Sustaining Traditional Places
The Smart Planning for Communities program offers valuable services to BC First Nations communities
interested in creating a community sustainability plan.
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| Marissa Nahanee (left), dances for those at the 2009 Comprehensive Community Plan Orientation, a fall event co-hosted by Tsleil-Waututh Nation and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. Presenter and Facilitator Nathan Matthews (right) leads small groups in a community planning exercise. | |
(North Vancouver, Fall 2009) Smart Planning facilitators Susanne Theurer and Donnella Sellars attended the 2009 Comprehensive Community Plan (CCP) Orientation, jointly hosted by the Tsleil-Waututh Nation and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) and held at the Nation’s Community Centre.
The learning event was designed for communities in the early stages of community planning. Smart Planning for Communities (SPC) was there to connect with First Nations communities on planning issues, learn from their experiences and offer the services of the SPC facilitators.
The work of the Smart Planning program supports the goal of the workshop to bring together people who are involved in Comprehensive Community Planning, to learn and share information and to gain practical experience on how to get started.
The first day emphasized pre-planning and the second focused on planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. First Nation-to-First Nation learning was clearly evident, as was the depth of resourcefulness in those already actively planning for the health of their communities and those ready to begin.
The two days were facilitated by Nathan Matthews of the Simpcw Nation from the Thompson-Nicola area, with INAC manager Colin Harivel and planner Wes Shennan also presenting at the interactive sessions.
Interactive Sessions
The sessions offered presentations by BC First Nations involved in planning processes. During the sessions, presenters offered practical tools for getting started and moving forward with planning and implementation. There was an introduction to the Comprehensive Community Planning Handbook.
Panel Discussions
The sessions were followed by several panel discussions. Panel topics covered community approaches by the Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam, Penticton’s grass roots approach as well as dialogue from T'Sou-ke, Westbank, Gwa'sala-Nakwaxda'xw, Lytton First Nations among others.
Comprehensive Community Plans
A Comprehensive Community Planning process is an ongoing process that enables a community to plan its development (both present and future) in a way that meets its needs and aspirations. It is comprehensive because it addresses all aspects of community life, such as governance and leadership, land and resources, infrastructure development, and cultural, economic and social health of the community.
The benefits of following this process include empowering the community, building teamwork and expertise, protecting resources, celebrating traditions and culture, creating wealth and preparing for the future. The process enables communities within the 38 language regions across BC to build a roadmap to sustainability, self-sufficiency and improved governance capacity.
