Abstract

This zine is a condensed form of an essay made for the Post-Colonial Culture, Architecture & Urbanism course in Dalhousie University’s Master of Architecture program. It attempts to discuss some of the long term and mostly unseen/undiscussed impacts of colonialism on the biodiversity and presence of tree species within Mi’Kma’Ki (Nova Scotia) and more specifically Kjipuktuk (Halifax). To perform this analysis and ease into this discussion it mainly focuses on one species of tree, the Oak tree. Oaks are introduced as a storied part of history which interacted with both indigenous communities and settler-colonists, showing uses and impacts stemming from those interactions. The Zine ends with an interactive component which encourages readers to go out an analyze their city streets, with a demonstration of a key shopping street within Halifax.