Mamaweswen, The North Shore Tribal Council

The Need for Planning

Change is a constant and it affects all of us. We can watch the change happen to us and react trying to cope, not getting anywhere of our choosing, or we can choose to be active participants in shaping our own future. This requires having a clear sense of where we want to go as well as a strategy of how to get there.

Overview of the Project

Over the next two years Cities & Environment Unit (CEU) will work with the NSTC and the seven member nations to develop Comprehensive Community Plans. These plans will provide long-term strategic direction for each of the communities, building on existing planning and research. Each Plan will provide both short and long-term direction for action on a host of physical and non-physical issues in the community. These Plans will be developed using a Comprehensive, Community-based and Action Oriented Approach.

Comprehensive: There are many planning activities in First Nations communities. What is often missing is a connection between these initiatives with a long-term perspective. Comprehensive planning considers and connects all aspects of the community. Planning therefore becomes the glue that holds everything together.

Community-based: The Vision, strategies, projects and initiatives that are identified in the Plan are all based on the ideas, values and aspirations of community members. The outcomes of the Plan are widely understood and defended by a broad cross section of community members. This requires significant and ongoing participation in plan development and implementation.

Action-Oriented: The Plan must be seen as a tool to make a difference in the community. Therefore, each Plan will identify bold and simple actions and projects that connect to key priorities in the community and serve as a catalyst for inspiring change in the community. Additional support will be provided to work toward the implementation of the Plans.

Importance of Local Engagement (Community-Specific)

To develop the seven CCPs using a community-based approach, it is vital that each community work with CEU and the Plan Coordinator at NSTC to identify an appropriate strategy for engaging the community. This will require discussions of where to meet, whom to invite, key contacts, integrating Elders and youth, need for focus groups etc. How should we involve staff, council and the community at large? These community-specific strategies will require an understanding of the local community and discussion between the community contact and the project team.

Each community will be provided with some resources to support the planning process. Below are some ways these resources can be used to support the process:

Local part-time Plan Coordinator and Planning Work Group Support

Community Engagement Workshops (5-6 workshops over next 12 months)

PWG members host community workshops (work with Plan Champion + CEU).

Communication:
Mail-outs, newsletters, advertising for workshops and activities.

Planning Network / Collaborative Sessions (2-3 over the next 12 months)

Bring Plan Champion, Community Contacts and PWG members (3-5 people if possible).

Chief + Council are always invited to Network sessions.

To be held several times during the planning process in a central location.

Next Steps

Develop a Planning Work Group in each community.

Promote the planning process in the newsletter, website or local media.

Stages of the Planning Process

1.Gathering background information

2.Identifying strengths and issues

3.Researching root causes

4.Establishing a community vision

5.Building a framework

6.Developing an implementation strategy

7.Monitoring the plan and projects