KSITE’TAQAN ~ SOMETHING CHERISHED (VALUE CREATION)
The success of the EOED project is heavily reliant on its ability to generate value for its participants. Co-designing the March Program together with residents created an opportunity to explore what residents feel is beneficial to their community. This process supported the aim of creating a program that could be cherished by all residents currently living in the community and for the generations to come.
HIGHLIGHTS
The idea that we can change the way that our city looks based on what we build and do together...that’s what stands out for me. We were building benches together... and seeing the confidence build in someone that they can actually build something like that for their community. It was the shared struggle of getting a nail in straight, but we did it together. - Host
RELATIONSHIPS & CONNECTIONS The most reported benefit that residents received from attending the March program was the opportunity to socialize and reconnect with others in the community. Of the 62 participants surveyed, 73% reported that they made a new friend or a new connection in the community from participating in the March Program. While the opportunity to socialize and reconnect with neighbours was the most frequently reported benefit, the need for social connections and activities may have been heightened due to the longevity and restrictive nature of Covid-19. Especially during pandemic time, it has been so fulfilling to make tangible connections with strangers, who are friends now. - Participant
BUILDING SKILLS & CONFIDENCE A direct benefit of participating in the March Program was learning a new skill and/or acquiring new knowledge and 84% of survey participants said that they did just that. In addition, for hosts, having an opportunity to share their skills and knowledge, which highlighted their talents and abilities, gave them a boost in confidence. One participant looked across the room and asked another participant, “Aren’t you my neighbour?” This sparked a conversation which gave neighbours a chance to connect on a deeper level. (Observation)
Actually meeting strangers at the workshop and then through the workshop making connections that I wouldn’t have had otherwise...I feel different than I did before, being in this community, like I have more threads to this (friendship) center and community. - Participant One participant shared that she was a doctor and then an Elder in the group spoke to some work they were doing with the hospital around bringing smudging into the building. The Elder then extended an invitation to discuss Indigenous practices in healing. (Observation)
SHARING ACROSS CULTURES Another major benefit was that it gave an opportunity for residents to share their culture and traditions with others in a safe, respectful, co-learning environment. Cultural sessions were well-received and were the most popular among participants. A number of participants requested that the program offer more sessions with Indigenous content in the future. The March Program provided a great opportunity for sharing cultures and has great potential to further this learning and sharing. - Elder Host
During a cultural session, one host appeared to be proud of the land base knowledge he carried and honoured to share his experiences with others in the group. (Observation)
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One participant, who attended the session with her five-yearold daughter, used the moment to demonstrate the importance of contributing to the community and as an opportunity to teach her valuable life lessons such as embracing diversity and managing stereotypes and prejudice. (Observation)
