Blair Feltmate

Turning Ideas into Action

Some challenges are too big to tackle on your own. 

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That’s why more than 30 front-line health professionals from Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities came together to identify regional health and social well-being challenges and opportunities in the context of advancing resource development.

Building on the work of an expert researcher who measures the health benefits and impacts of mine projects and using a self-directed Unconference format, Regional Health Forum participants examined community health through the lens of increased jobs, shift work, skills training, health and social services, volunteerism, camp life, policing and families.

Held in the band gymnasium, the forum represented a groundbreaking demonstration of cross-community collaboration and information sharing. Learning from each other’s challenges and building on successes is an important step in collaborative regional planning  around resource development.

“Through this session we learned we all share a common goal. We all want a happy and healthy community."

- Regional Health Forum participant

Debbie Cox facilitating the Regional Health Forum, where 30 front-line health professionals addressed the challenges and opportunities created by large-scale resource projects.

Debbie Cox facilitating the Regional Health Forum, where 30 front-line health professionals addressed the challenges and opportunities created by large-scale resource projects.

Working with a resource development company, James Laurence Group designed and facilitated the Regional Health Forum as part of a community consultation and engagement strategy. If you have questions or thoughts about this story, send us a note @ info@jameslaurence.com