Rawhide Article-Goals Recap- April 2012

Rawhide Article – Goals Recap - April 2012

We’re Listening.

Over the past year, staff members from Tribal Planning and Antithesis Research have been out sharing the vision for the ‘Sustainable Community Project’. You may have heard us on KYRS radio, filled out a survey, or seen our information up at the Admin building. We’re online too. A lot of information can be found at the web-site, Facebook and the project blog. We’re Only a Click Away.

We want to hear from you. We REALLY do! It’s important to let your ideas and needs be known. We’d be happy to sit down and listen; letting you know where we’ve been and, just as important, where we are going. Exciting things are happening!

What’s the Point?

To ‘Plan’ is essentially asking the question: ‘How do we want to move forward into the future?’ A written plan is much like a road map; helping us all arrive safely at our intended destination. Once completed, the Tribal Community will be owners of its first ever ‘community-driven’ Comprehensive Plan.

This means that the plan comes from you and will shape the community’s future. 

 Through your responses, the community’s Goals (desired outcomes) are slowly but surely appearing. We hope the following examples show how the process is working, and the importance of your involvement. The following are just a sample of the goals which have been established through your involvement.

What we asked: “Should the majority of land on the reservation be preserved for cultural uses such as hunting, fishing, and food gathering and leave construction to where it currently exists?” What we heard: A resounding 88% of those surveyed believe that land should be preserved. Therefore, The Plan states: “Land Use Goal 3: PRESERVE OPEN SPACE, WILDLIFE HABITAT, CLEAN AIR AND WATER.”

What we asked: “What values are important around economic development?” … and answering the question: “I am happiest when….” What we heard: Culture, Language, and Traditions are important! Family values, Higher Education and Training should be promoted. A stable job and a livable income wage makes us all happy. Therefore, The Plan states: “Economic Development Goal 1: PURSUE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THAT HONORS CULTURAL VALUES AND TRADITIONS OF RESPECT, LISTENING, LIVING IN HARMONY AND CONSIDERATION OF DEVELOPING WITH SEVENTH GENERATION IDEALS.”

What we asked: “Are your transportation needs being met?” and “How do you currently get around and how would you rather get around?”   What we heard: “We need more transportation on and off the reservation to get to shopping, doctor’s appointments, jobs and school”. Therefore, The Plan states: “Transportation Goal 5: EXPAND, IMPROVE AND INCREASE THE FREQUENCY OF CURRENT AND FUTURE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SERVICES ON AND OFF THE RESERVATION.”

Want to Get Involved?

If you would like to join in the planning, please let your voice be known. Fill out a survey, tell a friend, and if possible, come to the next Steering Committee meeting in May. We’d love to meet you!

Want to Read or Hear More?

If you would like more information, or to review all of the 22 goals that the community is talking about and developing, you can reach us at 509-258-7100, info@antithesisresearch.org or 6201 Ford-Wellpinit Rd I Wellpinit, WA 99040. Find us on Facebook, blog, or just stop into the office to chat.

Thank You and Kind Regards,

The Antithesis Research Team