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INVEST in BC 2 0 2 4 13 We support women in your community with: Business Loans up to $150k + Advisory Services, Training, and Mentorship Visit go.we-bc.ca/SMART Self-Paced Courses for Entrepreneurs With WeBC's SMART programs, women business owners in all areas of BC can improve their business skills in HR, financials, marketing and more. No membership required! WeBC is supported by Pacific Economic Development Canada The SMART Program is funded by the Government of Canada's Women Entrepreneurship Strategy GRANT FUNDED fee simple property, there is a considerable amount of land now freed up to develop into housing and commercial ventures," says Barclay Pitkethly, deputy chief administrative officer for the City of Mission. "From the city's perspective, because the land is being transferred as fee simple, and not an addition to reserve lands, the tax implications stay with the city, as does the servicing. Collectively, the LMS Society and the City of Mission are also placing the majority of the lands into park designation that will be jointly co-managed via a newly created joint park management plan." Then there is the signing of a friendship agreement by the District of Kitimat and Haisla Nation Council, concluding a two- year relationship building project. The agreement was signed at a celebration at Minette Bay West Park on June 2, 2024. The agreement, which is named gi guáƛap̓ nis (meaning working together/ helping each other), is the result of the work the district and Haisla have done through the Community Economic Development Initiative (CEDI) program. CEDI is a national program delivered jointly by CANDO (the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers) and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). The program in Kitimat, launched in 2022, is a facilitated, collaborative process to approach economic development opportunities through a respectful, equitable partnership involving the District of Kitimat and Haisla Nation Council. As the facilitated CEDI process ends, the parties set the framework for continuing work. "Our friendship agreement means we will always have a space to share ideas and plans for thoughtful development in the territory," says chief councillor Crystal Smith. "All our communities benefit from this new way we can work together in an environment of respect and inclusion." With participation in this program having ended in June 2024, the District of Kitimat and Haisla Nation Council have created a five-year Joint Strategic Plan that lays out actions that will be embarked on together moving forward. The efforts won recognition of the partnership through a BCEDA Award for Economic Reconcilia- tion—Partnership on economic develop- ment programs and strategy development. The goal for both governments was to build a sustainable partnership and foster relationship growth through economic development. Over the past two years, the partnership developed principles and terms of reference to guide their discussions. Through their work together, the parties have increased collaborative programming, incorporated Haisla art on the newly completed Haisla Bridge, launched an Indigenous hiring program at the district and created a new Indigenous relations manager position at the district. The Ktunaxa Nation's ʔaq̓ am Community Enterprises and the City of Cranbrook form another example of a community-to- community partnership. Adjacent to the Canadian Rockies International Airport are 100 acres of land that the two organizations are developing together, in part for a renewable energy project. The parties are also behind a new interpretative centre that will serve as a visitor centre as well as a cultural centre as part of its tourism plan. "The vision for the infrastructure is to tell the story of the Ktunaxa and to create a workplace for our artisans to show their skills as well as to manufacture and sell their artwork," says Janice Alpine, the business development officer/tourism engagement with the Ktunaxa Nation Council Economic & Investment Sector. Adds Darren Brewer, business develop- ment officer with the City of Cranbrook: "Indigenous tourism is an underserved and emerging sector in the tourism space." • BUILDING BRIDGES: The Ktunaxa Nation Interpretive Centre (left) opened with the support of the City of Cranbrook; Kitimat politicians join Haisla elders and councillors to open the Haisla Bridge, part of a Joint Strategic Plan

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