Holistic approach toward future turns community to bright present

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"Empowerment" is more than a 90's buzz-word to the northern British Columbia community of the Lheit'Lit'en Nation. It is a way of taking charge, moving ahead - and claiming the future through education and resource management.

As Chief Peter Quaw says, "If you plan, you will succeed!"

Six years ago, this community of 210 was experiencing severe economic problems. People were unemployed.

They lacked the skills for new jobs. They were losing hope, and the whole community was suffering.

But, following a study to determine community needs, they were also convinced that there was still time to turn things around - if they worked together and planned for the future.

The study revealed that the community was not facing a single problem that could be fixed through a single, cure-all solution.

They needed a holistic approach to address a range of issues that were critical to the community's future, especially education and resource management.

They developed an action plan for the community, that included back-to-school programs to encourage all types of job training. For example seven students are attending a university, studying in disciplines such as biology and forestry.

These students will return to the community and work with others there to blend the traditional ways of their people with the latest knowledge and technology in resource management.

This expertise will be coupled with the business opportunities emerging such as a salmon stock enhancement initiative and resource management consulting.

At the same time, the nation of the Lheit'Lit'en has asserted its sovereignty over its traditional lands of approximately one million acres.

The community is working towards co-management of these lands along with the provincial and federal governments.

This approach means, in part, that the environment is treated with respect. When logging takes place, for example, there is an assessment to make sure that the forest is dealt with ethically, keeping in mind that what one person does, affects everyone else.