The Mentorship Initiative for Indigenous and Planners of Colour (MIIPOC) was established out of the recognition that, while urban and community planning has a significant impact on peoples’ lives and well-being, Indigenous, Black and People of Colour who are planners are notoriously under-represented in a profession that must act on behalf of their communities, communities which have been systematically under-served.

The program was created by a group of planners, aspiring planners and city builders who believe the inclusion of diverse perspectives is crucial to the creation of a city that works for everyone. We use our interdisciplinary, inter-organizational network’s strength to promote and accommodate the professional growth of Indigenous and People of Colour in urban planning. MIIPOC seeks to provide a social and professional networking infrastructure to support and connect planners who are Indigenous, Black or people of colour with opportunities for skills development and peer mentorship. MIIPOC believes professional mentorship is an effective mechanism to create sustainable career pathways, key to support individuals with their personal development goals and important to attract and retain Indigenous, Black and planners of colour who are critical to the efficacy of the profession.