Indigenous Place-Based Case Studies – Case study : Arctic Foundation : Gordon Foundation

Justification of research project

We explore the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust to understand how social constructions of placed are defined in Indigenous contexts through land and spiritual practice.   

The Clayoquot Biosphere Trust (CBT) is a charitable organization, and the only organization in Canada that is designated as both a UNESCO biosphere region (Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Region – CSBR) and also a community foundation. The CBT is the organization that oversees the CSBR. 

We explored the role of place as sacred, beautifully sculpted in natural and cultural landscapes, where a sense of place contextually binds personal meaning with experience. Through this lens, we were able to see the various ways in which the CBT infuses the sense of place to include the social and historical processes by which place meanings are constructed to contribute to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).