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British Columbia First Nations Success Stories

Whether it's developing comprehensive community plans, managing effective water and wastewater systems, launching innovative economic development projects or forging partnerships, First Nations in BC are making great strides towards improving the quality of life in their communities. We are pleased to highlight the many successes of First Nations individuals and communities around the province through the stories on this section of our site.

Community Stories: Aboriginal Successes in British Columbia Community Stories: Aboriginal Successes in British Columbia celebrates Aboriginal culture and ingenuity in British Columbia. We are pleased to share these stories with you, and hope you enjoy reading about some of the exciting projects happening in Aboriginal communities throughout the province.

If you would like to order a hard copy of this publication, please contact:
E-mail: Infopubs@aandc-aadnc.gc.ca 
Phone: (toll-free) 1-800-567-9604



Language and Culture at the Forefront of New Stein Valley Nlakapamux School

Stein Valley Nlakapamux SchoolFor the students, staff and school board of the new Stein Valley Nlakapamux School, the building symbolizes the unique culture and tradition of six local First Nations – the Nlakapmux people.
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Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre: A Triumph of Architecture and First Nations Culture

Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre When the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre was being built in the heart of Whistler's upper village in 2007, a black bear and her cub ambled through the front entrance and had a good look around. Their presence was cause not for panic, but for celebration. After all, to the mostly Squamish and Lil'wat people on-site that day, these shaggy, sharp-clawed creatures were a blessing, signifying power and good luck.
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BladeRunners Gives At-risk Youth a Second Chance

BladeRunners In 18 cities across British Columbia, BladeRunners is helping at-risk youth pave their own way to a brighter, more prosperous future.
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Students Thrive at Kitsumkalum Adult Learning Centre

The Bolton Clan on Graduation Day For Charlotte Guno, Principal of the ‘Na aksa Gila Kyew Learning Centre and Education Coordinator for the Kitsumkalum First Nation, keeping her culture and her community connected is more than a personal priority — it's one of the main reasons she started the ‘Na aksa Gila Kyew Learning Centre (pronounced “Ena-axa-Gila-Geeo”), Kitsumkalum's adult education program.
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Moricetown Water Treatment Operators Tap into Clear Solution

Floyd Naziel standing in the new water treatment plantHaving safe drinking water is something many of us take for granted. But for the water treatment operators in Moricetown, a small First Nations community in northwestern British Columbia, ensuring good water quality is a full-time job. It's a weighty responsibility and one that an upgraded water treatment plant has made that much easier to manage.
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The Sun Shines Brightly on T'Sou-ke First Nation

Chief Gordon PlanesIn a small First Nations community on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, energy meters are spinning backwards.  As the sun beats down on the new solar panel installation that T'Sou-ke First Nation built, there is so much clean energy being produced that they can provide power for their entire community and sell the surplus back to BC Hydro.
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Ucluelet Housing Development Provides Homes and More...

Newly built housing units on the new subdivisionWhen the Ucluelet First Nation decided to move ahead with a new housing development on their reserve at Itattsoo, on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, they knew they were creating more than just a structure. They were providing homes, creating jobs and attracting members back to the community.
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Hesquiaht First Nation Place of Learning: Not Just a School

Hesquiaht First Nation Place of LearningThe new Hesquiaht First Nation Place of Learning isn't just a school. It's a community centre, a post-disaster facility and most of all, something that community members built with their own hands, reflecting their own vision, using natural resources from their own traditional territory.
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