September 25, 2025 | A project of the Squamish Nation, has been recognized with three Core Values Awards from the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Canada. These national awards celebrate the highest standards in public participation and community engagement.

The GenPlan, a groundbreaking initiative led by the Squamish Nation to create a 100-year vision for its lands and people, received the following accolades at the recent IAP2 Canada awards ceremony:

1. Award for Indigenous Engagement: Recognizing deep respect for and meaningful integration of Indigenous knowledge, values, and worldviews throughout the planning process.
2. Award for Creativity, Contribution and Innovation in the Field: Honouring the innovative methods used to engage the Nation’s members across all ages and geographies.
3. Project of the Year: The highest honour, awarded to the project that best exemplifies the IAP2 Core Values and represents a landmark achievement in the field of public participation.

The plan’s significance is rooted in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sovereignty. As the website states: “The Generational Plan is a 100-year vision created by the Squamish People for the Squamish People. It will guide the Nation on how we will use our land and resources to become a more vibrant, healthy, and prosperous Nation for the next seven generations and beyond.” These awards affirm the power of that community-led vision.

“We are grateful to have played a supporting role in this innovative and landmark initiative. This recognition from IAP2 Canada is a testament to the leadership, members and staff of the Squamish Nation who made it a priority,” said William Trousdale, Principal and Project Lead. “The GenPlan process was truly Nation-led. Our role at EcoPlan International was to provide technical support throughout the process. To be recognized for supporting Indigenous Engagement, in particular, is extremely meaningful, as it validates an approach built on respect, trust, and genuine partnership.”

The GenPlan, also known as *Uxwumixw 2050 engaged members from across the entire Squamish Nation to develop a comprehensive, intergenerational roadmap. The process was celebrated for its creative engagement techniques, which included digital tools, art-based workshops, and ceremonies designed to be culturally relevant and accessible to all generations, from Elders to youth.

The IAP2 Canada Core Values Awards are highly competitive, recognizing organizations and projects that demonstrate excellence in engaging the public in decision-making. Winning the top award of Project of the Year underscores the national and international significance of the GenPlan as a model for Indigenous-led planning and community engagement.

To learn more about the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw Generational Plan, visit the Squamish Nation’s project page: https://www.squamish.net/community-initiatives/uxwumixw-2050-s%E1%B8%B5wx%CC%B1wu7mesh-generational-plan/

For details on the IAP2 Canada Core Values Awards, visit: https://iap2canada.ca/Core_Values_Awards

June 1–16, 2025 | Thimphu, Bhutan —EcoPlan International recently completed an eventful two-week engagement in the Kingdom of Bhutan, bridging ancient wisdom with modern science. From June 1st to 16th, EcoPlan participated in the Science, Mindfulness, and Meditation Conference and delivered a tailored training program to 18 Economic Development and Marketing Officers from across the country.

Hosted at the serene Royal University of Bhutan campus, the Science, Mindfulness, and Meditation Conference brought together scientists, spiritual leaders, and policy professionals to explore how contemplative practices and science can inform each other. EcoPlan was interested in the links between decision-making and mindfulness in today’s complex world. EcoPlan contributed to this dialogue by discussing its work on Structured Decision Support, highlighting how mindfulness—when integrated with decision science—can lead to more grounded, ethical, and sustainable planning outcomes.

Following the conference, EcoPlan shifted focus from theory to action. At the invitation of Bhutan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs, the team led an intensive Local Economic Development (LED) Strategy Training for regional officers representing Dzongkhags from all corners of the country. Over the course of two days, participants engaged in hands-on sessions covering LED planning, stakeholder engagement, value chain development, and strategic prioritization—all rooted in Bhutan’s commitment to Gross National Happiness and sustainability.

“We came here to share tools, but we’re leaving with a deeper sense of purpose,” said William Trousdale, Director of EcoPlan. “Bhutan’s blend of wisdom and pragmatism is unlike anywhere else—and it’s clear that these officers are not just learning strategies, they’re shaping the future of their communities.”

EcoPlan’s visit marked a unique convergence of values and practice, echoing Bhutan’s own development philosophy: development with values at the core. As the country navigates economic transition, EcoPlan’s contribution aims to support not just economic resilience, but a deeper alignment between prosperity, community, and well-being.

The judging panel for the 2023 International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Core Values Awards noted: Your submission impressed the international jury, where one jury member thought the project was amazing. “Indigenous reconciliation is a major theme in public policy decision making in Canada right now, and an important consideration for meaningful engagement with project interest-holders and rights holders. I loved how this project integrated Indigenous perspectives and values into their engagement approach.”

This is in addition to the Planning Institute of British Columbia 2023 Silver Award for Planning Excellence, the Sea2City Design Challenge was awarded the prestigious Indigenous Engagement Award for its groundbreaking approach to collaborative planning and design on Vancouver’s False Creek shoreline. Led by the City of Vancouver, this 12-month competition sought to address the challenges posed by rising sea levels, urban development, ecological revitalization, and decolonization and reconciliation with Host Nations.

What set Sea2City apart was its commitment to Indigenous engagement. Indigenous knowledge keepers and designers were actively involved, marking the first time in Canada that a competition model was used for such a planning and adaptation initiative. The project incorporated comprehensive public engagement efforts, including public learning sessions, decolonization workshops, and reflection sessions with advisory groups and design teams, ensuring broad participation and diverse voices.

Sea2City exemplifies the spirit of Indigenous engagement, fostering meaningful relationships with Indigenous Peoples and communities and setting a high standard for future projects of this nature.
This project has been shared with IAP2 International and will be considered alongside projects from IAP2 affiliates around the world for an IAP2 International 2023 Core Value Award.
Access their website
Watch their video

Please accept our congratulations on behalf of the judging panel for the 2023 International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Core Values Awards. Your entry has been selected as the winner of the 2023 International Project of the Year category for your entry “Sea2City Design Challenge”.

Your submission impressed the international jury, where one jury member thought the project was amazing. “Indigenous reconciliation is a major theme in public policy decision making in Canada right now, and an important consideration for meaningful engagement with project interest-holders and rights holders. I loved how this project integrated Indigenous perspectives and values into their engagement approach.”

NADF PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION TOOLKIT: BUILDING BIMADIZOWIM:

As a follow-up to Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund’s (NADF) Comprehensive Community Planning Toolkit, the Project Implementation Toolkit is a practical guide, grounded in the context of First Nations in Northern Ontario. The Toolkit provides guidance, tools, examples and best practices, in a format that breaks down the implementation phase into a manageable, approachable process. It was written to be relevant and accessible to community staff tasked with “getting projects done” (plans, policies, programs or infrastructure), regardless of their experience or training.

The Toolkit is intended to help fill a gap in planning resources and supports, a role often taken up by outside consultants, and responds to this real need in First Nations communities to develop local capacity, knowledge, and project ownership. It was developed in collaboration with an Advisory Group of First Nations representatives, whose years of experience ensure it reflects and is relevant to the specific context of First Nations community development. As governments, organizations and institutions work to support reconciliation, nurturing the means for First Nations to determine their own trajectories is a key component.

OPPI has recognized its responsibilities in responding to the Calls to Action set out by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, which include Indigenous capacity building in the realm of community development and recognizing Indigenous knowledge within the planning profession. The Toolkit demonstrates Indigenous leadership and the valuing of Indigenous perspectives in an immediately relevant and applicable resource. It’s designed to foster in-situ capacity of First Nations practitioners who either choose to remain in their community or don’t have the ability to travel and live outside for educational/ training opportunities.

It also fills a gap in resources developed by Indigenous practitioners for community practitioners, and for non-Indigenous planners to better understand First Nations contexts.

Sep. 7, 2022

KHFN make the news again with another big step in implementing their Comprehensive Community Plan, which was supported by EcoPlan. This time it is new camping facilities at Buddy Bay, near the village of Gwa’yas’dums.

Click here for North Island Gazette article

EcoPlan International and the City of St. George Alaska win two major planning awards:

• Canadian Institute of Planners – National Planning Award for Planning Excellence (July 2021)
• American Planning Association – Western Planners Award (August 2021)

Here is what the judges had to say…

RURAL / SMALL TOWN PLANNING

Award for Planning Excellence Merit
2021
Project Name: Rebuilding our Future – Kayutuuxtxin Tanagnangin Igayuusalix angagiimchin agnaxtxichin – St. George’s Economic Development Strategy
Company: EPI EcoPlan International, Inc. and City of St. George

St. George Island is located in the Bering Sea, with approximately 60 on-island residents. Recognizing an urgent need to act, the City of St. George undertook an innovative economic development strategy with EcoPlan International. The January 2020 strategy had to be one-of-a-kind to address the unique conditions facing the Island.

Rebuilding our Future goes beyond the territory of a traditional economic development strategy, blending healing, community need, traditional knowledge, and environmental resilience, while providing actionable items for growing and diversifying the economy. The strategy involved significant research and public engagement, with over 80% of St. George’s residents engaged, as well as 23 organizations and knowledge-holders. Recommendations from the strategy focus on leveraging partnerships, while combining knowledge of the traditional Unangan economy with Western science, to sustainably manage and leverage the Island’s natural resources.

Increased cooperation between the City government and the Traditional Council will be key to the success of the strategy. The actions recommended by this strategy are broad-reaching and clearly laid out with short, medium, and long-term plans for implementation.

The jury applauds St. George’s Island for the Rebuilding our Future strategy, noting the action-oriented nature of the plan, with a heavy focus on not only economic development but also sustainability.

https://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/local-news/regional-economic-development-strategy-released-for-pemberton-area-3975281

The Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’ First Nation (KCFN) is one step closer to joining the Strathcona Regional District, as the two bodies met last week to look into details around the process and what to look forward to after KCFN becomes a full member on April 1, 2021.

This project builds on a lot of previous work that was done to support Huu-ay-aht, Ucluelet, Toquaht and Uchucklesaht Tribe in joining the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District as member governments,” said John Ingraham of EcoPlan during the meeting, who is helping facilitate the transition between the groups. Those four Nations have already joined the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District.

Find full story here: https://www.campbellrivermirror.com/news/kcfn-srd-meet-to-discuss-upcoming-first-nation-inclusion-to-board/

In January 2020, EcoPlan International helped St. George with the development of their Economic Development Strategy: Rebuilding Our Future – Kayutuuxtxin Tanagnangin Igayuusalix angagiimchin agnaxtxichin ( https://www.stgeorgealaska.org/). A key component of this was the development of a new harbour. In December 2020, the US Federal Government passed the Water Resources Development Act approved St. George Harbor development. The bill will authorize $164 million for St. George’s navigation improvements. The project will provide for the operability, safety, and reliability of the St. George Harbor, as promised by the federal government, to aid the economic transition from fur seals to commercial fishing on the Pribilof Islands.

Read more here: https://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401845