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Cogswell Storytelling Engagement Program

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UPDATE: African Nova Scotian / African Descent Engagement Event - June 25 at 6:00pm

Ignite Consulting is hosting an African Nova Scotian Community Information & Engagement Session on Tuesday, June 25th at the Halifax North Memorial Public Library (2285 Gottingen Street, Halifax) from 6:00-8:00pm. This will be the first of several engagement events as part of the Cogswell Storytelling Engagement Program. The focus of this event is to gather input on how the community would like to see themselves represented in the Cogswell District development. The feedback provided by the community can influence various elements, including:

  • Park names
  • Public art installations
  • Public art and community programming
  • Historical and interpretive markers
  • Public space and urban design
  • Landscaping design
  • Etc.

Your participation and insights are valuable in shaping the future of the Cogswell district. The event focuses on African Nova Scotian histories and stories, however, all residents are welcomed to attend.

Cogswell District Project Background

The Cogswell District Project is one of the largest community building projects in Halifax’s history. The project, which started in 2013, focuses on removing downtown Halifax's Cogswell Interchange and replacing it with a welcoming and vibrant neighbourhood.

HRM has worked with many residents and consultants since the project's launch. Specifically, many aspects of the Cogswell Project's design were shaped by a public engagement program that took place in 2018 (the engagement report can be found here). Construction on the Cogswell District Project began in 2021 and regular construction updates continue to be posted here.

The Need for Storytelling

2018 public engagement found that there was a strong interest in celebrating the culture and stories of Indigenous, Mi’kmaw, and African Nova Scotian/African Descent communities within the Cogswell District. These communities want more public spaces throughout the municipality that speak to and celebrate their lived history. The Cogswell District Project provides a unique opportunity to explore this need through community-driven work within an area that is connected to their history and has new public spaces.

In order to proceed, HRM must hold community-focused engagement events with Indigenous, Mi’kmaw, and African Nova Scotian/African Descent communities to understand what storytelling and placemaking opportunities should be pursued.

Cogswell Storytelling Engagement Program (June - September 2024)

This Cogswell Storytelling Engagement Program is a community-led partnership that will identify and facilitate the Mi'kmaw and African Nova Scotian stories and histories that should be celebrated through art and interpretation within the Cogswell District, including meaningful ways to present and locate these stories. HRM has hired two consultants - one from each community - to lead the engagement programs during the summer of 2024. Each consultant will:

  • Execute engagement that is tailored to the unique needs of each community.
  • Identify and facilitate the specific stories and histories that are connected to, and should be celebrated within, the Cogswell District.
  • Identify what forms of art, interpretation, programming, and placemaking are effective at conveying specific stories and histories.
  • Create an engagement program summary report that outlines the collected input and storytelling priorities.
  • Summarize details that a designer needs to produce and fabricate physical storytelling elements in the future (likely beginning in 2025).

African Nova Scotian & African Descent Engagement

Ignite Consulting, specifically DeRico Symonds and Kate MacDonald, are leading the African Nova Scotian / African Descent engagement program. Ignite strives to put people first, support our communities, and be a catalyst for meaningful change. The duo also has significant experience in African Nova Scotian engagement and they have collaborated with HRM on several other projects.

The African Nova Scotian Cogswell Storytelling Engagement Program will kick-off on Tuesday, June 25 at the Halifax North Memorial Public Library (2285 Gottingen Street, Halifax) from 6:00-8:00pm. Please check back to this website for updates on additional engagement opportunities.

Mi'kmaw & Urban Indigenous Engagement

Lyndsay Francis, who is of Mi’kmaw heritage and a member of the Acadia First Nation, and Kristen Elkow are leading the Cogswell Storytelling Engagement Program with the Mi'kmaw & Urban Indigenous community. Lyndsay and Kristen are both professional planners who excel at community engagement (with a focus on equity deserving communities), coordinating community-driven projects, and developing social policy.

They will take a people-centered approach to this engagement program, in order to build relationships and cater to Indigenous needs. Their engagement will be executed in two-phases; Phase 1 will take place in mid-July 2024 and Phase 2 will occur in late-August 2024. Both phases of engagement will involve multiple modes of participation (in-person, virtual, and remote participation). Please stay tuned for more information on these engagement opportunities.


UPDATE: African Nova Scotian / African Descent Engagement Event - June 25 at 6:00pm

Ignite Consulting is hosting an African Nova Scotian Community Information & Engagement Session on Tuesday, June 25th at the Halifax North Memorial Public Library (2285 Gottingen Street, Halifax) from 6:00-8:00pm. This will be the first of several engagement events as part of the Cogswell Storytelling Engagement Program. The focus of this event is to gather input on how the community would like to see themselves represented in the Cogswell District development. The feedback provided by the community can influence various elements, including:

  • Park names
  • Public art installations
  • Public art and community programming
  • Historical and interpretive markers
  • Public space and urban design
  • Landscaping design
  • Etc.

Your participation and insights are valuable in shaping the future of the Cogswell district. The event focuses on African Nova Scotian histories and stories, however, all residents are welcomed to attend.

Cogswell District Project Background

The Cogswell District Project is one of the largest community building projects in Halifax’s history. The project, which started in 2013, focuses on removing downtown Halifax's Cogswell Interchange and replacing it with a welcoming and vibrant neighbourhood.

HRM has worked with many residents and consultants since the project's launch. Specifically, many aspects of the Cogswell Project's design were shaped by a public engagement program that took place in 2018 (the engagement report can be found here). Construction on the Cogswell District Project began in 2021 and regular construction updates continue to be posted here.

The Need for Storytelling

2018 public engagement found that there was a strong interest in celebrating the culture and stories of Indigenous, Mi’kmaw, and African Nova Scotian/African Descent communities within the Cogswell District. These communities want more public spaces throughout the municipality that speak to and celebrate their lived history. The Cogswell District Project provides a unique opportunity to explore this need through community-driven work within an area that is connected to their history and has new public spaces.

In order to proceed, HRM must hold community-focused engagement events with Indigenous, Mi’kmaw, and African Nova Scotian/African Descent communities to understand what storytelling and placemaking opportunities should be pursued.

Cogswell Storytelling Engagement Program (June - September 2024)

This Cogswell Storytelling Engagement Program is a community-led partnership that will identify and facilitate the Mi'kmaw and African Nova Scotian stories and histories that should be celebrated through art and interpretation within the Cogswell District, including meaningful ways to present and locate these stories. HRM has hired two consultants - one from each community - to lead the engagement programs during the summer of 2024. Each consultant will:

  • Execute engagement that is tailored to the unique needs of each community.
  • Identify and facilitate the specific stories and histories that are connected to, and should be celebrated within, the Cogswell District.
  • Identify what forms of art, interpretation, programming, and placemaking are effective at conveying specific stories and histories.
  • Create an engagement program summary report that outlines the collected input and storytelling priorities.
  • Summarize details that a designer needs to produce and fabricate physical storytelling elements in the future (likely beginning in 2025).

African Nova Scotian & African Descent Engagement

Ignite Consulting, specifically DeRico Symonds and Kate MacDonald, are leading the African Nova Scotian / African Descent engagement program. Ignite strives to put people first, support our communities, and be a catalyst for meaningful change. The duo also has significant experience in African Nova Scotian engagement and they have collaborated with HRM on several other projects.

The African Nova Scotian Cogswell Storytelling Engagement Program will kick-off on Tuesday, June 25 at the Halifax North Memorial Public Library (2285 Gottingen Street, Halifax) from 6:00-8:00pm. Please check back to this website for updates on additional engagement opportunities.

Mi'kmaw & Urban Indigenous Engagement

Lyndsay Francis, who is of Mi’kmaw heritage and a member of the Acadia First Nation, and Kristen Elkow are leading the Cogswell Storytelling Engagement Program with the Mi'kmaw & Urban Indigenous community. Lyndsay and Kristen are both professional planners who excel at community engagement (with a focus on equity deserving communities), coordinating community-driven projects, and developing social policy.

They will take a people-centered approach to this engagement program, in order to build relationships and cater to Indigenous needs. Their engagement will be executed in two-phases; Phase 1 will take place in mid-July 2024 and Phase 2 will occur in late-August 2024. Both phases of engagement will involve multiple modes of participation (in-person, virtual, and remote participation). Please stay tuned for more information on these engagement opportunities.