GN Community Needs & The GN Trust: How Far Have We Come?

In 2003 a letter was written by Edward Suderman outlining "upgrades that if implemented would meet badly needed community needs and would finally suggest that 'we are all here to stay'..." The needs were listed as follows:

  1. Computer lab, equipment and cost of instructors --> In 2010 a computer lab was put into place, although we don't have a full-time instructor (used INAC funds, not Trust funds)
  2. 12 gillnet boats --> Didn't get fishing boats, but we did get the Stewardship boat last year (Grant funds, not Trust funds)
  3. 'A' Licence North
  4. 'A' Licence South
  5. Halibut quota
  6. Herring gillnet licenses
  7. Net & gear storage facility
  8. Boat & prawn licence
  9. Repairs to sea wall
  10. Breakwater and floats
  11. Daycare centre
  12. Youth centre
  13. 60 new houses
  14. Upgrades to 110 existing houses
  15. 1 retreat house at each of the 2 traditional villlage sites
  16. Upgrade village streets and sidewalks
  17. Landscaping for all houses
  18. Elders' housing complex
  19. Health clinic --> This was completed using non-Trust funds
  20. Playground
  21. Counselling & rehabilitation centre, specialists' cost
  22. Employment training facility and staff (long term)
  23. Meeting house --> The elders' centre partially meets this need, funded through a New Horizons for Seniors Grant, not Trust funds.
  24. Cultural long house
  25. Cultural training - language instruction (long term)
  26. New band office --> renovations were completed with INAC funds, not Trust funds.
  27. Upgrade hall facility
  28. Fire hall
  29. Gas station/small convenience store
  30. Cemetery
It was intended that the Trust would be used for these and other similar projects, that would meet the long-term needs of the community. Do you feel like this has happened and is happening? Do you still agree that these are the major community needs? 

It is good that we have made progress in some of these areas, like the computer lab, boat, renovations etc. Let's keep positive change going!

- Jessie Hemphill
Gwa'sala-'Nakwaxda'xw Nations
Executive Assistant & Communications
jessieh@gwanakplan.org
Phone: (250) 949-8343
Fax: (250) 949-7402