Space in Between: Toward Places of Collaboration and Coexistence in Saskatoon

Abstract

The ongoing process of reconciliation demands continuous efforts from architects and the field of architecture to reckon with the legacies of settler colonialism within built environments. Through an exploration of the multicultural confluence of people in contemporary Saskatoon, this thesis situates urban reserves as both abstract boundaries on land and potential supportive space for transformative place-making. It proposes to blur boundaries by collectivizing urban spaces for public use rekindling connections between Saskatoon’s downtown to the South Saskatchewan River and prairie land. Architects can help create collaborative spaces that blur boundaries within the built environment and encourage meaningful dialogue with communities. By drawing from the experiences of both Indigenous and settler architects, this thesis builds a preliminary set of tools to foster creative relationships between people and the land they inhabit. It emphasizes learning from treaties and working collaboratively to create reciprocal environments, recognizing the daily commitment to being treaty people.