Minutes of the Elders Council for Parks
Elders Council Meeting Notes
September 15, 2009
Present: Ric Careless, Colin Campbell, Derek Thompson, Mel Turner, Lara Tisseur, Chloe O'Loughlin, Nancy Wilkin, Denis O'Gorman.
Marine Forum Update October 5/6
Chloe and Lara updated that speakers have been confirmed, invites are out, an agenda is to be emailed this week, as well as a phone blitz and are optimistic about the majority of people registering in the next two weeks. Elders’ representation is based on invitations and invited Elders will represent the Elders Council as opportunity arises. Rick Searle, Jim Barlow, Lara Tisseur and Bob Peart will be attending from the Elders council.
Action:
Lara will continue to assist the Forum as needed.
Centennial
Derek updated on the first Steering Committee meeting to be held Thursday September 17th, launched by Deputy. The Steering Committee’s member ship includes Rick Carswell (PFO Society), Chloe O'Loughlin, History Heritage Community, Tourism BC, 1st Nations Tourism Council, Arts Council, and Metro-Van Parks.
- Updated that the funding for a variety of groups on the steering committee have been cut.
- Objective is to try and establish a leadership committee and discuss the 'legacy'.
- Updated that Parks Canada has a new director solely responsible for the centennial Canada celebration on Parks.
- Derek reiterated his position of stepping away from his dual involvement as chair of the Steering Committee and Elder representative.
Mel posed question of what should be Elders future involvement: on the steering committee or the leadership committee or just support the Centennial?
Action:
- Elders to think about our role generally.
- Discussed the need for an Elder (Ric or Chloe) to step into Derek's prior role for the Elders in regards to the Centennial progress.
- Need to discuss our role with Government involvement/support, external pressure, our role within the steering committee and what the best role for the Elders could be.
- Need to discuss how to keep the Park History project continuing.
- Need to discuss further that given the centennial initiative, there may be a need to re-organize Elders vehicle into a greater communicative mode for the centennial event.
Elders Relationship with Government
Colin recapped on positive outcomes with government:
- influential in the future of Parks
- ability to provide support and awareness
- ability to facilitate community involvement and resulting planning initiatives.
Discussion ensued whether the quarterly meeting is useful. Idea of support roles for gov. from within the Elders i.e., continue to nurture existing gov. relationships and establishing new gov. relationships.
Action
- Schedule meeting with Deputy in fall to inform him of Elders’ direction and priorities, focus on Centennial.
- Elders to talk with Deputy about meeting with the Premier’s office, possibly this fall.
- Establish a small ad-hoc group to prepare recommendations to Elders Executive on this topic.
Closing discussion regarding how can the Elders best continue to deliver on our mission, discussing park use, demand, resources, legislation, management models and services issues. We need to be involved with the Centennial process and provide necessary leadership on other key matters that influence the range of parks systems in BC.
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