End of Phase One

Potluck & Round-Circles @Sechelt Indian Band Hall

This is the last session of the Spirit of Wellness Canoe Circle.  For the last three Wednesdays, mental health and addiction service providers from various agencies on the Sunshine Coast met on canoes to discuss their practice, meet others, and share ideas.  On August 22nd, participants were invited to the Sechelt Indian Band Hall for a potluck dinner event to process, clarify, and share ideas about education and training of service providers so that those in our community are supported with best practices.  Thank you to the  SD46 Spirit Canoe, the Sechelt Nation Canoe, and the Grandmother’s Canoe for taking part in the canoeing portion of this initiative.  The potluck event started off cultural content with drumming and singing to be followed up with dinner.  Many new faces, some familiar ones, and lots of conversation.  I missed the first half of this event, but participated in the second half.  Four directions, four corners, four discussion circles… a great set up.  The Spirit of Wellness Canoe Circle is Phase 1 of this two-stage application.  The advisory committee will review the data collected over the last four weeks to compose a proposal for Phase 2 funding.  The proposal is due next month.  Best wishes to the organizers.  This is a worthy cause and I am grateful to be a part of this unique community event as school trustee of the SD46 Board of Education.  I will report my experience to the Board at the September 2012 meeting. All my relations.