Indigene Community :: Communities Directory

Forming Formed: 2001

This page last updated:3/10/2012

Indigene Community

LaSalle, Quebec, Kanien'keh,

Canada

(We are an urban cohousing group in formation looking to transform several existing sites in the greater Montreal region Tiohtiake)

'Indigene' (Latin = 'self-generating') Tiohtiake 'Community' (L = 'com' = 'together' + 'munus' = 'gift or service')

LaSalle-Gardens Mutual Aid Committee function. Individuals interested in working with us gain better idea from communication & involvement in our ecological, environmental, elemental, economic, ergonomic & engineering enhancement projects with multifamily (apartment & townhouse) housing development. We're working together to establish urban based ecological community in the greater Montreal region called Tiohtiake ('place where the nations & their rivers unite & divide') in Mohawk.

We're inspired by humanity's universal indigenous traditions based in multi-family planning, accounting recognition for all labour inputs through 'Production Societies' (Guild-like organisations involving progressive ownership from youth to elder involvement). We're planning for ecological design with sun & other elements, ergonomic with the human body & economic with participant livelihood well-being. We expect to build safe, healthy fire resistant self-sufficient buildings with green-roof, precipitation gathering, urine-fecal separating green humanure toilets, grey water recycling etc. Our internal structuring involves both 'Consensus' ('reaching for common values' and respecting 'common interest') & 'Caucusing' (Iroquois = 'grouping of like interests' or 'cultivation of diversity') among multi-stakeholder Founders, Workers, Suppliers & Consumers. A Human Resource Catalogue facilitates participation among intentional members & larger community. We expect to work within existing economic structures & help them work sustainably.

We work contractually (written agreements), by accounting for contributions at market rates each individual developing credits. Every transaction involves investment through Production Societies. Individuals develop equity ownership (charged at market rates) in condominium units as well as being given the opportunity & accounting recognition for participation in commmon area functions. Our target is to have approximately 100 individuals (35 households)living adjacent (private & independent 'partements' at market costs)with opportunities & accounting recognition to contribute to common area functions & other services. We Plan, invest & account for essential domestic (food, shelter, clothing, warmth & health) economies among critical numbers of interacting people with diverse ta

Website: http://www.indigenecommunity.info

Contact:

Douglas Jack
9662 Jean-Milot
LaSalle-Montreal, Quebec H8R 1X9 Canada
Phone: 514-365-9594

Links:

Tsi Tetsionitiotiakon Sustainability Rooted in Heritage: First Nation Placenames and traditions in Tiohtiake region, Kanien'keh nation, Onowarageh (Turtle Island)

Indigene Community: Indigenous Knowledge for sustainable development today

Community location is placed at the center of the zip/postal code, city/state, or city/country (not based on street addresses)

Former/Other Names: Indigene Community

This page last updated:3/10/2012

Visitors Accepted

(In formation)

Visitor Process: We live on a 40 acre housing development built in 1955 with 700 apartments, 50 townhouses and 108 Habitation Loyer Modique (Average Cost Housing). We are building relational economy for individuals and families to work intentionally with local businesses and each other through a Human Resource Catalogue. We call this organising from the Tree Roots in terms of transforming an existing urban community and developing ownership and stewardship among us.

Network Affiliations:

Fellowship for Intentional Community

:: Green Map System

Statement of Housing Non-discrimination:

Our community does not discriminate in regards to housing based on race/color, national origin, religion, sex/gender, family status (i.e. having children, not having children, or being pregnant), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, ancestry, source of income, age, creed, personal appearance, political affiliation, HIV infection, military/veteran status, unfavorable military discharge, gender identity or expression, receiving public assistance, or being the victim of domestic abuse.

Comment: Our community is inter-generational and multi-stakeholder

Population Members(adults and children): 2600 (In formation) Non-member Residents: 2500 (In formation) Open to new members: Yes (In formation)	Government Decision Making: Other (Consensus, caucussing (Iroquois means 'grouping of like-interests'), Progressive Ownership based in accounting for human resource contributions) Identified Leader: No (In formation) Leadership Core Group: Yes (A group of friends working together)	Labor and Money Financial Style: Other (Through the development of a Human Resource Catalogue and a system of Community Investment and Exchange.) Open to Members with Pre-existing Debt: Yes (Individuals are responsible for their own debts.) Labor Contribution: (Dwelling units are arranged as Condominiums. We charge market rates for units and accord market rates for labour and other contributions. All contributions of money, labour, goods, services or organising labours for Common Areas are accounted for and interchangeable.) Join Fee: No (Individuals without money may contribute other services.) Regular Fees: No (Condominium ownership by each household or family. Common area fees may be paid by money or other services.)
Land and Buildings Urban (We are concerned with whole urban transformation.) Area: 40 acres (16.2 hectares) (Some of us live at this site but don't have title. We are also considering other smaller properties, buildings and building.) Land Owned By: Other (Presently a core of us are living in an old Canadian federal housing development called LaSalle Gardens built by the CMHC in 1955. It has been sold to a private company, is worth about 40,000,000$. We are organising our whole economy expenditures that families would be able to organise and buy together. We are looking at a number of sites each unique, but are grouping our economies and ability to develop ownership.) Number of Residences: 858 (Our target is a minimum of 100 people living in connected urban housing units.) Cohousing: Yes (Our model is one of progressive ownership in the tradition of the production societies and guilds of the world.)	Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: 6-20% (Agro-forest-garden approach based in tree-led production. We've developed a number of orchard trees and gardens) Share Community Meals: 1-3 times/month (Informally we sometimes gather but eventually forsee some Community Kitchens. In formation) Dietary Choice or Restrictions: Diet is up to each individual (The core group is reaching for vegan and raw qualities) Dietary Practice: Primarily vegetarian (We respect and celebrate individual choice at the same time as working towards raw and vegan values.) Alcohol Use: Seldom used (Concern about mental and physical health, addiction, relations, Only home grown) Tobacco Use: Seldom used (Concern about health and fire risks)	Social Factors Common Spiritual Practices: Yes (Love and life with a focus on working together for livelihood essentials) Which Spiritual Traditions(s): Native American (Practical life promoting spiritual) Educational Style(s): Home schooling (Reaching for a community service model of home-schooling.)

Cohousing Details

Cohousing Status:

Forming

Year Completed:

1955

(In formation)

Square Feet in Common House:

1200

(In formation)

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Become an Editor Current editor(s): DouglasJack

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