A virtual series of Sustainable Infrastructure Workshops are being delivered this summer following the completion of triennial Asset Condition Reporting System (ACRS) inspections for communities in BC. These Sustainable Infrastructure Workshops are an extension of the Asset and Maintenance Management Workshops that the BC Region of Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) has been delivering since 2010 to support annual implementation of the Extended ACRS (E-ACRS).

The majority of communities across the BC Region have participated in these interactive workshops and feedback from participants has been exceptionally positive. The number of communities making use of Group 2 funding has increased exponentially, cross-department teams are being established within communities to achieve short and long term objectives, and neighbouring communities are working more closely together in their endeavours to maintain and renew local infrastructure. Many communities have used these workshops as a catalyst for initiating programs which staff are delivering in-house, to take deliberate steps toward caring for and renewing infrastructure in the most efficient ways possible. Lessons from thought leaders across the Region have been incorporated into an Asset Management Guide for BC First Nations, published in 2019.

A survey of BC Region communities has indicated that additional workshops on sustainable infrastructure management are the highest priority capacity-building initiatives desired. In response, ISC has continued workshop delivery in 2021, focusing on the communities in the Region undergoing their latest E-ACRS assessments.

As a result of COVID-19 realities, this year’s workshops will be offered weekly on a virtual platform, over the course of ten (10) weeks with a break during the summer months. Each module is roughly structured to include presentations by a facilitator, group discussion, facilitated activities to reinforce the concepts, and practical work to apply concepts from each module to be completed prior to the next weeks module. The workshop outline is included below. Kerr Wood Leidal Associates Ltd. will facilitate this workshop in partnership with ISC.

Workshop Objectives

The objectives of this Sustainable Infrastructure Workshop are to:

• Introduce the concepts of sustainable infrastructure and asset management;

• Bring staff together from across departments and communities;

• Share hands-on tools and proven techniques for managing assets;

• Create a shared understanding of the state of infrastructure in BC First Nation communities; and,

• Hear the stories of other BC communities implementing programs.

Who should attend?

 

Your staff are invited to attend a sustainable infrastructure workshop, with up to three (3) participants welcome. We encourage representation that spans community operations / public works, finance, housing, capital projects, planning, communications and Council. Those that have not attended a previous Sustainable Infrastructure Workshop will be given priority.

Workshop Agenda: Sustainable Infrastructure Workshop

 

The workshop includes ten modules delivered weekly over ten weeks. Each module will walk participants through a key element of an asset management program using a series of hands-on activities, discussions, and presentations. Examples of successful infrastructure management initiatives from BC Region First Nations communities will be shared throughout. Participants are asked to come prepared to participate for the ten weeks.
 

Week 1 (May 5th, 2021 8:30-11:30 am)

Module 1 – Introduction to Sustainable Infrastructure

 

Week 2 (May 12th, 2021 8:30-11:30 am)

Module 2 – State of Infrastructure Part 1

 

Week 3 (May 19th, 2021 8:30-11:30 am)

Module 3 – State of Infrastructure Part 2

 

Week 4 (May 26th, 2021 8:30-11:30 am)

Module 4a – Maximizing the Life of Existing Infrastructure

Module 4b – Building Your Team and Community Awareness

 

Week 5 (June 2nd, 2021 8:30-11:30 am)

Module 5 – AM Strategic Direction, Vision and Plan

 

Week 6 (September 8th, 2021 8:30-11:30 am)

Module 6 – Level of Service

 

Week 7 (September 15th, 2021 8:30-11:30 am)

Module 7 – Asset Management and Climate Change

 

Week 8 (September 22nd, 2021 8:30-11:30 am)

Module 8 – Risk and Prioritization

 

Week 9 (September 29th, 2021 8:30-11:30 am)

Module 9 – Knowing Our Financial Situation

 

Week 10 (October 6th, 2021 8:30-11:30 am)

Module 10 – Implementation

Workshop Wrap-Up

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Preparation for Workshop

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In preparation for the workshop, participants are encouraged to think about the following questions:

• What services does your community provide to members and leaseholders?

• What is your role (directly or indirectly) in supporting the delivery of these services?

• What infrastructure does the community own, operate and maintain?

• What is your community’s vision for the future?

Please come prepared to participate and have fun!

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All course documents will be provided at the link below. Please familiarize yourself with Box and practice downloading a few documents off of the website.
https://kwl.box.com/s/hidk1b946cl2xmlie7yort6uwd7euv8c

The Asset Management Guide for BC First Nations and the online supplementary materials are available at the link below. Please explore the website prior to the workshop series to familiarize yourself with the available information.
https://www.nautsamawt.org/assetmanagementguide

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Session Information and Requirements

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Each session will be held virtually via Zoom. An email will be sent out 24 hours prior to the scheduled weekly workshop. The email will include an outline for the current module, a Zoom link, and a digital participant package for the current module.

A computer with a microphone and audio capabilities and internet will be required to participate.

If you have any questions in regards to please contact Vanessa Ong of Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council at: (toll-free) 1-888-382-7711 or (e-mail) Vanessao@nautsamawt.com. We look forward to your participation.