Joint Initiative Between the Williams Lake First Nation and Scout Island Nature Centre Leads to New Signage

Courtesy of the Williams Lake First Nation:

Visitors to Scout Island will notice a new sign that has been installed near the Nekw7usem Bridge located in the heart of Williams Lake. 

This is the beginning of a joint initiative between the Williams Lake First Nation (WLFN) and the Scout Island Nature Centre to develop and display Indigenous knowledge and content on Scout Island. In collaboration between the two partners, signs will continue to be installed throughout the upcoming months at Scout Island. 

These signs are to bring awareness to those using the trails about wildlife, plants and the environment of Scout Island, through an Indigenous lens. 

“WLFN is thrilled to be working collaboratively with the Scout Island Nature Centre. WLFN believes it is important to educate the public on indigenous plants and animals, and what better place to do that then Scout Island” states Kukpi7 (Chief ) Willie Sellars. “

The Centre is excited to be working with the Williams Lake First Nation to bring additional information to the public about indigenous knowledge of plants and animals. He says they have received several requests from the public for this information and look forward to building it into their nature education programs and signage” states Ordell Steen, a Scout Island Nature Centre Director

Scout Island - A Year Later...

At the August 31st, 2010 WL Council "Committee of the Whole" Meeting - both Fred McMechan and Sue Hemphill from the WL Field Naturalists appeared before WL Council to discuss increased funding for operating Scout Island - see their letter here and the notes I took at that meeting here

Their request was subsequently referred to the October 27th, 2010 Central Cariboo Joint Committee meeting where the request of the WL Field Naturalists (increased funding for Scout Island Nature Centre) was simply received pending development of a Joint Fee-for-Service program which may include additional funding of Scout Island.  This Joint Fee for Service program was presented as a late item for information at the September 14th, 2011 Central Cariboo Joint Committee meeting and will be further discussed at the October 26th, 2011 Central Cariboo Joint Committee meeting.  See the report from Brian Carruthers on a Joint Fee for Service program (scroll down to Page 197) here

As a City resident that frequently makes use of Scout Island and its service - I don't believe the WL Field Naturalists should have to be forced to wait for a year or more to know if their request will be fully considered or not.  As they note in their letter - they wish comparable financial treatment that taxpayers give to the local Museum of the Cariboo-Chilcotin

I would argue that because the service that the WL Field Naturalists provide to operate the Scout Island Nature Centre and attracts more tourists then go to the Museum and because the costs are going up to operate this site and for many additional reasons - they should get the money required to operate the site immediately and not be forced to operate with "breadcrumbs" while waiting a year or longer for the politicians (City of WL/CRD) to make up their mind

This WL Councillor candidate feels quite strongly that the WL Field Naturalist request for increased funding warrants action today and not delay upon delay and if elected - I will aggressively push to have their funding request expedited for action including finding money for any capital items at Scout Island that needs to be funded (ie: Furnace, etc) in addition to creating a strategic plan for Scout Island itself for the next 10 years to ensure Scout Island becomes "the crown jewel" of the Central Cariboo and is sustainable - both from an environmental and financial point of view


SBF