I had the privilege to spend yesterday  with an amazing group of Cowichan citizens learning how to tackle complex (wicked)  problems and issues using the Collective Impact model.
 
The workshop was developed by Innoweave and TAMARACK and was hosted by BC Healthy Communities.   There were five tables of us, each working on a different "wicked" problem.

I was with a group I've been part of for the last while, tackling the issue of climate change, adaptation and mitigation and how to assist and protect vulnerable populations.

"Collective Impact enables a group of organizations to address a major challenge by developing and working toward a common agenda that fundamentally changes population level outcomesin a community.  When successful, communities solve big complex challenges (e.g.youth unemployment, low graduation rates, poverty) or make substantial societal shifts (e.g. more sustainable food systems) by creating a shared multi sector understanding of the problem, a common vision and an action plan with shared measurements and reinforcing activities."  Innoweave

I am so often struck by the dedication and commitment of the people of Cowichan to making change for our community.  There were physician's, social workers, ED's and board members of community benefit organizations (aka non-profits) and local government leaders and employees.

Issues groups are tackling include healthy pregnancy and birth outcomes, physical literacy (basically getting kids moving again) mental health and wellness, social housing and the climate issue.

We worked in our small groups and got instructions on next steps to take our issues to the next level.

Key to it all is inclusion and forming relationships.  To that end, don't forget about Walk of the Nations.    
Social Planning along with community partners Cowichan Intercultural Society and Hiiye'yu Lelum - House of Friendship Society  are excited to announce the dates for the 8th  Annual Walk of Nations Saturday, May 30, 2015. Plan your cultural dress, the walk route will be a little shorter this year than last but will end at Centennial Park where we will celebrate over food from the pizza oven and cultural activities and performances.   Forming relationships will help prepare us to solve those 'wicked' problems. 

Today off to  another workshop, put on by Social Planning Cowichan on a social policy framework for the Cowichan Valley.  I feel so blessed to be learning so much more than I ever imagined when I stood for office almost four years ago.

Yesterday,  well over a thousand people held a peaceful protest on the BC Legislature lawn, asking the Ministry of the Environment to protect their rights to live in a healthy environment -- specifically -- the right to have a healthy watershed and clean drinking water.   Unable to attend in person, I was certainly there in spirit and I feel so grateful to live in the Cowichan, a community that stands up for the rights of human beings on so many levels.....  
 
North Cowichan Municipal Council passed the following resolution at its May 6, 2015 Regular Council meeting:

"THAT WHEREAS people are part of the environment, and a healthy environment is inextricably linked to the community wellbeing;

THEREFORE Be it Resolved that Council endorse the following policy:

1. All people have the right to live in a healthy environment, including the right
   
   to breathe clean air, drink clean water, consume safe food, access nature, know about pollutants and contaminants released into the local environment and participate in decision-making that will affect the environment.
   
   
2. The Municipality has the shared responsibility, within its jurisdiction, to protect the right to live in a healthy environment.
   
   

3. When the Municipality evaluates reasonably foreseeable costs of proposed actions and alternatives, it will consider costs to human health and the environment.

4. The Municipality will periodically review this policy in the context of its Official Community Plan." 

When all the trees have been cut down,
when all the animals have been hunted,
when all the waters are polluted,
when all the air is unsafe to breathe,
only then will you discover you cannot eat money.
~ Cree Prophecy ~


Let Environment Minister Mary Polak and  Premier Christy Clark know you want the right to clean water upheld, not only here in Cowichan, but everywhere in BC.  

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