Check out Northern Development’s May edition of the Building a Stronger North newsletter.
Authored and researched by yours truly, this month includes stories on the strength of the nonprofit industry in northern British Columbia and profiles the work of Wells, B.C., a community investing in an arts-based approach to economic development.
Read the full newsletter at northerndevelopment.bc.ca!
Read my Ashoka Changemakers BC Ideas blog, “Haida Gwaii, Community of Creativity” @ bcideas.ca
Photo: Jags Beanstalk
What’s news for Haida Gwaii is news for Project Gwaii! In response to the recent geoengineering controversy on Haida Gwaii, representatives from Project Gwaii covered the recent press conference held October 19th at the Vancouver Aquarium. To inform Haida Gwaii residents about this project, full audio and partial video are available for public viewing.
r-l. Victoria Grosse (Masset), Patrick Shannon (Skidegate), Clarence Abrahams (Old Massett), April Dutheil (Tlell)
Part 7 of the “Made on Haida Gwaii” Series
July 17, 2012
By April Diamond Dutheil
The Made on Haida Gwaii series tells the stories of fifty talented young people who call Haida Gwaii home. In this vast country, our major urban centres tend to soak up most of the attention. This collection of success stories, about young people living on these beautiful but remote islands off the Pacific coast, aims to disrupt the dominant myths of what it means to grow up in Canada’s North.
Old Massett, British Columbia- Amy Edgars shows off her argillite carvings outside the Ground Gallery and Coffee House. Photo credit: Evil Patrick Shannon.
Surrounded by Old Massett’s argillite carving community, Amy Edgars began carving at the age of eight. After early aspirations for a career in nursing, Amy was inspired by her father, Myles Edgards Sr., to pursue the ancient art of argillite carving, taking up the craft full-time at the age of 16.
“I saw my dad and them carving every day, so I thought I better sit down and try it out,” says Amy. “I’ve loved it ever since, even though my first pieces weren’t the best.”
Visitors from around the globe have purchased Amy’s work. She recounts an especially memorable moment when visitors from Holland purchased her first carvings. ”My second and third carvings went to Holland,” she shares. “I didn’t even have my own carving desk at the time. It took me weeks to finish those two pendants,” she says. ”I didn’t even know how much to sell them for,” Amy jokes.
This was a transformative moment in Amy’s early artistic career and continues to reinforce the value of her work. “I was pretty excited. It kept me going and made me realize that people actually want to see my work,” she says.
Amy is one of few Haida women argillite carvers. “I wonder why there aren’t more female argillite carvers,” she asks. “Maybe girls don’t want to get dirty. It’s a dirty job,” she adds.
But being a woman has never stopped Amy, now 24. With a true appreciation for what she’s carving, Amy partakes in the tradition of journeying to the only source of this kind of argillite in the world — a secluded mountaintop in Haida Gwaii.
“It’s hard work to get the argillite,” she says, “It’s tough. It’s usually five of us — me, my two younger brothers and a couple other guys.” Beginning at four in the morning, this journey requires multiple modes of transportation across varying landscapes, including driving over land, boating across water, hiking up a mountain and selecting argillite pieces. And then there’s the hard part: carefully packing the stone down the mountain. “I always try to carry down a piece that’s too big for me,” she jokes.
“It’s hard work,” says Amy, “but I sure appreciate it after the day is over. I just imagine all of the things that I get to carve.”
Amy explains that she started carving as a way to keep focused. “It was boring growing up in Old Massett,” she says. “That’s why I started to carve, it gave me something to do. There’s not a lot to do here for kids,” she adds.
But Amy demonstrates that if you have the curiosity and creativity, the options for young people from Haida Gwaii are limitless. In fact, Amy has noticed a trend in recent years — young people who are interested in argillite carving are coming to her with questions about how to get started.
Although a self-proclaimed introvert, Amy comes alive when mentoring and teaching carving skills. “I’m a really shy person,” she says. “I wouldn’t even talk in front of a group of people. But when it’s a carving class it’s different. When I’m teaching it’s different.”
Amy has taught carving skills to classes at George M. Dawson Secondary School and at Mount Moresby Adventure camp. Now when younger carvers come to her father’s carving space for advice he directs them to Amy. “He says I’m a better teacher,” she smiles.
With carefully crafted goals for the future, Amy shares her ambition to carve new mediums, including silver, gold and wood. Reflecting on her skill for engaging youth through the arts, Amy adds, “I really enjoy teaching, that is something more that I would like to do more of.”
As for her longer-term goals, Amy says, “I eventually want to open my own shop in Old Massett, probably near my dad’s house.” She adds, with obvious admiration, “The number one reason why I love to carve is because I get to hang-out with my dad every day.”
Age: 24
Location: Old Massett
Advice to young carvers: “Keep at it- even if you get discouraged that your piece isn’t that great, you will get better.”
Source: Haida Gwaii Observer, Rabble.ca, Project Gwaii
Part 7 of the “Made on Haida Gwaii” Series
June 28, 2012
By April Diamond Dutheil
The Made on Haida Gwaii series tells the stories of fifty talented young people who call Haida Gwaii home. In this vast country, our major urban centres tend to soak up most of the attention. This collection of success stories, about young people living on these beautiful but remote islands off the Pacific coast, aims to disrupt the dominant myths of what it means to grow up in Canada’s North.
“I’ve attained some academic success, helped facilitate dialogue on Enbridge’s Northern Gateway proposal - and hopefully some broader environmental concerns. I find my work meaningful and rewarding. And, of course, I’m a proud and devoted Aunt!” answers Valine Crist as she shares some of her greatest achievements.
Skeena River, May 25th, 2012: Valine with 7-month-old nephews, Cohen (left), Asher (right). Photo credit: Sheri Disney.
“This was the best place to grow up,” says Valine Crist, who recently moved home after spending ten years studying, working, and traveling. “It was magnificent to spend weekends berry picking and camping,” she continues, “Nothing can compare to the comforts and securities of Haida Gwaii.”
Earning an undergraduate degree majoring in Psychology and Anthropology from the University of British Columbia-Okanagan, Valine will soon complete a Master’s degree in Anthropology from the University of Victoria.
Capturing the current realities faced by British Columbia’s coastal communities, Valine’s research is timely and cutting-edge. Her thesis examines how communities come together against threats of large-scale development projects.
Passionate about ecological sustainability and motivated to understand how people interact with the environment Valine notes that, “On Haida Gwaii we have a very strong connection to our home- understanding, appreciating and valuing this has influenced my identity and my values,” she says.
Today, Valine works for the Council of Haida Nation as a writer for Haida Laas and has helped to coordinate the Enbridge Joint Review Panel hearings on Haida Gwaii. When asked what are some lessons she’ll take away from the process, Valine says that, “Regardless of who you are or how long you’ve been here, people from Haida Gwaii are very passionate. I’ve also learned just how powerful an alliance of people can be, it’s absolutely inspiring.”
Motivated by her community to make a difference, Valine found outside experiences reinforced her work in environmental justice.
Valine spent time in Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador, exposing her to parallel environmental and development concerns faced by Indigenous peoples worldwide. “I visited communities affected by destructive resource extraction,” she says.
“In the Peruvian highlands, communities are losing access to their local water sources because of Canadian owned mining companies; irresponsible waste management contaminates local agricultural areas; unsustainable logging. They’re the same stories, different parts of the world,” Valine explains.
When asked what drives her towards this work, Valine answers, “Humans continue to over-exploit our environments, we’re exacerbating natural climate cycles and if we don’t act, we place ourselves at risk of facing environmentally catastrophic events. That’s not to say it’s hopeless though,” she asserts.
“Being aware of your ecological impacts—your carbon footprint, your water consumption—these are just some of the ways that you can start making a difference,” says Valine.
But the way in which people create positive environmental change may differ in regards to a number of factors, including ones’ economic, social and geographical realities.
Valine illustrates what differing access to resources may look like in northern rural communities compared to the city. “I use public transit in Victoria,” says Valine, “but on Haida Gwaii I rely much more on my car.” In comparison “it’s easier to recycle and buy ‘eco-friendly’ products in a city, but here at home, eating locally and ethically is easier,” she says.
No matter where you live, there are opportunities to make positive changes.
Imagining Haida Gwaii in fifty years Valine sees renewable energy solutions, strategic water conservation, and environmental stewardship as key to the Islands’ role in increasing self-sufficiency.
“We’re in a very advantageous position to act as responsible stewards and lead by example; we have been doing this and will continue to,” she says.
Age: 27
Location: Masset
Philosophy: With some integrity, ingenuity, and commitment, we can remedy our current environmental state. That’s our obligation to future generations.
Source: Haida Gwaii Observer, Rabble.ca, Project Gwaii
Part 6 of the “Made on Haida Gwaii” Series
June 14, 2012
By April Diamond Dutheil
The Made on Haida Gwaii series tells the stories of fifty talented young people who call Haida Gwaii home. In this vast country, our major urban centres tend to soak up most of the attention. This collection of success stories, about young people living on these beautiful but remote islands off the Pacific coast, aims to disrupt the dominant myths of what it means to grow up in Canada’s North.
Summer 2012, Vancouver, BC- Minutes from her computer science lab, Leigh-Anne Mathieson takes a research break at the University of British Columbia’s treetop walkway.
“Big complex problems don’t scare me anymore, they’re exciting,” tells computer scientist Leigh-Anne Mathieson.
For the past three years Leigh-Anne has been conducting bio-computing research at the University of British Columbia. Her research scope explores the computational difficulty of problems that model the folding of ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules. Although RNA research can have implications for strengthening knowledge of life sciences- including genetics, biology and human health - Leigh-Anne’s research is more theoretical and sets the stage for understanding how RNA functions at its most basic level.
“I was interested in computer science quite early, but I didn’t love the field until I did research,” she admits. Doing research allowed Leigh-Anne to work on complex real-life problems, “a big part of the appeal was that the answers weren’t at the back of the textbook,” she adds.
Recently finishing a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science from the University of British Columbia, Leigh-Anne has presented at numerous North American conferences, received research grants from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and is a contributor to academic publications (the first in 2010, with a second on its way). Among 350 applicants, Leigh-Anne was also selected as one of 36 students who will take part in a computational biology research project this summer at Oxford University.
A competent problem solver, Leigh-Anne is aware of the social forces dictating the direction and limitation of the computer science field. A relatively new area of study, women, first nations and those from rural communities are largely under-represented (in some cases absent) from the computer sciences. As a young Haida woman from rural Canada Leigh-Anne is disrupting her industry’s status quo in the best possible ways - contributing a refreshing message that she belongs in the computer sciences
“I love computer science,” she says, “but I do think that within [computer science] if you have the same people from the same backgrounds it’s going to be difficult to get ground-breaking results.” The solution? “Computer science needs people from rural communities,” she says, “people raised in rural communities have unique perspectives - if we don’t start to support these different experiences we won’t be able to move forward in the field.” Leigh-Anne responds similarly when asked about the role of women in computer science, “we can’t afford not to have more women involved,” she says.
Calling for diverse viewpoints to be included in all industries, Leigh-Anne remarks, “I find it scary to think that this same group of people, at all levels, are the ones who are predominantly shaping our world.”
Leigh-Anne knew from an early age that she wanted to do something in science and engineering. She came to this conclusion while attending grade eight at George M. Dawson high school. Knowing where her passion was, Leigh-Anne left home to complete her grade 11 and 12 science courses, “moving to Vancouver was a big adjustment for me,” she says.
Being from Haida Gwaii “will always have a huge influence in my life,” says Leigh-Anne, “because I was raised on Haida Gwaii I got the unique and rare opportunity to be raised by the whole community.” Familiar with the benefits of belonging to a community, Leigh-Anne strives to foster a similar sense of community, regardless of where she may be in the world.
Growing up on Haida Gwaii has helped Leigh-Anne understand the importance of finding a work-life balance, “as soon as I left home I was struck by how people in the cities were doing so many things at once and always rushing around- it was hard to tell what was important to them.” Influenced by the realities of her homeland, Leigh-Anne shares that it may be more valuable to “think realistically, slow down and decide what is most important so that you can do those things very well.”
After Oxford, Leigh-Anne’s next move includes finding work in the computer sciences, then pursuing a master’s degree when the time is right. Leigh-Anne’s long term vision is to support young students from rural communities who are considering a career in science or technology, “in rural communities it’s harder to grow to love the sciences, the opportunities aren’t there,” she says.
How can young people from our communities love science? How can they get the skills to pursue a science and technology career- instead of playing catch up with students who have access to more resources? These are all questions that Leigh-Anne wants answers to. Serving as an inspiration for many northerners, she provides us with a valuable message. A career in science and technology is possible for rural youth – but for their aspirations to flourish they deserve appropriate programming and support.
Age: 22
Current location: London, England
Philosophy: Make changes you intend to keep for the rest of your life.
Source: Haida Gwaii Observer, Rabble.ca, Project Gwaii
“Made on Haida Gwaii” Series, Part 5
May 17, 2012
By April Diamond Dutheil
The Made on Haida Gwaii series tells the stories of fifty talented young people who call Haida Gwaii home. In this vast country, our major urban centres tend to soak up most of the attention. This collection of success stories, about young people living on these beautiful but remote islands off the Pacific coast, aims to disrupt the dominant myths of what it means to grow up in Canada’s North.
July 27/2011, Mekelle, Northern Ethiopia - Alison Fraser with women from the Healing Hands of Joy Center. Photo credit: Lulseged Beyene.
“It just shapes who I am,” reveals Alison Fraser when discussing what it means to be from Haida Gwaii, “when you live there you see the world in a different way,” she says.
Fortunate to work with communities from around the world, including Kenya, Guatemala, Mexico, Ethiopia, and most recently inner city New York – Alison stays true to her roots, “everywhere I go I tell people about the magic of these small islands,” she says.
With a passion and talent for social development, Alison has made a difference early in her career. She has worked in international refugee camps, with youth from Vancouver’s downtown eastside and with women in trauma and conflict situations.
A first-hand witness to how aid is distributed in refugee communities, Alison is critical of how traditional aid relief often leaves the recipient with limited agency or voice, “How do you provide restoration? What is it like to empower someone?” she asks. Alison wants to see the narrative of dependency change in these communities, “I don’t have all of the answers, but I can contribute and learn,” she says.
One way Alison has been contributing is through her work with Healing Hands of Joy, an organization that supports Ethiopian women with childbirth injuries. Identifying a need for this work to continue she would eventually like to set up a similar program to support mothers from refugee camps throughout the globe.
For the past three years Alison has been working as a teacher through Teach for America in New York City. Named one of Fortune’s magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For, Teach for America works with recent university graduates to provide high levels of education in under-resourced urban and rural public schools.
Alison is currently teaching math to third grade students at an Achievement First Charter School in East New York, Brooklyn. “I never though I’d be teaching math,” she jokes. Discovering a talent for transforming math education, Alison is helping to support math classes from across the Achievement First network by writing and giving feedback on math plans and lessons.. “The kids are my cause,” she says, noting her classes’ latest exam averages ranged from 93-95%.
Declining her acceptance into law school for the fall, “I decided to continue teaching,” she says. Passionate and invested in her work, “I’ve grown so much,” says Alison, “but it has been hard work- I get up at 5am every morning!”
With a Bachelor’s Degree in Honors International Studies from Trinity Western University in Langley, BC and a Master’s Degree in Education from Hunter College in New York City, Alison will spend her summer studying forced migration at Oxford University’s Refugee Studies Centre. “It might seem like I’m doing a lot of random things,” she says, but at the root of her work is a deep commitment to social development.
When asked if she would return to Haida Gwaii Alison says, “Absolutely, I would definitely go back to live there and raise kids- there’s no place in the world like it.” Growing up on Haida Gwaii was an adventure -“these experiences don’t exist in the suburbs,” she says.
Age: 25
Current location: Manhattan, New York
Philosophy: Be respectful of individuals and their experiences.
Source: Haida Gwaii Observer, Rabble.ca
Part 4 of the “Made on Haida Gwaii” Series, Haida Gwaii Observer
May 3, 2012
By April Dutheil
Co-launching his first social enterprise in elementary school- a local bottle recycling venture- Joseph Lavoie is motivated to use business for creating positive social change. A recent double major graduate in Finance and Business Management from the University of Northern British Columbia, Joseph recounts his role as co-founder of Joe’s Bottle Depot as a catalyzing factor in his entrepreneurial journey. Over 15 years later, Joe’s Bottle Depot continues to foster sustainability and cleaner streets on Haida Gwaii.
Recognized as an emerging leader and social change-maker, Joseph was honoured as one of Canada’s Top 20 Under Twenty by Youth in Motion in 2005. A budding entrepreneur, Joseph has worked on a number of non-profit and for-profit ventures including serving as President of Volunteer Prince George, an organization which supports volunteers and the growth of local community service initiatives.
Although some regard formal education as unnecessary for entrepreneurism, Joseph views graduating university as a worthwhile experience, “I think everyone should have the opportunity to attend- it gives you a different perspective on life,” he says. Striving to maintain a balanced lifestyle, Joseph has excelled in varsity and indoor soccer, even playing a memorable game against the Vancouver Whitecaps!
“I was lucky to grow up in an environment where individuals could really shine- I had quite a bit of opportunity to do things that most kids didn’t,” says Joseph when reflecting on his Haida Gwaii upbringing. “I was pretty blessed to be sheltered from the mainstream negativity of the outside world,” he says. Although many individuals from the islands have excelled, Joseph points out what was missing for youth, “I would’ve liked more opportunities for youth leadership while growing up,” he says.
Joseph acknowledges his father as a central role model and mentor in his life. “With only a grade nine education, my Dad is self-taught in all aspects. When I bring him [business] topics he can explain them to me because he understands,” Joseph says.
Strategy-focused, Joseph is mindful of the tools that young entrepreneurs need to develop, “Building a foundation now will help me to make less mistakes and improve my future work,” he says. To strengthen his toolbox of business skills Joseph works as a Business Advisor for TD Canada Trust, “I see statements from start-ups to large companies and deal with social enterprises to business accounts,” says Joseph.
Although eager to make his way in the entrepreneurial world Joseph says that working as a Business Advisor has offered a valuable glance into corporate life, “It’s been tough because you’re not your own boss- implementing change is a much slower process.”
For Joseph the bigger picture includes getting back into business, “The North has so many different opportunities- eventually I want to get to a point where I’m back in business and investing in innovative and interesting things,” he says – noting the importance of environmental and green energy projects. Another future goal, Joseph hopes to become politically engaged, “You never know what role you can come into - I could see myself giving back in a political or board membership role,” he says.
Age: 26
Current location: Fort St. John
Philosophy: Use the money you make to give back to society, that is the real role of a business person.
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/lavoiejoseph
Twitter: @lavoie101
The Made on Haida Gwaii series tells the stories of fifty talented young people who call Haida Gwaii home. In this vast country, our major urban centres tend to soak up most of the attention. This collection of success stories, about young people living on these beautiful but remote islands off the Pacific coast, aims to disrupt the dominant myths of what it means to grow up in Canada’s North.
(Source: J.Lavoie)
Part 3 of the “Made on Haida Gwaii” Series, Haida Gwaii Observer
April 19, 2012
By April Dutheil
Photo credit: Terry Lam
“It’s a whole different world when you become a business owner,” says entrepreneur Norah Holloway, founder of Norah Holloway Interiors. Launched in 2009, the growth of Norah’s design venture is among her greatest accomplishments.
Bringing function and beauty together, Norah offers expertise during each stage of the interior design process. Norah enjoys the opportunities she has had, including providing proposals to landmark projects and working with amazing clients. Also impressive, Norah can draft an entire house plan in under eight hours! Always moving forward, her most recent projects include blogging about design trends and remodeling a Montessori daycare.
Coming into business ownership has been a transformational experience for Norah- both professionally and personally. Developing a new sense of confidence, “I’ve learned how to carry myself differently,” she says.
Reconnecting to the her Haida heritage, Norah first moved to Haida Gwaii in grade five, “I moved around a lot,” says Norah “but the islands felt like home- it was a nice small community and I made a lot of connections to the islands.” Returning to the islands exposed her to “unlimited forms of native art and culture,” she says. Haida Gwaii is where Norah discovered her roots in design.
From a young age Norah realized her interest and talent for design, “When I was younger I was constantly re-arranging furniture and choosing paint colours- I wanted to do it professionally,” she says. Nurturing her talent, Norah enrolled in the two-year Interior Design Program at Vancouver Island University. Regarded as a highly competitive program, Norah was identified as one of the top applicants. A total of 80 entrants applied.
“Not until I was in the field did things make sense,” she says. Straight out of college Norah started working for a design and drafting firm. Although learning a lot, she was unsatisfied, “I wasn’t doing the type of work that I wanted to,” says Norah.
Forced to re-examine her worth, Norah set out to start her own firm. “It’s important to know your personal worth,” says Norah “this is part of the reason why I became an entrepreneur.”
Launching her business has not been without it’s challenges, “at the start there was no one who I could ask business questions to,” she says, “there’s often a cost behind getting support, there are hurdles that go along with the first phase of launching.”
Now beyond the start-up phase, Norah continues to strengthen her clientele and the presence of her brand. Interfacing with clients is her favorite part of the job, “I love giving clients options on how to make the most of their home,” says Norah.
Hardwired for growth and personal evolution, Norah envisions growing her venture to include an on-staff design team and a side company, which offers construction services. Clearly enjoying her journey Norah is confident with where she’s going, “there are endless possibilities of where you can put your talent- interior design is a very in-depth industry,” she says.
Age: 24
Location: Victoria BC
Philosophy: A home is a representation of the lives that people live.
Twitter: @NH_Interiors
Website: www.norahhollowayinteriors.com
The Made on Haida Gwaii series tells the stories of fifty talented young people who call Haida Gwaii home. In this vast country, our major urban centres tend to soak up most of the attention. This collection of success stories, about young people living on these beautiful but remote islands off the Pacific coast, aims to disrupt the dominant myths of what it means to grow up in Canada’s North.
