Glossary Aboriginal is the term used by the Federal government in the Canadian Constitution to define and identify the unique contribution of First Nations, Métis and Inuit people to Canada.
Climate Change occurs when long-term weather patterns are altered - for example, through human activity. Global warming is one measure of climate change, and is a rise in the average global temperature. David Suzuki Foundation
Community Engagement is another term for participation. “[I]t implies a sense of ownership, commitment, and excitement. (…) Participation creates a feeling of belonging and shared ownership, but if it is not well organized, it can backfire and cause problems (…) Being thoughtful and inclusive requires we make the best use of people’s time and skills when they agree to work on a project.” Common Weal Community Arts, Artists and Community Collaboration: A Toolkit for Community Projects.
Cultural vitality refers to the ability of communities to describe and discuss their values, and that those values and goals help determine the shape society takes. A community with a high level of cultural vitality would allow people to choose ways to express what matters to them, and would make sure that institutions and policies reflect those values. See Jon Hawkes (2001), The Fourth Pillar of Sustainability: Culture’s essential role in public planning, Melbourne: Common Ground Publishing Pty Ltd. Order at http://www.culturaldevelopment.net/downloads/FourthPillarOrderForm.pdf.
Culture is the collection of beliefs and norms that affect how we relate to each other both within our own communities and beyond. Communities usually possess many different cultures beyond different ethnic groups. For example, there are business, religious, and sports cultures. Museums Association of Saskatchewan, Standards for Saskatchewan Museums.
An Ecomuseum is a dynamic way in which communities preserve, interpret, and manage their heritage for a sustainable development. An Ecomuseum is based on a community agreement. European Network of Ecomuseums: Declaration of Intent of the Long Net Workshop, Trento (Italy), May 2004
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Museums & Sustainability 2012
An ecological footprint is a tool that measures the area of land and water required to produce the natural resources consumed by the human population. It helps to measure sustainability at the global, national or individual level. Environment Canada