With energy development projects being explored and advanced in and around Nisga’a territory, staff at Nisga’a Employment, Skills and Training (NEST) saw a need to engage Nisga’a citizens in a conversation about opportunities and implications. CopperMoon was hired by NEST, with funding from the federal government, to conceptualize and organize a two-day event that would: increase awareness and understanding of energy development plans and the implications for safety and employment; and give Nisga’a citizens an opportunity to share their needs, concerns and visions for the future with the representatives leading proposed energy projects and the policies that govern them.
The event successfully brought Nisga’a citizens together with industry and government representatives to share knowledge, ideas and concerns, and ask the tough questions – leading to better, more informed policies and projects, and supporting a more knowledgeable and engaged citizenry.
“Coppermoon is the best team I’ve worked with. I am hopeful that more Canadian Indigenous communities benefit from their services and experience.”
– Gary Patsey, Manager, Nisga’a Employment, Skills and Training
Key Points
Workshop Empowers Community With Information About Energy Projects and Opportunities
- Nisga’a Employment, Skills and Training (NEST) wanted to give community members an opportunity to learn about liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects expected in and around Nisga’a Traditional Territory – including how those projects will affect Nisga’a people in terms of employment opportunities and safety. They also wanted to gain input from Nisga’a community members about the kind of work and training support they are looking for.
- Castlemain was hired to design the agenda for the two-day event, coordinate its implementation, and report on results.
- We hired a community member to join our team and support the event coordination
- We developed the agenda, including 4 workshops that participants rotated through, to meet NEST’s goals
- We researched and summarized background information into an easy to understand discussion guide that participants received when they arrived.
- We built and event website nest360.ca where prospective participants could register for the event, find answers to frequently asked questions, and see the event agenda. Post-event, the website also help the online evaluation form.
- Our team was on site to ensure everything ran smoothly (registration, technology, venue etc)
- We reported on results including outcomes and important points of discussion to attendees (external report) and on budget and feedback to the client.