See YOU at 11:30 AM today!

Community Members Meeting Minutes - Draft

Date: September 26, 2022	Time: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm	Location: Zoom
Chair: Shannon Thom (standing in)	Minutes: Bree Odd

Present: Shannon Thom, Bree Odd, Carla Bullinger, Brianna van de Wijngaard, Sherry Yonkman, Marnie Brenner, Eva Navrot, Barb Jones, Krista Harvey, Kylie Green, Laurie Walters, Leah Selk, Marvene Layte, Pat Biblow, Rosanna McGregor, Rev. Nancy Colton, Steph Huska, Jill Zirnhelt, Eileen Alberton, Michael James Moses, Blair Cunningham (guest speaker)

Regrets: Tammy Levesque-Holyk, Ordel Steen

Land Acknowledgement:
The Social Planning Council of Williams Lake and Area would like to acknowledge this meeting is taking place on the traditional unceded territory of the Secwepemc Nation and the T’exelc people.

Review & Approve Agenda for September 26, 2022 Motion 1 Marvene Layte, Motion 2 Laurie Walters, Carried

Review & Approve Minutes for July 25, 2022 Motion 1 Laurie Walters, Motion 2 Krista Harvey, Carried

Member Introductions: Shared their names and the organizations they represent

Discussions: Rosanna, there are Orange Shirt Day shirts available at the Cariboo Friendship Society gift store. Rosanna provided some clarity on the pronunciations of Secwépemc and T’exelc.

Carla's question is, is Bridge to Care still happening? Jill answered it is no longer available, the model was not working. Referrals are no longer accepted and services will wrap up mid-Dec. We sent a letter to partners recently see a copy of the letter HERE. There are still many resources available through Allied health. Please share Resources available and Virtual Services.

Lightning Round Organizational Updates: Remember you only have 2 minutes :)

Bree Odd – Social Planning Council (SPC) & BC Schizophrenia Society (BCSS): SPC membership invoices will be going out shortly. If someone would like to become a member please connect with Bree at info@wlspc.ca The SPC AGM will be on November 28 Continue to share community updates via Facebook and newsletters, please provide picture format updates for social media posts. For BCSS the Strengthening Families Together, a six-week education program for families supporting/caring for a loved one with serious mental illness will run Thursday nights from Oct 6 – Nov 10 from 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm. Families learn about the Mental Health Act, self-care, communication, diagnosis processes, the criminal justice system, etc. If you know families who may be interested, have them contact Bree at cariboo@bcss.org

Barb Jones – Communities That Care (CTC): CTC and SD 27 are collaborating on a community-wide professional development day. They have invited Dr. Larry Brendtro to re-introduce the Circle of Courage to our community through his presentation “Respectful Alliances with Youth: Creating Positive Staff and Peer Alliance”. Dr. Brendtro's presentation is in the morning and planning for the afternoon session is in the works.
The Circle of Courage, a model of positive youth development takes a holistic approach to reclaiming youth and is grounded in resilience science. It embodies four core values: The Spirit of Belonging; Mastery; Independence and Generosity. Larry Brendto, Martin Brokenleg, and Steve Van Bockern developed the model. Posters with a registration link will be going out soon. For more info, contact Barb at communitiesthatcare@wlspc.ca

Brianna van de Wijngaard – Central Cariboo Community Food Hub: Picking now that the growing season wrapping up. The food hub, funded by United Way BC, focuses on community-wide unmet food needs. During the summer, we recovered $6000+ worth of food that went to various food banks in the community. Farm Folk, City Folk will provide a large-scale seed-cleaning demo at Soda Creek Sweet Corn farm on October 5^th, if interested contact Brianna at foodhub@wlspc.ca Seed cleaning is the separation of seeds from seed pods and any other non-seed materials.

Carla Bullinger – Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy (CCPL): A special Story Walk for September is in the windows of the library in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. CCPL is looking for volunteer board members.

Eva Navrot – Partnership between CCPL & the Seniors Activity Centre: Provides seniors advocacy through the Seniors Support Program at the Seniors Activity Centre. Available Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9-3. The Seniors Activity Centre is open Mon-Fri, 9-3. Currently working on seniors' housing, and financial benefits applications on a computer. Supporting them in navigating seniors' housing, and financial benefits applications via computer. We will have three people trained to provide handicap placards for vehicles. October 3-9 “Go By Bikes week is taking place. On October 7, Denise Decshaine will be seeking input on what it is like to move around Williams Lake by bike, scooter, or walker and will be providing a one-hour e-bike demo. We are recruiting volunteers to provide 1-1 tutoring, for more info contact Eva at evanavrot5@gmail.com

Jill Zirnhelt - Central Interior Rural Division of Family Practice (CIRD): We know there is a big shortage of healthcare professionals and there is a lot of work around this. There is a rollout through ministries on the local level to expand team-based care. It does not replace the need for physicians and nurses but can help. There have been many recent hires through the primary care network: a dietician, social worker, respiratory care professional and clinical pharmacist. They provide services for individuals with mild to moderate care needs.

Guest Speaker(s):
Blair Cunningham, Executive Director of the Orange Shirt Society

Started his role as the Executive Director for Orange Shirt Society on July 4^th, and moved to Williams Lake on July 16
Planned the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation taking place on Friday, September 30^th at the Stampede grounds
- 8:00 am Raising of “Every Child Matters” flag at City Hall at 8:00 am
- 8:00 am Free breakfast, for the first 800, by the Rotary Club
- 11:30 am Indian Relay Races, 1^st heat – Indian Relay Races is a bareback race around the track and without stopping the rider jumps from one horse to another until the finish.
- 12:0 pm Free lunch, for the first 1000
- 1:00 pm Drummers gather from 4 Directions of the arena
- 1:20 pm Blessings & Smudge from Elder
- 1:30 pm Welcome from MC and dignitary speeches
- 2:30 pm Time for Elders and Survivors
- 3:30 pm Indian Relay Races 2^nd heat
There will be health and wellness supports available
Various food trucks with Chilli and Bannock, Poutine, Mexican Tacos, etc. are available

Thank you from Laurie, Carla, and Marnie

Lightning Round Organizational Updates (continued):

Krista Harvey – BGC Williams Lake (formerly Boys and Girls Club): Working on flooring renovation. In partnership with many organizations, a Hockey program is starting, we need donations of hockey gear for youth. Indigenous Baseball is happening. We are getting into the schools. The "Necessity Nook" needs personal hygiene supplies and we need easy-make snacks. We feed youth every night. We are in desperate need of plastic baggies and water bottles. We are looking for volunteers for the Haunted House (Post Apocalyptic type theme). If interested or have donations contact Krista at clubmanager@bgcwilliamslake.com

Kylie Green – Community Health Worker: Through Interior Health fills gaps in services by providing home support to seniors. Not intended to duplicate services already available.

Laurie Walters – Community Futures Planning a Successful Succession (PASS): The PASS program has taken off. Baby boomers are retiring and there are great opportunities for people to buy a business. Working on a new campaign to increase interest in purchasing a business. Carla, “do you have numbers to show matches?”
Laurie, “67 businesses connected to PASS, 14 sold indirectly through PASS. Eighty-eight % of businesses looking to sell are baby boomers.

Leah Selk – First Nations Wellness Centre: The new First Nations Wellness Centre is looking to purchase art from Tŝilhqot'in, Dakelh Dene and Secwepemc visual artists. Interested artists can submit up to four pieces for elders for review by Wednesday, October 5^th at 5 pm. For more info, contact Leah at fnwellness.art@gmail.com

Marvene Layte - Northern Interior Communities Association (NICA), Gaming Grants: Community Gaming Grants resources ends in November. Contact Marvene at 250-612-2031; she may be able to meet in person if you need assistance. Her colleague in Prince George is retiring in mid-October. She would like to be an SPC guest speaker for Community Gaming Grants as well as for her role with Royal Purple.

Michael James Moses – Council Candidate: Member of several boards including the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Cariboo Friendship Society (SFS), and Carbioo Chilcotin Conservation Society (CCCS). Connected to Citizens on Patrol and Active Transportation Group. Started the “What’s Up in the Puddle” paddleboard group and will be doing a paddleboard fundraiser soon. CCCS is hiring a linguist to assist in updating local park guides to include Indigenous park names.

Pat Biblow – Thompson Rivers University (TRU-WL): Have a strong program enrollment but not so in single courses. Looking for ways to increase course enrollment. A new Associate Dean will be coming as Bryan Daly is leaving. Hired a new tutor, Justin Baddy, for the Learning Commons. He will be providing tutoring from 12-8 during the week. There will be a small Orange Shirt event on campus on Friday for students and staff. There is an open house coming up on November 2. Carla, it's great the Learning Commons is open up to the public, providing online courses and meeting students after hours.

Rosanna McGregor – Carbioo Friendship Society (CFS): Exciting to see Michael running for council. Working with the BC Northern Housing Society strategy for the province. Implementation is through the municipal and provincial governments with work done at the provincial and federal levels. Working to stay on top of issues through the Child Care and Pregnancy outreach program.
With the recent large opiate overdose event we need to brace for this in our area; reminding people that overdose kits, support staff, and other resources are available, "Don't Go It Alone." First Nations Health Authority supplies nasal naloxone kits as well and is available at CFS. Take Back the Night recently took place. The Orange Shirt Celebration on September 30^th is important and close to my heart; my mother, grandmother and great-grandmother were affected by residential schools. It is not about the deep dark history but really to educate, we are all impacted and attachment to culture and family was lost, and healthy pregnancies were lost for many generations.
The Poverty Reduction Advisory Committee has completed the year-end report and tabled it in the House. Looking realistically at the links and complexities between daycare, rising costs of heating, hydro, housing, etc. The Minister will provide some updates on some of these topics.
We live in rural and remote areas; we are more vulnerable when roads close due to fires, landslides, etc. The minister needs to know and brace for impacts yet to come.

Sherry Yonkman – Downtown Williams Lake Business Improvement Association (BIA): Send community updates to info@downtownwilliamslake.com by the 3^rd week of the month, Sherry will share them in the BIA newsletter and with her network. Jazmyn Douillard from Realm of Toys is assisting in planning the BIA Trick or Treat, to encourage kids to trick or treat at local businesses. Planning is underway for the Winter Lights Festival & Santa Parade on Dec 3. Plaid Friday, a version of Black Friday, is taking place on Nov 25.

Steph Huska – Community Member: Appreciates hearing from all the members and gives her ideas on where she can get involved.

Shannon Thom – Horton Ventures (d.ba. WorkBC Centre Williams Lake): We support employers, and underemployed/unemployed individuals, in getting into the workforce. We can assist with transportation, wage subsidies, and employee training (for up to a 4-6 months)

Marnie Brenner – City of Williams Lake: Had to leave early

Eileen Alberton – Women’s Contact Society (WCS): Had to step away

Rev. Nancy Colton – St. Andrews United Church (SAUC): No updates

Meeting Adjourned: 12:52 pm Laurie Walters

Community Meeting Zoom Link

October 24 Community Meeting Agenda - Draft

September Community Meeting Minutes - Draft

2022 Community Meetings

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