Through the journey of Strategic Transformation, two principles were shared with us by Ta7talíya Nahanee, a friend of neighbourhood houses and a member of a Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw. It is important to acknowledge the gift of wisdom shared with us by Ta7talíya and many Indigenous teachers throughout the years of transformation. These principles guided us through the work of exploring what transformation could look like for ANHBC:
The ANHBC Strategic Framework is a living process of transformation through commitments of relationship building and decolonizing. We will ensure our transformation is a living reality through our collective values, practices and work alongside our neighbours.
Explore the Framework
When we began looking at a new strategic plan for our organization, we knew we needed to do things differently and take the time that was necessary.
A common thread woven throughout this journey is how we are centering relationships and conversation, while we take the time needed to design a strategic framework together. This dialogue happens not only at the Core Team gatherings, but within working groups, committees, engagement sessions and over cups of tea. Everything we have heard and harvested was through the lens of decolonizing our collective organization, which led us to three priority themes:
Land – People – Place,
which will be explored throughout this Framework.
In October 2021 we envisioned creating a group of ANHBC folks from across the entire organization, made up of a variety of voices and experiences. This group of 13, who began their work together in January 2022, is know as the Core Transformation Team.
The Core Team met in conversation regularly throughout 2022/23, and their voices have shaped and informed the Strategic Transformation process. They provided insight and feedback when developing materials, organizing engagement conversations, and designing Land Back Roundtable discussions – plus much more. Their contribution to ANHBC’s Strategic Transformation is inspiring and has rippled out into their work and personal lives.
Since 2021, transformation and decolonization have been rippling out across ANHBC. From decision making, program design, space (re)development, and the ways we work alongside each other and our neighbours, we have witnessed evoluation as we have written this Strategic Trasnformation Framework. Every conversation now includes questioning colonization – what does it mean to be in good relations when making good decisions. Throughout this document you will read Stories of Transformation that guide and inspire us to continue along this path of unlearning and change.
“We marveled at the interconnectedness of the forest”
We see ANHBC and our collective transformation as a forest ecosystem deeply interconnected, purposeful and committed.
Artwork by Marisa Law
CANOPY DIRECTIONS, FRUITS & SEEDS
The canopy of the forest is made up of five Directions that repeatedly emerged throughout engagement across the ANHBC Collective, and they are intertwined and overlapping. From them come their Seeds (goals) and Fruits (actions).
The development of the Directions, Seeds and Fruit is the work of the engagement that occurred across the ANHBC collective from 2021-2024. From small working groups, to large engagement sessions, to the Core Transformation Team, to the Strategic Planning Committee, and much more – this section is born from 3+ years of intentional engagement and dialogue.
Our transformation journey is a living, dynamic process that will continually evolve with time, experience, learning and circumstance.
Our Strategic Framework embodies this, acknowledging the continuous path of growth, adaptation and renewal.
To ensure that strategic transformation is a living reality, we will:
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Taking these steps, we will create an organizational environment where the Living Process of Transformation becomes ingrained in our culture and operations, driving relevant and sustained change.
The journey of collective Strategic Transformation across ANHBC began in the spring and summer months of 2021, and there are many people to thank and recognize who stewarded this unconventional path.
Beginning with Ta7talíya Nahanee and Chris Corrigan who called on us to do things differently, and approach the work through the lens of transformation. With them we found a path forward that fed our values and intentions in ways that exceeded our imaginations.
The Core Transformation Team who bravely came together at the beginning for this work, approached and upheld the process with the highest regard and rippled the work of transformation and decolonizing out into their neighbourhood houses, teams and communities.
The Strategic Planning Committee who led, guided and stewarded the process developing a new strategic plan. Together they supported each other to do things differently and approach transformation in a non-linear way. They listened deeply to the voices that emerged since 2021, and ensured that what was heard guided the work.
To those who brought the Strategic Framework to life through art, design and writing.
To the entire ANHBC Collective – the teams, volunteers, participants, board members, neighbours and many Indigenous teachers who courageously and openly participated in our many engagement sessions and conversations. Your words, drawings and sticky-notes have and will continue to guide our collective transformation.
