Aboriginal Leadership Shares Best Practices in Rural Alberta
New case study highlights importance of Alberta’s Aboriginal culture and history for future generations
Banff, AB – The Rural Alberta Development Fund proudly supports another successful project, the Best Practices in Rural Alberta Project: Nexen Chair in Aboriginal Leadership . On November 18 and 19, over 60 researchers, youth, donors and Aboriginal elders involved in this applied research project will meet at a symposium in Banff to share their findings on Aboriginal wise practices collected over the past year.
Held at the Banff Centre, this meeting will serve as an opportunity for participants to share their learnings, reflect on their journey and gather perspectives from youth and community members in attendance. Informally, the weekend will act as a dress rehearsal for participants to practice their presentations before the final symposium in 2012.
Thanks to the $1.3 million in funding support from the Rural Alberta Development Fund, the Banff Centre’s Best Practices in Rural Alberta Project is well on its way to developing a toolkit identifying critical factors that define successful Aboriginal businesses and communities. With the project gaining momentum, RADF launched a case study outlining the impact the project is having on Aboriginal communities across the province.
The Best Practices in Rural Alberta Project uses storytelling and conversation to gather information on Aboriginal leadership and how to pass that knowledge on to future Aboriginal leaders. The case study sets out the goals and successes the project has seen thus far and offers a glimpse into the lives of those working hard to illuminate the wise practices of the past.
“This project has taught me so much about the First Nations of Alberta and the amazing people that live and work in these communities,” says Anna Wowchuk, Program Manager, Aboriginal Leadership and Management at the Banff Centre. “I have seen and heard from communities about the hopes for the future and how this project will capture a few of the remarkable wise practices the Alberta communities can share. It is great to be a part of a project that will lend tools allowing these dreams to become a reality.”
Along with this inspiring project, RADF continually looks for ways to showcase Alberta’s rural success stories. As the research on the Best Practices in Rural Alberta Project compiles, RADF looks forward to seeing the results of all the hard work pay off.
Read the full Aboriginal Leadership story and the rest of the Small Town, Big Sky features at www.radf.ca/be_inspired
Background on the Banff Centre:
Since 1933, the Banff Centre has been inspiring creativity while advancing Canada’s contribution to creativity and knowledge through arts and culture. The Centre is a specialized arts and culture institution, providing non-parchment programs in arts and creativity, leadership development, mountain culture and environment. The leadership development programs pioneer new ways of looking at leadership and new methodologies for leading in a complex world.
Rural Alberta Development Fund is a not-for-profit company that inspires innovation, collaboration and growth across rural Alberta. In 2007, it was capitalized with $100 million by the Government of Alberta as part of its Rural Development Strategy. So far, $90.1 million has been committed to 78 projects. Applications are now being accepted for the remaining funds, which must be committed by March 31, 2012. The deadline for Expressions of Interest is November 23, 2011.
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For more information, contact:
Gitte Sorensen
Communications & Program Coordinator
Rural Alberta Development Fund
780.436.9585 office
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)