Learning Communities Policy think tank held in Cranbrook BC
On November 2-4, 2003, HRDC's Learning Policy Directorate hosted a small gathering of invited guests to discuss their "lifelong learning policy framework". Participants were provided with a number of documents before the sessions and asked to discuss a set of questions at the session. These questions included:
- What do we mean by Learning Communities?
- What are the emerging Learning Community models and do any hold particular relevance for the Canadian context?
- What are the critical enabling factors for learning at the community level?
- What happens when you introduce learning as an organizing principle in the community?
- How does learning need to be positioned to ensure sustainable economic and social development?
- What are the elements of a national framework to enable the development of learning communities?
The event was held in Cranbrook BC and participants stayed at the Delta St Eugene Mission School, a completely renovated and modern hotel complex owned by the Ktunaxa/Kinbasket Tribal Council. From Chief Sophie Pierre we learned that this former residential school was opened 9 months ago by the people from Ktunaxa/Kinbasket Tribal Council. Nestled in the Rocky Mountain Valley surrounded by the mountains this very special site hosts a world famous golf course, a casino, meeting rooms and the interpretative centre. Click here to visit the interpretative centre web site and meet Isaac Birdstone for a tour of the old mission school and learn about the heritage of the people from this region.