Our team is currently involved in a system transformation project in collaboration and support of the Aseniwuche Winewak Nation (AWN) located near Grande Cache, Alberta. This Indigenous community, having never been a signatory to a treaty agreement in Canada, currently exists without status as a recognized Indigenous nation. The historical ramifications of this have been immense. The community has been forced to navigate uncertain territory as it relates to their relationship with Canada and their rights and privileges within. Moreover, internal to the community, they have operated in the absence of a prescribed identity which has had historical benefits but also drawbacks in terms of community unity, cohesion, and social well-being,

Urban Matters is showing up in this project as a trusted third-party to help navigate the complex terrain of establishing a community citizenship code that would:

• Provide a formal expression of AWN’s cultural and communal identity to serve externally as a tool for working with Canada in future negotiations
• Set a foundation for community identity and belonging and unify AWN as one as they continue to progress and evolve into the future

This is complex dynamic work that requires Urban Matters to use its skills in cultivating systemic understanding, community visioning and buy-in, and future-oriented planning to help AWN get to its desired place. This work at its highest level is a hallmark example of Urban Matters efforts to show up in support of desired system change endeavours for the communities and partners it serves.