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Walking Together: Community Engagement to Inform Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Initiatives (Public Survey)

The City of Brantford is seeking input to inform the potential development of an Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Framework (IRRF).

This is an early-stage listening activity intended to better understand community experiences and to inform future reconciliation efforts, service improvements, and relationship-building.

This survey will help the City understand:

- How Indigenous residents and service users access services in Brantford
- Where barriers or gaps may exist
- Opportunities to improve inclusion, accessibility, and service delivery

Your responses will help shape recommendations for meaningful and informed action.

Disclaimer:
- This survey is voluntary
- This survey is administered by an external consultant and results will be reported in aggregate form
- No identifying information will be collected
- You may skip any question you do not wish to answer
Demographic Questions
1.How do you identify?
2.Where do you reside?
3.On a scale of 1-10 how familiar are you with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action as they relate to Municipalities?
Very unfamiliar
Very familiar
4.On a scale of 1-10, how well do you feel the City of Brantford is doing in relationship building with Indigenous residents and/or city based organizations?
Not very well
Extremely well
5.Please provide a reason for your selection above.
6.On a scale of 1-10, how well do you feel the City of Brantford is doing in relationship building with nearby Indigenous communities and/or government?
Not very well
Extremely well
7.Please provide a reason for your selection above.
8.In your experience, how welcoming or inclusive do City services, programs, or public spaces feel toward Indigenous peoples?
Not at all inclusive
Very inclusive
9.What initiatives, programs, or projects do you feel would be successful in advancing Indigenous inclusion or reconciliation?
10.If an Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Framework was successful what would be noticeably different in 5 years?
Section 2: Daily Living & Essential Services
11.How often do you access daily living and essential services in the City of Brantford?
Prefer not to answer
Never
Rarely
A few times per year
Monthly
Weekly
Daily
Grocery stores and food access
Pharmacies and access to medications
Healthcare services (family doctor, walk-in clinics, hospitals)
Banking and financial services
Retail and personal care services
12.Please share your experiences accessibility daily living and essential services in the City of Brantford. You may wish to reflect on:
  • Whether you feel welcomed, respected, and culturally safe
  • Any differences in how you are treated compared to others
  • What changes would improve access, inclusion, or overall experience
Section 3: Employment, Education & Training
13.How often do you or your dependants access employment, education, and training services in the City of Brantford?
Prefer not to answer
Never
Rarely
A few times per year
Monthly
Weekly
Daily
Employment or workplaces
Childcare and daycare services
Elementary and secondary schools
Post-secondary education or training programs
Adult education or skills training
14.Please share your experiences with employment, education, and training services in the City of Brantford. You may wish to reflect on:
  • Whether these environments feel inclusive and respectful of Indigenous identity, culture, and perspectives.
  • Availability of Indigenous-specific supports or services.
  • What meaningful inclusion or reconciliation could look like in these spaces.
Section 4: Community & Cultural Services
15.How often do you access community and cultural services in the City of Brantford?
Prefer not to answer
Never
Rarely
A few times per year
Monthly
Weekly
Daily
Indigenous-specific service organizations
Community centres, recreation, and sports program
Libraries and learning spaces
Parks, trails, and outdoor spaces
Traditional healing or culturally-based wellness services
Food banks and community food programs
16.Please share your experiences with community and cultural services in the City of Brantford. You may wish to reflect on:
  • Whether you feel a sense of belonging in these spaces or whether these spaces reflect and respect Indigenous cultures and identities.
  • Availability and accessibility of Indigenous-specific supports.
  • Barriers or gaps in services (e.g., awareness, transportation, eligibility, cultural safety).
Section 5: Housing, Transportation & Infrastructure
17.How often do you access housing, transportation, and infrastructure services in the City of Brantford?
Prefer not to answer
Never
Rarely
A few times per year
Monthly
Weekly
Daily
Housing services (renting, shelters, housing support)
Public transit
Roads, highways, and city maintenance
Active transportation (walking, biking, trails)
Water, wastewater, and sanitation services
18.Please share your experiences with housing, transportation, and infrastructure in the City of Brantford. You may wish to reflect on:
  • Access to safe, affordable, and stable infrastructure, services, or community spaces.
  • Opportunities to honour Indigenous rights, history, and presence in public spaces.
  • What improvements would make the biggest difference for inclusion and reconciliation.
Section 6: Municipal Services, Supports & Governance
19.How often do you access municipal and civic services in the City of Brantford?
Prefer not to answer
Never
Rarely
A few times per year
Monthly
Weekly
Daily
Municipal services (permits, licensing, by-law, customer service)
Income support and social services (Ontario Works, ODSP, childcare subsidy)
Employment and business support services
Public engagement opportunities (meetings, surveys, consultations)
20.Please share your experiences interacting with municipal services and decision-making processes in the City of Brantford. You may wish to reflect on:
  • Whether you feel heard, respected, and included when interacting with City staff, programs, or processes
  • Any challenges or barriers you have experienced
  • What actions the City could take to strengthen relationships with Indigenous residents, organizations, and communities
21.What are the top 3 changes the City of Brantford could make to improve Indigenous inclusion and relationships?
22.Do you have anything else you would like to add?