“If you are successful, we are successful!”

That was the message Stz’uminus First Nation chief and councillors heard at a strategic planning workshop that was coordinated by Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council in July.

Before the workshop, governance advisor Valerie Cross-Blackett, community planning advisor Bronwen  Geddes and housing advisor Eric Blueschke worked closely with senior staff from Stz’uminus to develop a planning approach. Then they rolled up their sleeves for two days with the nation’s leaders to talk about the draft strategic plan and to develop a timeline for action.

The main questions for Stz’uminus leaders: What is our preferred future? And what steps can we take to get there?

They got a lot of answers through discussions on things such as community wellness, culture, economic development, housing and education.

Stz’uminus nation is becoming an economic driver in the Ladysmith area with major developments underway along the Trans Canada Highway. The school system offers top-notch facilities for all ages, from nursery and daycare to the community schools. And there is a resurgence in speakers of the Hul’qumi’num language.

Councillors took a look at those positive things as they discussed a ‘holistic’ vision for the nation of the future. Goals included:

• People united, working together – naut’sa mawt
• Members able to live in safe and adequate, healthy housing
• Community able to accept and embrace change
• Self-reliance by building own homes, managing own affairs
• All generations speak Hul’qumi’num fluently
• Work to present, preserve, and showcase culture internally and externally
•  Using natural resources wisely, to their fullest
• Children are educated – none left behind
• Lands hold real value