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  • AGA Update: Industry Engagement and Success Story

    By Donald Sam,
    Interim Sector Director (Senior Manager)

    With files from Marion Eunson,
    Industry Engagement Officer

    This has definitely been an interesting year to reflect upon.

    The global Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) continued to challenge everyone in advancing our steps in bringing collaborative conversations together and finding ways to getting ideas pop from the screens and into real life.

    The internal KNC Director re-assignment was a bit of a curve to navigate at the start, back in September; our team was challenged to identify if/how the work we are involved in affects the quality of life for the Ktunaxa Citizens.

    Communication and meaningful engagement are two areas I feel have been hardest hit (due to COVID-19) this past year; much of the work I am involved in are sharing ideas, getting your feedback and better ideas and bringing your messages back to the industries and organizations I work with.

    INTERNAL STRATEGIC PLANNING

    Much of the work I am involved in supports internal strategic planning – involving many of the sector teams within the Ktunaxa Nation Council.

    I also connect with many of the industries active within ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa who are involved in the Ktunaxa economy.

    What this looks like:

    Internal and external networking, collaborating and helping chart pathways to understand what we/they do; respectfully creating space and processes to have difficult conversations and find ways for decision-making, resolutions and solutions.

    Linking & leveraging people and opportunities: Big or small, one or many; with & within the Ktunaxa Nation Council (inter-sectoral); with & within the Ktunaxa communities and with & within external partners.

    Support Ktunaxa Citizens, communities and organizations in finding ways to help develop and expand Ktunaxa presence, influence, participation and at the decision-making table within the region, communities and beyond.

    Eight external industry engagements include:

    1. BC Hydro
    2. Canfor
    3. Columbia Power Corporation
    4. Fortis BC
    5. Ministry Transportation Infrastructure (MOTI)
    6. Paper Excellence
    7. TC Energy (TransCanada)
    8. Teck Resources

    Let’s look at one example of how we work together to increase Ktunaxa presence & participation within the Ktunaxa economy:

    - > ProActive Safety and First Aid

    Frontline action: TC Energy, Fortis BC and Teck have all played a role in creating space (within & around their projects TCE: Westpath; Fortis BC: IGU; Teck: Castle) and building capacity (process knowledge & networks) of a Ktunaxa entrepreneur who is now operating a successful Ktunaxa business!

    Behind the scenes: Industry, KNC and Citizen Engagement; research and business planning; KNC Economic Sector program resources, KABDA, Ktunaxa Ready, on-going business development support; Nupqu and KNC Education & Employment teams have also played roles as have many others – including family and friends!

    This example can be interpreted as positively affecting the quality of life for one Ktunaxa family.

    Are you aware of other examples?

    There are many more... and we will keep moving ahead to create space and build capacity toward a robust Ktunaxa economy.