Land Trust
Keepers of the Circle is spearheading the creation of the Temiskaming District Community Land Trust (TDCLT), an initiative that is designed to address the urgent housing insecurity faced by Indigenous women and Two Spirit peoples. We use a Two-Eyed Seeing approach establishing policies, committees, Boards, and bylaws. This involves centering the work in Indigenous ways of knowing while respecting Western frameworks. A Council of Grandmothers is being created, and Elders from the Wisdom Keepers Council along with Youth from the Passing the Feather Youth Council will guide the TDCLT Board and all operations. This will enable them to provide knowledge and guidance, and to ensure processes use Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing.
What is a Community Land Trust?
A Community Land Trust (CLT) is when a non-profit group buys or owns land for the benefit of the community in which it exists. A key feature that allows CLTs to maintain affordability is dual-ownership, the separation of land ownership (owned by the CLT) from ownership of the housing or buildings on the land itself, which is leased out to individuals or non-profit organizations over a long-term period. The trust keeps the land forever, allowing people to buy or rent homes that are not regulated by the regular housing market since it is not tied to the land, which keeps housing affordable.
CLTs are designed to be membership-based organizations that are legally governed by an elected board of directors, often made up of lease holders and renters, community members, public servants, and non-profit organizations. CLTs aim for flexible development and can take on a variety of activities, including supporting agriculture, residential housing, co-op housing, as well as home ownership.
Indigenous Land Trusts are vital tools that support Indigenous communities in reclaiming, owning, and stewarding traditional territories. These trusts are crucial for cultural revitalization, environmental protection, and self-determination. They embody the principles of the Land Back movement, which seeks justice and reconciliation through land return.
Contact Information:
For more information or to request for support, please contact:
Lisa Neil
Project Lead and Housing Researcher
(855) 647-7874
Our Goal:
We are creating a roadmap for establishing a land trust governed by and for Indigenous women and Two Spirit Peoples. We have been focused on setting up a governance model that allows for land to be held in community through a land trust. With a community land trust, we will facilitate land acquisition through a single entity, but have a diversity of Indigenous voices and leadership sit on the Board that will make collective decisions. The purpose and focus of the land held within the land trust is to develop affordable housing units that will serve the Indigenous community and be designed, built, and operated by Indigenous people with a focus on Indigenous-women and Two-Spirit people.
Project Process:
We are creating a roadmap for establishing a land trust governed by and for Indigenous women and Two Spirit Peoples. We have been focused on setting up a governance model that allows for land to be held in community through a land trust. With a community land trust, we will facilitate land acquisition through a single entity, but have a diversity of Indigenous voices and leadership sit on the Board that will make collective decisions. The purpose and focus of the land held within the land trust is to develop affordable housing units that will serve the Indigenous community and be designed, built, and operated by Indigenous people with a focus on Indigenous-women and Two-Spirit people.
Upcoming Events:
September 30, 2026: The Project Lead will be presenting at the Canadian Network of Community Land Trusts Annual Summit in Ottawa, Ontario, on Truth and Reconciliation Day
If you are interested in learning more about this project, getting involved, or want to participate in a community engagement session, please contact the Project Lead.