Sik-e-Dakh Communtiy Vision Final Report by CopperMoon

Report

Sik-e-Dakh Community Vision Project Final Report

lower mainland | central interior | northern bc

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lower mainland | central interior | northern bc

Thursday, March 31, 2011 â&#x20AC;˘ SED Final Report v3-1 jb.pages

Table of Contents Project Summary

Survey Results Results: All Results: Youth Results: Over 30

5 5 7 9

Meeting Results How is the Community? Where Would You Start? Good at... What is Holding us Back? What is Working? What used to Work? Goals for the Future

11 12 13 15 16 19 22

Wordles

SWOT Analyses for the Administrative Office

Consensus-Based Vision and Mission

General Recommendations Yearly Planning

30 31

Summary

Project Summary The Sik-e-Dakh Community Vision Project communicated openly with community members and generated some consensus on the community vision. Community leadership wants direction and hopefully unity from the community. The goal of the project is to create a solid foundation for community planning and visioning. This project began as an INAC proposal by executive director Sandra Olson entitled “Taking Hold of Tomorrow.” CopperMoon Communications was hired by the band to carry out the project. We began the project planning in late February and held two weeks of community meetings in March. This report represents a summary of the community meetings and our recommendations based on what we heard from members. Our strategy included using the most modern tools to communicate and report back to community members. We launched a survey which could be completed online and on paper. We created a project website, which was updated on a daily basis, and also used a Facebook group to reach out. The results were overwhelmingly positive. Within 12 hours over 100 members joined the Facebook group, and we had 153 survey entries by the time the last meeting wrapped up! This response represents a large part of the active Sik-e-Dakh membership. We posted daily updates during the meetings, including meeting notes and YouTube videos from the meetings. We also made a live report of survey results and comments that members could view at any time. Our goal was to achieve transparency and build trust with members. Everyone responded very well to the daily communication, and we received a fantastic response, with a noticeable trend towards more positive comments and solution-based thinking by the time the project was finished. This report is based on both the survey results and the meeting results. In the following pages we invite you to browse the summaries. We wrap up the report with some recommendations based on the main themes and ideas we heard during the work. All My Relations, Jacob Beaton CopperMoon Communications “Weakness -People are littering and not caring about the looks of our community. Threats -Too many drunk people make it scary to go out and play. Strength - That family is important to people. Opportunity - Wish we a had playground that is nice and safe. (There are no more meetings?) I am using my moms email, I don't have one.” - Sik-e-Dakh Youth

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Survey Results The survey was created with input, feedback, and additions from the team at the band office. The intent of the survey was to identify top issues facing community members, and to gather opinions and feedback in a safe way. We received 153 survey entries over the course of the project. We allowed each person to enter a maximum of two times, once before a meeting and once after. There were few duplicates, and of those that did complete two surveys, their answers often changed after attending a community meeting. We were very happy with the quantity and quality of survey submissions. Community members had a lot to say and most people voiced their opinions in their comments. The results can be considered very accurate, as the sample size represents a majority of the adult age members.

Results: All

Interesting Facts (All): • • • • •

50% are youth (under the age of 31). 66% use the internet every day! 52% are not employed. 24% play sports or are active in the territory. 16% speak the language.

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Third Place Weaknesses and Challenges

Second Place

First Place

Lack of education and training

Conflict, loss of language and culture, lack of communication and understanding (3 way tie)

Lack of Jobs and Employment

Important Values

Culture and Language

Personal Health and Well-being

Children and Families

Opportunities and Strengths

We are proud

We have beautiful children

We live in a beautiful place

Safe and healthy community

More jobs and education

A new community hall

Top Goals

Interesting Facts (All): • • • • •

54% planned on attending a community vision meeting 33% actually attended a meeting 78% rated the meeting as high as possible 45% listed e-mail as the best way to communicate (#1) followed by 37% preferring a phone call (#2)

All of the survey results can be viewed and verified online, including all the comments from the survey. Click here to view. “I would love more interaction within community members regarding activities of interest to all. Also to maintain regular communications with off-reserve members who live away for job & education purposes. Keep the lines of connectivity & sense of belonging open.” - Sik-e-Dakh off-reserve member © 2010 CopperMoon Communications :: ph/fx 877 475 0754 :: www.coppermoon.ca

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Results: Youth

Interesting Facts (Youth): • • • • •

82% live on-reserve 66% use the internet every day, the same as the overall average. Perhaps reflective of access to internet. 60% are unemployed 32% regularly play sports 19% regularly go to community events

To view all youth survey results click here. “Sik-e-Dakh is a small community. However, two employment opportunities are close at hand. The potato garden is a stepping stone to regular seasonal employment, but due to low selling it is hard to make a profit. With the rise of food going up, the potential of garden fresh produce from GV looks prospective. The second is silviculture. GV has second gen farm plant [spruce] growing in our backyard since the 80s. A small group can start on the [thinning] which could lead to a band company such as it exists in Kispiox, our neighbour, and Gitsegukla.” - Sik-e-Dakh Youth “I think this community has the potential to make things better for the future generations.I think that we all can work together and and make positive changes so that the future generations can follow by our example and not follow what they have seen with the abuse of drugs and alcohol and hope that they can see that there is more to life then what they see in our small community.” - Sik-e-Dakh Youth “i think that this village has alot of potential, but not alot of motivation. i also think we really need that community hall, desperately. there also should be some more job oppritunities, and giving people oppritunities to go and get more educations to go and get a good, well paying job. so yeah, i guess that all i can really say, so i guess i'm done, thank you.” - Sik-e-Dakh Youth

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Third Place

Second Place

First Place

Weaknesses Conflict and people and Challenges not getting along

Lack of education and training

Lack of Jobs and Employment

Important Values

Making money and profit

Personal health and well-being

Children and Families

Opportunities and Strengths

We have beautiful children

We are proud

We live in a beautiful place

Top Goals

More jobs and education

A new community hall

More sports and activities

Analysis (Youth): It is interesting to see that many of the youth trends follow the overall average, but more. For example, youth have a higher unemployment rate, and go to fewer meetings and community events, but they play more sports. This re-enforces a theme from the meetings, one of the youth following in the footsteps of the adults in the community. As one person put it, adults need to be the change and model it for the youth to follow. In general youth also share very similar perspectives on the community. They chose the same results for all the main questions, except their top goal is more sports and activities, while the hall takes second place for youth. “If we could stop being so greedy and stop doing the whole "I'ma get mine I hope you get yours" and start working together. We need unity and less greed!” - Sik-e-Dakh Youth “weaknesses: we have no jobs or future. threats: we have people that want to hurt each other. strengths: proud to be from here. opportunities: we could have a fruit garden, and you'd be able to make & sell jam/berries. more tourism...” - Sik-e-Dakh Youth

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Results: Over 30

Interesting Facts (Over 30): • • • • •

50% are between the age of 31 and 45. 66% use the internet every day, the same as youth and the average! 45% are unemployed 33% regularly attend community events 32% work outside the band

To view all over 30 survey results click here. “im not trying 2 single any particular family out bcause it is all families(including mine) in our community,when i say"our biggest hold back is our lack of getting along ...there is no community spirit!...every 1 is closed minded when others speak up n voice their opinions".. 4 a small community we sure are divided.” - Sik-e-Dakh Community Member “...too much corruption when it comes down to money. Nothing is out in the open and is hidden when it comes to our public Administration. We need our own education centre for whole families, a cultural/healing lodge and a safe home. we have to ban alcohol and drugs, we are suppose to be a alcohol free community. I do not want my children to grow up in a dysfunctional community and education system...” - Sik-e-Dakh Community Member “I think the big issue of drugs and alcohol should be seriously dealt with in the community, it's sad to see how bad it has gotten with our youth as well as those within our Territory. What is the vision for the Band, Chief and Council, it takes great leadership to stand up and enforce positive changes within the community, basically its a policing job that needs to be done for our future generations, even if it takes tough love and banning members out of our community. We desperately need a new hall to bring the community together, unite the children and youth in healthy positive activities...The question should be asked once we have a hall, should Bingo be the main use for it?” - Sik-e-Dakh Community Member © 2010 CopperMoon Communications :: ph/fx 877 475 0754 :: www.coppermoon.ca

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Third Place

Second Place

First Place

Weaknesses Conflict and people and Challenges not getting along

Loss of language and culture

Lack of Jobs and Employment

Important Values

Personal health and well-being

Culture and language

Children and Families

Opportunities and Strengths

We are proud

We have beautiful children

We live in a beautiful place

Safe and healthy community

More jobs and education

A new community hall

Top Goals

Analysis (Over 30): Members over the age of 30 share largely the same views as the youth. Culture and language are more important to those over 30, and they are a little more job focussed. The top goal of the over-30s is a new community hall, although in the comments members expressed concern with fundraising efforts and ideas on what the hall would be used for. “...One of the major weaknesses of our community is the INAC election system... this is the direct root of the division in our community. Our traditional way of electing leadership was through our elders... the elders selected the leadership by how the person carries him/herself and how strong they are in every aspect of their lives. The leadership are chosen by how they can really stand for the people and find ways of taking care or teaching them to take care of themselves...” - Sik-e-Dakh Elder “we have to monitor fundraisers, they have to be held accountable if they use our community's name to raise money, there is too much imbezlement. When a community member does wrong and harms another memeber they have to be held accountable. We should hold circles of responsibility where everyone involved gets to state their feelings.” - Sik-e-Dakh Community Member © 2010 CopperMoon Communications :: ph/fx 877 475 0754 :: www.coppermoon.ca

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Meeting Results A total of six community vision meetings were held over two weeks at the community drop-in. Meeting groups were planned to be safe and easy for members to voice their concerns. Members of chief and council and the administration abstained from the meetings so members would be more open. The meetings were advertised online, in the newsletter, and over the phone. Daily reminders were also sent out. Overall the meetings were a great success. Some meetings exceeded the expected turnout, while others had less than we expected. The quality of discussion in all the meetings was excellent. The meetings differed from the survey. The survey allowed people a private, individual forum to voice their opinion, while the meetings allowed for group dynamics and consensus to form. Groups were formed based on family members and comfort levels. A look at the wordles later on in this report gives a good ‘feeling’ for how different they were from each other. Photos, summaries, and videos from the meeting are available on the website: www.sikedakhvision.com

“We the people have to make the change. We can’t expect things to change if we don’t want to change them. We as a community have to make the change if we want it to happen. We can’t say things and not go through with them. Have to stand behind what you want to do.” - Sik-e-Dakh Community Member, from Community Meeting “It is a tough place, a lot of hurt, a lot of anger. It needs a lot of wellness and encouragement. It’s been a generational thing. A lot of young people don’t know or understand the anger, it is just passed on.” - Sik-e-Dakh Community Member, from Community Meeting “Give the kids a chance and they will make a difference. Give them a chance to make change.” - Sik-e-Dakh Community Member, from Community Meeting

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How is the Community? I asked the question, “How is the community?” to get a feeling from the group on how optimistic they were about the future. With some groups, especially the youth, they were asked to place themselves on a spectrum from “things will get worse” to “things will get better.” Many groups followed group dynamics - if one person felt strongly one way, many would empathize and follow suit. We had some groups that were very optimistic and others that were very pessimistic at the beginning of the meeting.

Main themes: • • • • •

Glen Vowell is boring, stagnant, stalled, small and isolated It is a fun place to grow up, but a boring and dangerous place to be an adult People feel hopeless, trapped It may get worse before it gets better It has hit the bottom and can only get better from here

Here’s what people had to say: “Things are going to get worse, haven’t hit the bottom yet - direction we’re heading it is going to get worse before it gets better.” “Would get worse if all of us didn’t try and learn about the culture and living off the land.” “I think it will get better, on a good path, everyone connecting. Used to get along, rely on each other and support one another. Will get better if we keep communicating. Constructive communication would be really great.” “A lot of people wanting to do things but we don’t get up and do it.” “Went from fun to boring - fun when I was little.” “Parents who don’t know how to be parents. A big gap that needs some closure... a generation that missed out on the love from parents.” “Sense a feeling of hopelessness in youth. Why they go to drugs and alcohol at such a young age.” “It is too comfortable on reserve, too scary to step away. Lots of opportunity off reserve.”

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Where Would You Start? In goal setting and visioning work, it is easy to say that everything is important. This is why I ask the question “Where would you start?” To make it more challenging, I asked participants how they’d improve their community if they had one month to live and some money. This exercise forced people to focus on the strengths of the community, and to do some focussed visioning. Members had a lot to say in the meetings, although some key themes did emerge.

Main themes: • • • •

Education is a top priority Healing is very important Unity and working together Advocating projects that mix different priorities, like jobs and education, or culture and healing.

Here’s what people had to say: “Education - develop our own curriculum in this community. Need to educate parents how to educate their children. Bring back gardening. People are right brain oriented, learn as a family.” “Education in the sense that providing the education you will create jobs. Education can include culture. If it includes culture can transform into healing. Variety, not just words and numbers.” “Healing because someone, anybody doesn’t feel good about themselves they won’t do well in education, it won’t unfold, and they won’t strive for what they want in their life. This is a big problem in the community, lack of confidence and goals.” “I would start with the kids, better programs, more things for them to do. Could include education, culture, base it around them. They are our future.” “Jobs because there is not much opportunities for families - they just getting by paycheque to paycheque - pretty hard when you’re struggling.”

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Here’s what people had to say: “Education and culture because everybody needs their education to get into working. Learning our culture and doing what they can to survive, and bringing in money for the jobs they do.” “I would start with family and try and bring more connectedness with the community - big brothers and sisters mentorship. For example connect youth with people who have ‘made it’ - have sense of confidence when you know you’re supported by the community.” “Community solidarity - everyone has great ideas and we need to get together and work on it. Once we have families working together again things will go back to the way they were.” “Education - grass roots education, teach right from the start. For example a canoe journey. School system as well, make sure everyone graduates.” “Education because not too many people around here have an education. People don’t make it because of a mix between school and home problems.” “Culture because this generation isn’t using culture enough and culture will be gone soon.” “Healing because I just think that everyone would work better if they were feeling better about themselves and other people in the community.” “Healing because as a community if we all agree, OK this is the plan, if we all go to treatment - if one kid is there, their friends will go - healing together can make a big impact. With healing comes forgiveness - strength, courage...” “Healing - healing the rift between youth and the elders, it would work together with the employment - youth working for the elders, doing errands, chopping wood. Elders have so much to share, sometimes they need someone to sit quietly and listen. Make 1-on-1 connections.” “Education - education supports jobs. It can go a long way, and it never really ends. Some jobs are temporary. For a good job you need a good education.” “Healing because in order to carry on with education or employment or job or anything like that you need to work on yourself first, dealing with your issues. A lot of it you have to find out the root cause of all the drug and alcohol abuse and why you do the things you do.” “Culture because you have to know who you are and where you come from before you can be a healthy person. If you’re healthy, you can pass those tools along to other people and then you’ll have a healthy community and then you can work on the other stuff.” “Jobs because when a lot of people know what to do they can show other guys - hands on training.” © 2010 CopperMoon Communications :: ph/fx 877 475 0754 :: www.coppermoon.ca

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Good at... As part of the workshops I gathered a general list of what people are good at in the community. This list can be used as a part of future planning, or for assessing the strengths of the community.

Community Members are Good at: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Have spiritual people, prayerful people Good at living off the land Knowledgeable with traditional foods and medicines Have business people A lot of Trades people, especially wood workers A lot of good cooks, caterers, and bakers Mechanics, many small engine repair people People who are good on computers Writers Haricutting Photography Music Firefighters Sports Berry and mushroom pickers Fishermen First aid certification GPS training and certification

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What is Holding us Back? Community members were asked to identify what is holding the community back from getting better. I heard a great deal from members in this area, and there were some very clear themes that emerged. This question was asked about mid-way through the meeting, once members had built up some trust with me and with each other. I gathered many comments and it was clear that members share many common views on what the problems in the community are. For the purposes of the INAC project, this can be considered the “Weaknesses and Threats” facing the community.

Main themes: • • • • • •

Conflict and divisions in the community are a main problem. Lack of communication and a willingness to listen to each other is a big block. Deep rooted suffering, largely stemming from residential school, is causing a lot of problems. Alcohol and drugs were frequently mentioned. A cycle of extreme poverty came up in every meeting. There is genuine concern for children and families, and people see children and parents struggling.

Here’s what people had to say: “Leadership is fighting - leaders are not seeing eye to eye, not getting along.” “A lack of trust. We’re the ones that vote, we have a say, we need to have trust in leaders that they will do what needs to be done.” “Alcohol and drugs - too much of it.” “Our kids are learning from what they see and they end up doing it too.” “Do not have proper role models, have to ask ourselves what are we role modeling for our children?” “Alcohol and drugs - adults and teenagers, a little too much, would rather look for a party than go look for a job.”

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Here’s what people had to say: “Alcohol and drugs keeping people from doing what they should be doing - education, culture, living off the land and learning how to do things.” “Lack of communication the church for example, they need help cooking - it is always the same families/ people who show up to help.” “People will complain but won’t show up, get active.” “Unwillingness of elders, the middle generation, and the younger generation to take responsibility for where we’re at. It is people’s choosing that is holding them and holding us back. It is our unwilling that is holding us all back.” “A lot of great minds here, but family politics hold the ideas back and keep things from happening.” “Lack of interest - in school/ education, lack of interest to hold through a program.” “Fear of going out, and leaving the rez.” “Need to get people away from the fact that we were a 1 industry town. When forestry was gone everyone was depressed.” “Lack of infrastructure for tourism, other business.” “Lack of interest in positive programs, lose interest and don’t show up, perhaps too painful to do the work. Can’t really face up to their shortcomings.” “Kids are crying out for help, given an opportunity they will make a difference.” “Lack of jobs, money to do what they want to do.” “Fear of being gossiped about - fear of speaking up and being heard.” “Hear that elders are first priority, but don’t experience it/ see it.” “People feel ignored - some people get support/ renovations while others don’t.” “It seems like the staff and council are always restrained by their jobs/ job description/ roles. Held back from being involved in the community.” “Division - opposing families, squabbling about what we should be doing.” “Low trust levels - don’t trust council, band, don’t trust each other.”

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Here’s what people had to say: “Need better understanding of what is being said, take the time to understand each other.” “Family feuds - a lot of them go way back.” “Lost a lot of money with families fighting about how to spend it.” “Not accessing grant money that is out there - a lot of money out there.” “Alcohol - trying to hide their pain, what it breaks down to is hurt, way of coping.” “Hereditary chiefs have own mandate and different perspectives of what our Ayookw is.” “Residential school was a major thing that caused people to break down in their cultural activities.” “Culture suppressed and not handed down to the next generation.” “Don’t think anything is working now - see young people - being taught, seeing that families are fighting, will just carry on like the residential school stuff. Kids nowadays learn more from watching.” “Lot of people are comfortable, want the changes but don’t want to make them, comfortable with the way things are.” “Wasn’t always like this remember being a kid and coming back, enjoying soccer tournaments and things like that.” “Aren’t solid community role models for kids to see.” “Get stuck in the cycles here, forget that there is a way out.” “Apathetic parenting - lack of effort, parents don’t do stuff with their kids anymore.”

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What is Working? What used to Work? This question was asked to find out what the current strengths of the community are. In knowing what is working, or what used to work, we can find a path of least resistance to change it. The things that are working can be strengthened moving forward. For the INAC purposes this can be considered the community “Strengths.”

Main themes: • • • • •

The community used to be united and a lot was accomplished by working together. There have been some good programs for kids and youth. Sports continues to be a strength, and tournaments and travel for sports used to be very successful. Community gatherings like the former tradition of a Canada Day picnic are appreciated. Farming and gardening was mentioned often, and the potato garden was acknowledged as a good start to bringing back this tradition in the community.

Here’s what people had to say: “Sports - when everyone played with and against each other and had fun doing it.” “When someone dies - I see genuine concern and care, and the unity that goes with it.” “Elders used to travel, go on trips, now they are stuck here.” “Used to go to Ross lake all the time, every canada day, used to have a big community picnic out there. Don’t see that anymore.” “Used to have 6 canoes.” “Used to do hikes - go up the mountain once a year.” “Used to have a minivan that was ON THE GO - packed all the time.” “Used to have Vball behind the church all the time - kept us out of trouble.” “Used to have a good hockey team here.” “Would love to see the village the way it was, when everyone worked together.” © 2010 CopperMoon Communications :: ph/fx 877 475 0754 :: www.coppermoon.ca

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Here’s what people had to say: “Had a furniture shop one time that kept people employed - were making things like lamps and dressers, back in the 70s and 80s.” “Had a silviculture business that was doing fairly well.” “Gardening - started to pick that up again. Everyone used to have a garden.” “The potato farm is working, would like to see more.” “When the park was actually a park - was fun before it was torn apart.” “There was a lot of activities - like trips, planned parties.” “Fishing and hunting. Hikes.” “Baseball - used to play in front yard.” “Soccer brings people together.” “Positive indian parenting was a good program - though people lost interest.” “We had a good youth group at one time, we always had good turnout.” “A long time ago public works used to work - if you needed a house or community building it would be built. People would cook to feed the workers. A family would have all the meals in one of their homes - post the meals for the day - work bees.” “All community came together when the threat of flooding happened. Elders, youth, everyone. Everyone contributed.” “Over the summer had a few different programs like summer science camp.” “Community calendar - see smiles on there - see pictures from the years.” “Tournaments - people come out to have fun - never used to have brawls.” “Some of the people working with the kids are doing a great job, keeping them busy, those people need more help.” “Overall unity of the community - like the hockey team - community spirit was so high everyone was there to support the youth.”

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Here’s what people had to say: “When people were together and supporting the kids the feuds were gone.” “It was so much better as kids - better than now - fewer feuds - didn’t know who had money back then and it was a good thing.” “Bike-a-thons - kids got together to raise money for the church - just brought the parents together, worked together for making community better.” “Played hide and seek before electricity, street lights.” “A lot of work bees - everyone worked together to help others.” “Youth groups - in early 1990s - used to fundraise and go to places like Hawaii.” “Used to get together and play games - manhunt, cops and robbers, used to play a lot, even at night.” “Kids used to do a lot of things with their parents.” “We used to have pride.” “Working in the garden works.”

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Goals for the Future I asked members what their goals for the future are as the final question in the community meetings. After discussing the problems and gaining more trust with each other, our groups were very open to discuss their hopes for the future. Many goals are reversals of the problems: move from conflict to unity, and unemployment to employment, for example. Others had some very specific ideas and “pitches” to the group, from revitalized youth programs to building a holistic centre instead of a regular community hall. For INAC purposes this can be considered the “Strengths and Opportunities” for the community.

Main themes: • • • • • •

Working together, resolving disputes, getting along Improving access to education and success in education Creating more meaningful jobs for members Listening to each other and communicating more, more mutual respect Have more active programs with youth and teenagers, as well as parents and elders. More/ better housing was also a theme at some meetings.

Here’s what people had to say: “Dysfunction in the community has to stop - going to have to stand up to it together, and then it will get better” “As community need to help each other regardless of last name.” “Teach everyone to live off the land.” “Would like to have a meeting of all the elders in the community.” “We need to all work together.” “Would like to learn more about our culture - would like to learn the language.” “More respect - between youth, elders, everyone.” “Have to keep building from the past, we don’t need to recreate the wheel every time.”

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Here’s what people had to say: “Would like to see more grads leave home, go and learn, and then come back.” “Respect others opinions, encourage people to voice their opinions.” “Would like to see more people out there helping.” “Bringing connection back to families and community members.” “More communication between each other brings more confidence.” “Healing/ detox/ cultural centre, safe home, somewhere to go, all one building, always someone there.” “Some form of a mentorship program.” “Daycare, childcare - need childcare facility - safe, comfortable place for children.” “Story of village is not visible, bring poles to completion and back to GV? Don’t know if it is possible. Needs to be some sort of history in a pole.” “Housing - not enough of it. Am living in 2 bedroom modular home with 2 boys, it is stuffed, just too small.” “All the younger generations should learn how to speak our language.” “Have good soil - next generation should learn how to garden and grow their food.” “Housing - people from out of town who want to move back, not enough for them.” “Hall that is not just a box - kitchen, bleachers, don’t just settle for a box. Need to have facilities for kids and people to sit and watch, hope to get a good gym.” “Have all the parents and children working together.” “Send people away to just learn one section of a trade - for example hot or cold cooking instead of whole program/ ticket/ degree all at once.”

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Here’s what people had to say: “Encourage people to leave, get job, education, get off of social assistance.” “People need to learn to make use of what is here - for example tourism.” “Keep bringing back gardening, expand the garden program, grow more vegetables.” “Have better water system down here - better infrastructure to help with businesses.” “Keep the youth busy - busy with work.” “A united village. In order to get all of this that is what we need.” “More choices for recreational activities - sports and hiking and outdoors.” “More culture.” “Chances to travel.” “No treaty - no loss of our status, title and rights.” “Give the youth chances to make change.” “Need healing, people need to really deal with their issues.” “Continue to support kids in education, including trades.” “Find healthy habits/ things to do, example of beading, drum making.” “Focus on education - everyone has a gift - need to find what they do and get funding/ support.” “Go out into the world, steal the knowledge and then come back and help the people.” “Long term care housing for people with chronic illnesses.” “A youth drop in that the community can call their own - don’t want to fight over hall space.” “Opportunity for internet/ computer business, internet café.”

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Here’s what people had to say: “Youth council - have own meetings, say what they want, they are our youth and next generation of leaders.” “Best to find out what kids are good at right away - some are good with their hands - and support them.” “More sports and activity - used to have good hockey and baseball - would like to bring that back.” “Can teach anything at the community hall - a good venue - can have storytelling, cultural activities.” “Work on self esteem, encourage youth to keep doing the good things.” “Spend more time with kids, get them away from just TV/ video games.” “More activities for younger and older teens, keeping them busy.” “More respect for elders, one another, we were taught to respect elders at all times.” “Have to set an example to the young kids. They do what they see, how the elders act is how they will act. Not be aggressive in their nature.” “Youth are the future - they will need to replace current band office staff for example. “More people working/ jobs.” “Happier community.” “Less negativity.” “More motivation.” “Not being poorest town anymore.”

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Wordles Wordles are randomly generated word maps. The larger the word is, the more often it was mentioned. The smaller the word, the less often it was mentioned. You can create your own wordles at www.wordle.net.

Wordle from the Surveys:

Wordle from the Community Meetings:

ÂŠ 2010 CopperMoon Communications :: ph/fx 877 475 0754 :: www.coppermoon.ca

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SWOT Analyses for the Administrative Office Sik-e-dakh administration was included in the community vision survey, and had their say. As with the overall results, the administration largely shared the same views as the rest of the membership. If this common view can be communicated, it will provide a strong starting point for building more unity and trust. Sik-e-dakh staff share the same top values (children and families), as well as the same top goals (a new hall, more jobs) as their members. Staff have a very positive outlook, with “we can overcome anything” as their third listed strength! You can view the results of the survey from staff members by clicking here.

Weaknesses and Threats (Admin): 1. 2. 3. 4.

Lack of jobs and employment Loss of language and culture Lack of education and training (tie) Lack of communication and understanding (tie)

“Weakness - chief & council don't know their roles and responsibilities... and there seems to be a trust issue weakness - seemly no trust from the members with regard to staff threats - limited budget - glen vowell budget is based on a per capita basis... we have to do as much with much less money than other larger communities.” - Sik-e-Dakh Staff “- No cultural programs - Drugs and alcohol - No hall - We have lots of talented people but no involvement - More parent involvement and communication.” - Sik-e-Dakh Staff “Weakness - family feuds.” - Sik-e-Dakh Staff “We have to monitor fundraisers, they have to be held accountable if they use our communities name to raise money, there is too much embezzlement. When a community member does wrong and harms another member they have to be held accountable. We should hold circles of responsibility where everyone involved gets to state their feelings.” - Sik-e-Dakh Staff “Lack of education - leading to drugs/alcohol abuse. Need more cultural activities.” - Sik-e-Dakh Staff “Well for one thing, there shouldn't be family working in the band and picking their own family to work in our community... there are to many drug dealers out there, our kids are more interested in drugs than sports or other activities...” - Sik-e-Dakh Staff © 2010 CopperMoon Communications :: ph/fx 877 475 0754 :: www.coppermoon.ca

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Strengths and Opportunities (Admin): 1. We live in a beautiful place 2. We have beautiful children 3. We can overcome anything “I think that our community is a beautiful community and I am very proud to live and work here. There are so many BIG dreams and hopes for our little village I want to see them made real for our children. We need to all work together to make that happen.” - Sik-e-Dakh Staff “Strength - Chief & Council do really want to do what is in the best interest of the community. Strength - community members do try to join in the community events opportunities - we have the best soil in the country - need to capitalize on the garden business.” - Sik-e-Dakh Staff “I think this community has the potential to make things better for the future generations..I think that we all can work together and and make positive changes so that the future generations can follow by our example and not follow what they have seen with the abuse of drugs and alcohol and hope that they can see that there is more to life then what they see in our small community.” - Sik-e-Dakh Staff “+ health, sustainable and working together is needed.” - Sik-e-Dakh Staff

Analysis (Admin): The issues in the band office are a reflection on what is happening in the community. In some cases there is a lack of trust. Family conflicts divide some staff and leave some people feeling isolated. Staff are concerned about community problems, like lack of jobs and drug and alcohol abuse. There is a lot of hope and positive outlook in the results. Administration can see the benefits of working out disputes and working together. They love their children and the beauty that is the territory. They want to see a happier, healthier future for them and their children, and overall they feel optimistic about the future. As one young staff member put it: “The healing part [is most important], I don’t think anyone grows up dreaming about becoming an alcoholic, a drug addict, or being miserable and poor... I think this project is awesome and if everyone pulls together it will be a great first step for future generations.” You can watch and listen to community members on the project YouTube page. © 2010 CopperMoon Communications :: ph/fx 877 475 0754 :: www.coppermoon.ca

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Consensus-Based Vision and Mission The real value in creating vision and mission statements is the process. The vision statement is the bigger picture and future oriented, while the mission statement is more immediately focused on the present. It is the vision that defines the goals, while the mission is the plan that will get you there. It would’ve been premature to create vision and mission statements and present them to the community in the project. Instead, we spent a lot of time listening to the community. Now we can propose some statements based on what we heard and present them to the community for feedback and consensus.

Suggested Vision Statements • •

An educated, safe, and healthy community for today and future generations. Safe, healthy, educated and employed people living in a sustainable community.

Suggested Mission Statements • •

A commitment to healing, working out our differences, communicating often, and supporting our children for a happy, healthy future community. We will seek to listen before we speak, lift people up with encouragement, and work with one heart to better today and the future.

The Final Steps It is best to put the vision and mission statements in your own words, and to allow for feedback and adjustments. It is very important to show members that their feedback is drawn directly from the results of the community vision project, which was well regarded and supported by members. Once people understand that the statements are drawn directly from the results, consensus will be easy to achieve and members will feel a sense of ownership in them.

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General Recommendations Based on the results we have compiled a partial list of recommendations, intended to fuel discussions and community planning.

Recommendation

Priority

Improve open, transparent, 2-way communication with the community using modern tools such as Facebook and a website, as well as print. Consider investing in a phone notification system, so notices can be sent by phone to each household. Post updates on anything important.

High

Resolve disputes in the community. Conflicts will continue to slow projects down and eat up resources until they are resolved. Foster mutual respect and understanding.

High

Involve youth in decision making in the community. Consider youth groups and more surveys to hear from youth who wouldn’t otherwise have their voice heard. A youth council was suggested, and could be in charge of some updates and reviewing feedback from youth and bringing it to council.

Medium

Involve the community in Hall fundraising, perhaps setting up a Facebook page or mini-website to post updates and progress. Involve community in the planning and design. Report back regularly and often so members feel involved, happier, and see definite progress.

Medium

Continue to ask members questions and gather feedback. Embed the forms in your website. A simple way would be to use Wufoo.com forms to ask weekly or monthly questions like “How would you design our hall?” or “What should our next community project be?”

Low

Do an annual survey of members similar to the one for this project, so that changes and improvements can be witnessed on a year to year basis.

Low

Celebrate your success stories. Any time there is something to celebrate post it to the website, facebook, and newsletter.

Medium

Encourage positive community sporting activities. Place high standards on community groups and activities. Foster positive role models for children to look up to.

Medium

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Yearly Planning The following table is intended solely as a starting point for community yearly planning, and is based on community goals from this project.

1-2 Year Ideas, Goals, and Projects Encourage more youth input through a youth council, and/ or youth meetings and surveys. Create seasonal jobs and communicate the success back to the community. Expand community garden project. Celebrate education successes. Have more community vision meetings with elders, staff, chief and council, and other members. Create a community dispute resolution and healing strategy to start addressing underlying conflicts and struggles that hold members back from accomplishing their goals and vision.

2-5 Year Ideas, Goals, and Projects Create regular, full time employment in the community through economic development projects. Start a community education program, one that identifies and supports childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gifts in a supportive environment and includes culture and community (Stsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ailes is a good case study).

5-10 Year Ideas, Goals, and Projects Safe and healthy community. With good yearly tracking and lots of positive steps forward, the community will be measurably safer and healthier. Communicate successes and celebrate. Build a community hall - ensure that members know that large capital projects like this typically take 2-5 years to complete, from securing funding to planning, to building. If funding is still a ways off, this should be a 5-10 year goal.

ÂŠ 2010 CopperMoon Communications :: ph/fx 877 475 0754 :: www.coppermoon.ca

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Summary The community vision project was a great success, partly due to good communication across all mediums, and mostly due to the enthusiastic participation of many community members. There is a very strong foundation of similar thoughts, ideas, and goals to build on in the coming years. What struck me the most is how similar members are. I witnessed young people use their voice, and I saw parents overcome their differences and agree on the need to respect and support their youth. There is incredible harmony in the community in many ways. The younger and older generations all agree on the same weaknesses, values, and strengths. Everyone agrees that jobs, a safe and healthy community, and a new hall should be the top goals of the community. Based on this common ground, it will be easy to create a short, medium, and long term plan for the community. I strongly encourage you to continue regular communication using online tools such as Facebook and direct e-mail. It was an absolute pleasure working for your community. Thank you very much for this opportunity, and I wish you the best with your community planning and communication! Warm Regards,

Jacob Beaton

ÂŠ 2010 CopperMoon Communications :: ph/fx 877 475 0754 :: www.coppermoon.ca

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ÂŠ 2010 CopperMoon Communications :: ph/fx 877 475 0754 :: www.coppermoon.ca

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