CHALLENGE
At the dawn of the 2020 decade, Essipit wished to renew its foundations by conducting a comprehensive community planning (CCP) exercise. Providing an opportunity to update the community’s values and vision, this process was also initiated with a view to identifying community members’ aspirations, validating the match between the administration’s work and members’ needs, and optimizing the energy invested in existing community projects and programs by innovating community practices and fostering collective empowerment.
PROPOSED SOLUTION
MU Conseils was hired by the Essipit Innu First Nation Council in 2019 to support its efforts in implementing comprehensive community planning and the supporting engagement strategy. The exercise was based on an inclusive and creative consultation process aimed at strengthening community spirit and inviting members to brainstorm on the best approaches to ensure the short- and long-term well-being and assertion of the community, while protecting local resources and Nitassinan. As this exercise was essentially carried out in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, it called for highly resourceful and creative solutions to deploy outreach activities likely to unlock the full potential of the community spirit despite the distance.
To support the Essipit Innu First Nation Council in fulfilling their CCP aspirations, MU Conseils also assisted them in the development of its 2023-2028 Government Strategic Plan (GSP) as a tool used to guide and coordinate actions in all the Council sectors. The implementation of the plan will contribute directly to maintaining and improving community members’ quality of life in a spirit of respect, openness and transparency, while continuing to ensure sound management of community assets.
RESULTS
- A 60% public participation rate in any of the CCP components, with several community members having taken part steadfastly in all the stages of the process
- A clear picture of the community’s current situation
- A consensus-based vision of the community’s aspirations to foster a positive outlook for the future
- A strong, renewed dialogue between the public, elected officials and administration
- An inspiring and realistic roadmap for getting started and making the community’s hopes a reality
To find out more, visit the CCP website.
