Summary
Led by First Nations in British Columbia, the Comprehensive Community Planning movement builds on centuries of Indigenous community planning knowledge.
Honouring Our ways: A Journey Through Community-Led Planning was developed by Indigenous planning mentors in BC and designed by the Naut'sa mawt Tribal Council. The guide is deeply rooted in Indigenous knowledge systems and cultural traditions. It offers a reimagined approach to comprehensive community planning that centres Indigenous worldviews, values, and practices. Its primary aim is to support First Nations in developing and sustaining self-determined, culturally grounded planning processes that honour ancestral wisdom and foster strong, resilient futures.
Policy & Practice Implication
- The guide emphasizes community engagement as a foundational part of the planning journey, encouraging inclusive and trust-based approaches such as home visits, on-the-land gatherings, youth outreach, and speaking circles.
- The guide presents a four-phase model that mirrors natural cycles and offers a flexible, culturally grounded approach to community-led planning. The phases are Our Stories (pre-planning), Getting Together (planning), Taking Action (implementing), and Celebrating Change (monitoring and evaluation).
- Community leaders can use the guide to enhance governance and cultural revitalization through planning rooted in Indigenous traditions, languages, and values. This approach supports long-term resilience and self-determination.
- By using the water’s journey as a guiding metaphor, the guide shows the interconnectedness of traditional laws, spirituality, and community knowledge, while highlighting the importance of weaving cultural teachings throughout the planning process.
Image source: http://www.comprehensivecommunityplanning.org/uploads/8/2/0/5/8205408/how_visual_guide.pdf
