Island Connections is a project that aims to connect Islanders interested in fostering sustainable ways of living through a sharing of information and ideas, facilitated by a network of privately owned boats. The initial phase was aimed at establishing the network of vessels and holding two or three pilot runs. During these pilot runs we established and developed a shared agenda of collaboration between like-minded people and organizations on British Columbia’s Salish Sea Islands.
Pilot trips
On August 8th, 2012 there was a gathering from all the islands at Montague Harbour on Galiano – the location of historical gatherings of Salish Sea First Nations. The goal was to:
“discuss rebuilding the kind of inter-island communication, cooperation, sharing, trade, and transportation that previously existed between the Salish Sea Islands, potentially to be facilitated by an organized network of existing small boats, and in other ways. This could support our communities to become not only more sustainable, but also more resilient, self-sufficient, and economically relocalized, with all the local islands invited to cooperate.” This includes key issues like local food growing, renewable energy, affordable housing, alternative transportation, and community arts & wellbeing .
(Illustration by Jim Traversy from Mayne Island).
The Agenda: Sharing ideas, celebrating successes
9:15 Intro Introduction to the day & process: Fay Weller – Facilitator
9:30 Economics done differently: Ed Andrusiak and Mike Hoebel – Development of a Green Economy, discussion
10:00 Energy: Bob McKechnie – Sustainable Gabriola’s energy initiative, discussion
Break
10:30 Transportation (Land and Sea)
Victor Anthony – Gabriola Green Bikes, Discussion
Wharfs, Moorings and derelict vessels – a skipper’s perspective: Peter Binner
11:30 Housing: Tom Hennessey – Galiano Affordable Housing
Discussion: what’s happening on other islands?
Noon – Lunch: potluck or on your own
1:00 Connecting the Arts Organizations on the islands
Discussion
1:30 Collaborative Sharing/Connecting the Dots
Christian Nally – Active Islands website
Christa Grace-Warwick – Connecting the dots
Discussion
2:15 Collaborative action
Derek Masselink – collaborating with others
Burtt Fidler – Save Our Shores (oil tanker protest)
Zorah Starr: Pender Community Transition
Dinner: Potluck & Music