around the space have been taken as a group between partners, and we look forward to continuing the work together on this historic project.

The Indigenous Peoples’ Space at 100 Wellington Street in Ottawa is intended as a place to educate and raise awareness of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples’ contributions to Canada’s past, present, and future. It is intended to be distinctions-based and reflect each of the three unique Indigenous groups in Canada – First Nations, Inuit and Métis – and the diversity within those groups. It will also provide a space for Indigenous governments to conduct intergovernmental relations and official business.

The short-term use of the Indigenous Peoples’ Space will be led by Indigenous partners, will provide an opportunity for Indigenous peoples to engage on the future design of the space, and allow Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples to experience the Space. The short-term use is anticipated to last until spring 2022, when the design and use of the building for the long-term will be finalized.

The Indigenous Peoples’ Space is in the Parliamentary Precinct area, which is on the traditional territory of the Algonquin peoples. As a local Algonquin group, the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council has been engaged on the development of the space into an Indigenous Peoples’ Space at the location. The Government continues to support its participation.

The Government of Canada and Indigenous partners will continue to work in full partnership on the next phase of this initiative to ensure the space becomes a world-class Indigenous Peoples’ Space in the longer-term.

If pressed on Current status

Together, we are working on the short-term use plan of the Indigenous Peoples’ Space while the longer-term design is completed.
As 100 Wellington is located on Algonquin traditional territory, the Government of Canada supports the participation of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council in the Indigenous Peoples’ Space initiative.
The Government is hopeful that an agreement will be reached among partners on respective roles and responsibilities, and on the short and long term visions of this initiative.