April 25, 2024 (Langford, BC) – The partnership between Stz’uminus Education Society (SES) and the Construction Foundation of BC (CFBC) has spanned several years and includes a variety of projects in Stz’uminus Community School’s woodshop, ultimate frisbee field, and Stz’uminus Health & Elder’s Centre garden. This year, the two organizations collaborated on the introduction of a new Skills for Success program.
Skills for Success is a Government of Canada initiative that identifies nine skills that help people progress in their career. This project celebrated the ways that these are expressed in the Stz’uminus Nation, while working with participants to further develop their skills through hands on learning. The project was made possible through funding from the Province of BC – Ministry of Post Secondary and Future Skills, and support from Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC).
CFBC career catalyst, Kate Markham-Zantvoort, worked alongside Stz’uminus Knowledge Keeper, Dan R. Elliott to facilitate an eight-week program for participants to rejuvenate and upgrade the Stz’uminus Health & Elder Centre garden. The program also received support from Tami August, a Career Navigator with SES, who connected with participants to support their journeys during and beyond the Skills for Success program. Markham-Zantvoort and CFBC provided industry expertise and capacity, while Elliott and the other Stz’uminus Education staff brought context and understanding of the community to the program.
“Kate has been an enthusiastic and curious partner as we all navigate how to implement a new program,” said Stz’uminus Education Society’s Lifelong Learning Manager, Sarah-Jane Wells. “The garden and greenhouses are looking great. Both are generating curiosity and appreciation from community members frequenting the Health & Elder Centre.”
Participants in the program acquired and increased their skills and experience in communication, teamwork, leadership, carpentry, landscaping, horticulture, and machine operation (mini-ex, skid steer, and chainsaw), with Wells noting that “the upgrades to the greenhouses and garden will help to feed the mind, body, and spirit of community members who use the garden in the coming months and years.”
While engaging in daily landscaping and horticulture work, participants in the program were introduced to skills for success and life lessons from Markham-Zantvoort and Elliott. Both the cohort and leaders found their stride both on the tools and in the classroom after eight weeks, with the garden and greenhouse now ready for spring use by the community.
Stz’uminus Education Society harmonizes BC curriculum with Stz’uminus language and culture and emphasizes community connection and involvement. SES includes Daycare, Primary School (Grades 1-3), Community School (Grades 4-12), adult training and education, and is governed by a board comprised of Stz’uminus First Nation Council representatives, educators, stakeholders and community members.
“Stz’uminus Education Society’s plans are to continue seeking opportunities, funding, and partnerships to meet the training and education needs of community members, and we’ll continue to connect and walk alongside them on their steps to envision and live a good life on their own terms,” added Wells.
To learn more about the Stz’uminus Education Society, please visit https://www.stzuminus.education.
To learn more about the Skills for Success initiative, please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/jobs/training/initiatives/skills-success.html.
For more information on the work being done by the Construction Foundation of BC and to donate, please visit www.constructionfoundation.ca.
