The Future is Born From the Seeds of the Past
o How did your idea or project first come to you?
West Coast Aquatic Management Society (WCA) has been working with leaders from the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council (NTC), business, government, non-profits, and communities to develop and promote the west coast of Vancouver Island. At the Vancouver Island Economic Summit last fall, it was heralded as a leading case study for new approaches to rural development. With strong support from local government and First Nations communities and over 500 individual and business members, the WCA has been leading development of a coastal plan that is due to be released this year. One of the key issues and opportunities that WCA has identified in its extensive consultations, and one of the factors leading to its success, has been identifying and building capacity of young leaders in the region by connecting them with elder leaders.
o Why did you believe your idea or project could/would make a difference?
Traditionally NTC youth were involved in mentorships (haa-huu-paa), but that system was broken by the residential schools. We believe that good leadership is key to making things happen. Part of leadership is passing on the wisdom from those who have been successful to those who will be successful. Mentorships that are created in response to specific community needs and the mutual interests of the mentor and teacher will benefit everyone and are likely to succeed. Many of these needs and experts have been identified and the power of the idea just needs to be unleashed by implementing the mentorship program.
o How did you, or how would you, get other people involved?
Our planning process involved hundreds of interviews and many meetings. Recognizing that something different was needed to engage people in a meaningful way and get results for our oceans, West Coast Aquatic created the Tsawalk Partnership in 2008. ‘Tsawalk’ means one in our local Nuu-chah-nulth language, and serves as our guiding principle: everything is interconnected, everything is sacred; we must treat each other and the world around us with respect. Through the Tsawalk Partnership, communities, governments, and industry work together to find opportunities within challenges and to transform the way things are done. We offer a forum where people can identify solutions and implement them. We conduct scientific research, spearhead education campaigns, facilitate business partnerships, and oversee protection and rehabilitation projects. This project will continue that collaborative approach.
o What tells you that your idea or project is making a difference or will make a difference?
From Treaty implementation to new businesses, there are remarkable opportunities in the area. It will take young people and new approaches to initiate and develop them, especially with the baby-boomer generation retiring or approaching retirement. Yet while some short-term training programs exist, there are no opportunities for the kind of longer term mentoring needed to help new leaders fulfill their potential. Young people often feel isolated and overwhelmed, especially when trying to establish partnerships or make agreements with larger corporations, governments, or groups from outside the area who have tremendous experience, exposure, and resources. Experienced people can often feel that their knowledge and wisdom gets undervalued when they retire or as they age. Many elders want to create a living legacy, and realize that the best way to do so is through knowledge transfer and mentorship.
About You
About You
First Name
Patrick
Last Name
Walshe
Confirm a user name that will be displayed publicly to identify your entry
Patrick Walshe
About You, Your Group, or Your Organization
Name
West Coast Aquatic Management Society
Country
Canada
Please confirm that this project could benefit First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples
Yes
Twitter URL
https://twitter.com/#!/TsawalkPartners
What categories best describe who your group or organization serves (check all that apply)
First Nations people, Métis people, Other.
What best describes your group or organization
Non-profit organization.
How long have you, your group, or your organization been operating?
More than 5 years
Innovation
Name Your Entry
The Future is Born From the Seeds of the Past
Tell us the story of your idea or project
o How did your idea or project first come to you?
West Coast Aquatic Management Society (WCA) has been working with leaders from the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council (NTC), business, government, non-profits, and communities to develop and promote the west coast of Vancouver Island. At the Vancouver Island Economic Summit last fall, it was heralded as a leading case study for new approaches to rural development. With strong support from local government and First Nations communities and over 500 individual and business members, the WCA has been leading development of a coastal plan that is due to be released this year. One of the key issues and opportunities that WCA has identified in its extensive consultations, and one of the factors leading to its success, has been identifying and building capacity of young leaders in the region by connecting them with elder leaders.
o Why did you believe your idea or project could/would make a difference?
Traditionally NTC youth were involved in mentorships (haa-huu-paa), but that system was broken by the residential schools. We believe that good leadership is key to making things happen. Part of leadership is passing on the wisdom from those who have been successful to those who will be successful. Mentorships that are created in response to specific community needs and the mutual interests of the mentor and teacher will benefit everyone and are likely to succeed. Many of these needs and experts have been identified and the power of the idea just needs to be unleashed by implementing the mentorship program.
o How did you, or how would you, get other people involved?
Our planning process involved hundreds of interviews and many meetings. Recognizing that something different was needed to engage people in a meaningful way and get results for our oceans, West Coast Aquatic created the Tsawalk Partnership in 2008. ‘Tsawalk’ means one in our local Nuu-chah-nulth language, and serves as our guiding principle: everything is interconnected, everything is sacred; we must treat each other and the world around us with respect. Through the Tsawalk Partnership, communities, governments, and industry work together to find opportunities within challenges and to transform the way things are done. We offer a forum where people can identify solutions and implement them. We conduct scientific research, spearhead education campaigns, facilitate business partnerships, and oversee protection and rehabilitation projects. This project will continue that collaborative approach.
o What tells you that your idea or project is making a difference or will make a difference?
From Treaty implementation to new businesses, there are remarkable opportunities in the area. It will take young people and new approaches to initiate and develop them, especially with the baby-boomer generation retiring or approaching retirement. Yet while some short-term training programs exist, there are no opportunities for the kind of longer term mentoring needed to help new leaders fulfill their potential. Young people often feel isolated and overwhelmed, especially when trying to establish partnerships or make agreements with larger corporations, governments, or groups from outside the area who have tremendous experience, exposure, and resources. Experienced people can often feel that their knowledge and wisdom gets undervalued when they retire or as they age. Many elders want to create a living legacy, and realize that the best way to do so is through knowledge transfer and mentorship.
Define your idea / project in 1-2 short sentences
We propose an intergenerational leadership project that brings together successful people with young people and an opportunity for elders to mentor youth.
Select the stage that best applies to your solution
Idea
Social Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
Please tell us about the social impact of your idea or proect
Many NTC youth do not graduate from high school and the unemployment rate is up to 80% in some communities. There is often a lack of self-esteem among youth and diverse social problems. With this program, youth will learn from a diversity of outstanding mentors and multiply achievements like theirs. Leaders will inspire others and create social change through their example and skills. By matching interests and identifying needs, this program will fill a vital void in our communities. Youth will discover new purpose in life and their potential will be achieved sooner with these effective capacity building approaches.
Your Future Goal(s): Tell us what you hope to achieve with your idea or project in the next year
WCA will identify 10 willing mentors in a variety of critical fields and match them in a program with at least 10 youth with si
In 5 years, what will be different as a result of your idea/project?
In 5 years there will be 50 youth whose skills and abilities have been significantly enhanced through mentoring. They will move into leadership roles in the community, inspiring others and spreading their knowledge and learnings. They will be connected to each other and the mentors through the Seeds of the Past program, forming a community of movers and shakers with the skills and influence to bring about significant changes.
Sustainability
Tell us about the people/ partnerships that are already involved and why they are important to your idea or project.
WCA is an exciting team of leaders from business, First Nations, government, non-profits, universities, and communities who came together for one reason: to improve the health and wealth of our oceans. Recognizing that something different was needed to engage people in a meaningful way and get results, West Coast Aquatic created the Tsawalk Partnership in 2008. ‘Tsawalk’ means one in our local NTC language, and serves as our guiding principle: everything is interconnected, everything is sacred. We work to identify solutions and implement them. For example, we spearhead education campaigns and facilitate business partnerships.
If there are other people/partners that you will reach out to tell us who they are and why they will be important to your idea or project.
The NTC Education Training Program provides career development and training support to youth and would be a key partner in assisting with the selection and matching of participants. The Nashuk Youth Council is already doing some great work to empower youth and would be an important part of this program. Other partners include the Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation, School District 71, Wood School, VAST Alternate School, North Island College, chambers of commerce, and the Bamfield Marine Science Center. Contact with the Shorefast Foundation in Newfoundland will help us learn from their similar efforts. Indian and Northern Affairs and the BC Capacity Building Initiative would be important funding partners.
Describe the kinds of support you receive (other than money) or will need to support your idea or project (e.g.: donated, space, equipment and volunteers)
The above organizations will provide advice in planning and implementing the program. The local organizations will help carry out the plans. They will help recruit and match participants.
Do you currently have funding for your idea or project?
No (skip next two questions)
 | 17 weeks agoPatrick Walshe updated this Competition Entry. |
| 18 weeks agoPatrick Walshe submitted this idea. |
