Indigenization or indigenize are terms used to describe incorporating indigenous peoples, values, and ideas into institutions. It’s not acknowledged enough, but I believe that indigenization is happening fastest in cities. You can see it reflected throughout Metro Vancouver by the many Cowichan sweaters being worn by many people. You can hear it at the opening of events when we acknowledge we are on the unceded traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations. And you can feel it at gatherings like the 2013 Walk for Reconciliation, where 70,000 people came together to support reconciliation between Canadians and First Nations.

The definition of indigenization is now expanding to include the ways we are changing the communities where we live. There are tens of thousands of indigenous people living in cities where they work, pursue education, raise families, and benefit from urban living. They become part of the growth and evolution of cities and create a landscape not seen anywhere else. This economy of scale heightens the growing sense of empowerment and cultural revival, and it’s reflecting back in our politics, arts and businesses.

Vancouver’s indigenization also features an impressive roster of indigenous representation at all political levels of democracy, from Melanie Mark, who is Nisga’a, Gitxsan, Cree and Ojibway and is the NDP candidate for the upcoming Vancouver-Mount Pleasant provincial byelection, to newly elected federal Liberal MP and Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, who is Kwakwaka’wakw and won the Vancouver Granville riding. Their involvement is the highest example of Indigenization in a changing political landscape.

Other significant developments include the Native Youth Centre in east Vancouver, a plan by the Urban Native Youth Association to build a large facility for indigenous young Vancouverites to connect on a cultural and community basis, and engage in sports, arts, and cultural events. The city is experiencing a growing population of indigenous young people and the dream is to have a place for them to finally feel connected, empowered and proud.

The Vancouver region is home to the most diverse indigenous population in the country, bringing in a richness of cultures and the desire by indigenous people to use this rich culture to strengthen their sense of place in the city. Many share their living cultural traditions with the public in a variety of events including the Talking Stick Festival, the Coastal First Nations Dance Festival, and the Nisga’a Hoobiyee celebrations. To attend one of these events is to witness what a connection to history, the land and heritage is all about.

While this energizing, expanding, vibrant urban community deserves celebration, there are still issues of poverty and discrimination that prevent many indigenous people from fully participating in all that Metro Vancouver has to offer.

These issues are complicated. Much of the history behind them was collected by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and focused on stories told by residential school survivors, many whom spoke for the first time about what they endured while attending the government mandated schools. The effects of their experiences are still felt today. The work of moving forward is outlined in the Commission’s Calls to Action report, including 94 recommendations which are necessary for healing and reconciliation to be achieved.

The City of Vancouver, among other groups, is looking at ways that the Calls to Action can be implemented as we recognize that these issues must no longer be ignored. We need to strengthen culture, family, education and health — things that were targeted and attacked in the residential schools. Ensuring that indigenous Vancouverites are included in this process of city-building is key to effective reconciliation, and to generating inspiration and hope.