This past spring, you may have shared your perspective about the future of the Basin with the Trust. If so, you were one of the many people who helped us collect more than 35,000 thoughts. Thank you!
The Trust was thrilled to be back in communities across the region to connect with residents. Engagement is at the core of how the Trust works as we continually seek input from the people of the Basin, and the 2023 Our Trust, Our Future engagement process was a great opportunity to do so.
Basin residents came together to discuss what kind of place they want to live in, work in and grow old in. How could their visions be achieved? Together, what could we do to realize an even better outlook for this incredible region?
“It really is all about connection. And that’s connection to people, connection to community, connection to place.”
Basin resident
Why your thoughts matter
Caring about the perspectives of Basin residents is at the heart of who we are. In fact, the Columbia Basin Trust Act mandates us to include the people of the Basin in the development of the Columbia Basin Management Plan, which guides our work. This year we are writing a new plan and have undertaken a community engagement process called Our Trust, Our Future. This is in addition to our ongoing engagement with Basin residents.
How you shared your ideas
In addition to the Trust’s continuous engagement with Basin residents, the Our Trust, Our Future engagement process included in-person community open houses and facilitated sessions; several pop-up community events, including engagement with students at College of the Rockies and Selkirk College; three regional symposia; and a variety of online and virtual engagement options.
“What I love most about living in the Basin is the feeling of knowing that I am valued and that my opinons are important.”
Youth Basin resident
Symposia X 3
For the first time ever, we offered three symposia instead of one, held in May and June in Cranbrook, Trail and Golden. The goal was to enable as many Basin residents as possible to join these celebrations and conversations. Pandemic aside, the Trust has historically held symposia every few years, starting back in the early 1990s before the Trust was even officially created. At these events, residents get together to discuss common interests and share diverse perspectives, all while honouring what makes this region great.
The last time we were able to gather at a symposium was in 2017, so it was exciting to meet again in person to celebrate all that the region had accomplished in the meantime. At this year’s symposia, participants discussed the future of the region and what role the Trust may be able to play.
And let’s not forget the fun!
- Amazing food created with local ingredients.
- Hillbilly music from the Doggone Brothers.
- Foot-stomping tunes from the Maritime Kitchen Party.
- Entertaining offerings by locals Lucas Myers and Claire Dibble.
- Indigenous language and culture presented by Bonnie Harvey, Ktunaxa Nation.
- Introspection and reflection from slam poet Zaynab Mohammed.
What I love the most about the Columbia Basin is the rivers that connect us and the connection that we have to those rivers and to the land.
Youth Basin resident
View the full photo gallery here.
