Carden Consulting

Native Education College Public Designation Feasibility Study (2011)

admin — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 04:09:15 +0000

Laara Mixon worked with Michael Izen to develop the Native Education College Public Designation Feasibility Study. This included secondary and primary research, using several methods including interviews, survey’s, and focus groups to guide the Board.

First Nations Supervisors Toolkit, Delivered By NVIT (2011)

admin — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 04:08:41 +0000

Laara Mixon wrote this supervisors toolkit for the Coastal First Nations Great Bear Initiate Supervisors Certificate Training Program, delivered by the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology. The intent of the toolkit is to develop the capacity of the Coastal First Nations of Metlakatla, Bella Bella, Haida Gwaii, and Prince George who are developing shellfish corporations.

VCC Interim Director of Aboriginal Education & Services Contract (Jul 2009 – Dec 2010)

admin — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 04:07:52 +0000

Laara worked on a contract basis as the Interim Director of Aboriginal Education. Key outcomes that have influenced indigenization within the VCC:

Research based Strategic Plan 2010-2013, redrafting of all department staff roles and responsibilities, new accountability measures that resulted in a 20% increase in enrollment within six months, and 200% increase in graduation rates;
Enhanced Program Support (Aboriginal Curriculum Design and Development Framework)
Facilitating Teaching Aboriginal Higher Learner Workshop Development & Delivery (310 faculty to date);
New Aboriginal website & Aboriginal college preparedness video (role models & resiliency);
Community integrated planning, including the establishment of an Aboriginal Art Acquisition Committee (Strategy, Terms of Reference, and BC Bid RFP).

Coastal Corridor Consortium (2008 – 2009)

admin — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 04:06:44 +0000

Laara Mixon developed the Consortium’s unique business model, governance policies, implementation plan and each consecutive year’s strategic plan for the 1.2 million annual budget that has realized strong outcomes. The Consortium operates as an unincorporated society that supports meaningful decision making authority by the Aboriginal communities in post-secondary education with public post-secondary institutes.

In 2008 the scope of work involved facilitating the annual strategic planning as well as research (as published on the new site www.coastalcorridorcosortium.ca) including:

Research and Report on Aboriginal Higher Learning Exemplary Practices,
Consortium Aboriginal Community Post Secondary Needs Framework,
Aboriginal Adult Instructor Diploma Program Discussion Paper & partnership development to facilitate program development
Intellectual Property Protocol Agreement for Consortium Partners
Teaching Aboriginal Higher Learners Professional Development Workbook and Workshop, this was recognized in November 2009 by the Association of Canadian Community Colleges to support national strategies, delivered to Nova Scotia Community Colleges, and at the 2010 Challenging the Paradigm Conference for participants from across Canada.

Nation Building through Governance Training and Policy Development (2007- Present)

admin — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 04:05:19 +0000

This project for the Musqueam Indian Band included facilitating a series of meetings with the Musqueam Chief and Council to develop comprehensive governance policies, and new councilor orientation handbook. In 2008/09, the final phases of the governance policy was completed, focusing on Council Relationship to Membership Policies, alignment of Administration policies, annual policy review, and training parliamentarians.

Additional work has continued for this project for components of the Administrative Polices, additional department policies and planning.

Musqueam Interpretive Centre Business Plan (2008) and Business Case for a Musqueam Interpretive Centre (2007)

admin — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 04:04:43 +0000

Following on an earlier cultural scan that we completed for the Musqueam Indian Band, Carden Consulting prepared the business case for a Musqueam interpretive centre, and the resulting business plan / pro-forma financial projections for the Centre.

Tourism Opportunities for Aboriginal Youth in the GVRD (2007) and the VCC Aboriginal Culinary Arts Program (2007)

admin — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 04:04:03 +0000

On behalf of the Musqueam Indian Band, and following a preliminary cluster analysis of the Lower Mainland region, Laara undertook a comprehensive quantitative and qualitative research study on Aboriginal youth employment opportunities in the Lower Mainland. This study included qualitative research of local First Nations communities/ Aboriginal youth in the GVRD, high-value employer needs, and identified labour market needs. Supported by the study Laara completed a detailed proposal that resulted in the VCC Aboriginal Culinary Arts Program.

Aboriginal Engagement Handbook for the Community Futures Development Association of BC (2006)

admin — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 04:03:29 +0000

Carden Consulting designed this relationship-building handbook as a tool for the Community Futures Development Corporation managers and the Community Futures Development Association BC Aboriginal Steering Committee. The purpose of the handbook was to support local and regional economic development initiatives being undertaken by Aboriginal peoples in BC.

Cultural Protection Policy & Handbook (2004-2009)

admin — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 04:02:50 +0000

This traditional knowledge project developed a process that was intended to support the control, planning, and development of traditional knowledge as intellectual property. This project included the development of an IP Handbook for the Musqueam Nation. This project also included the application of the Musqueam Indian Band as the first, First Nation in Canada, to apply for an official mark, which was approved shortly before the 2010 Winter Games.

Cultural Scan (2005)

admin — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 04:02:12 +0000

Carden Consulting facilitated and documented a community cultural scan for the Musqueam Indian Band. Included in the scan was planning for a social- inclusion project such as a Musqueam cultural centre intended to support Musqueam cultural revitalization, citizen engagement, and community development that initiated the development of the traditional knowledge protections (policies, procedures, and tools).