About Beringia

Beringia Community Planning is a dynamic, award-winning, participatory-based planning organization that specializes in Indigenous community planning, including First Nations strategic and comprehensive community planning (CCP).

Beringia brings an innovative approach to its participatory, community-based planning practice. We focus on building long-lasting relationships based on trust, respect, mutual learning and friendship. We encourage individual (children, youth, adults and Elders), family, community and Council’s perspectives in making decisions about process and priorities. Beringia’s community-based planning approach honours local culture, knowledge, values and symbols. It supports inclusion, promotes social capital, builds leadership and capacity, and targets learning, recognition and action.

Beringia’s Namesake

Beringia was an ancient place that joined two continents. Stretching from the Kolyma River in Siberia to the Mackenzie River in Canada, this 3,200 km land bridge was a centre of evolution during the Pleistocene (ice age), supporting unique plant and animal life. This fragile, barren and isolated landscape must have established for its inhabitants a deep connection with the land. The settlement of Beringia is a testament to the resilience and determination of First Peoples. Their survival depended on the innovation of a complex array of cultural and technological skills and tools, and the development of close-knit communities that planned and managed shelter and complex harvesting cycles.

Beringia Community Planning’s approach to community-led planning is inspired by this ancient place. Beringia’s work aspires to celebrate and bridge culture(s) by promoting cultural understanding, learning and relations through respectful planning processes, cycles and circles. Community planning practice is entrusted with stewardship of our fragile lands and resources, which we depend on for our humanity and survival. Beringia seeks to foster the same qualities that supported the resilience of those First Peoples in today’s Indigenous and First Nations communities, supporting communities to adapt and innovate in response to present-day opportunities, challenges and threats. Beringia respects and incorporates ancient wisdom that has supported communities for thousands of years, as a foundation for community-led planning processes. At stake is community self-determination for present and future generations, and the opportunity planning presents for communities to lead the change they desire and deserve.