Nak’azdli Community Vision Plan: Planning for Our Future

Nak’azdli Whut’en is taking an important step toward shaping our future together. 

We’ve started a planning process that will help guide the direction of our community in the years ahead,                                                                                   

and we want every member to know what this is about, why it matters, and how you can be part of it.

What is a Community Vision Plan?

A Community Vision Plan (CVP) is a document that helps a community come together around a shared vision. This is our CVP, and it reflects who we are and what is most important to us. This plan has been developed based on feedback from the community and identifies community priorities that can form the foundation of future decision making.

This plan is meant to be high-level, and it is only step-one in the planning process. This plan sets the stage for a more detailed Strategic Plan and departmental plans (i.e Land Use Plan) that will follow. The goal of this plan is to document community priorities so we can be proactive in shaping our own path instead of reacting to outside pressures.

Our CVP was created by the community, for the community. It helps Chief and Council, staff, and all community members stay focused on what matters most.

In short, our CVP helps Nak'azdli:

• Plan for the future we want.
• Protect our values and way of life.
• Make decisions that reflect our priorities.
• Use our time and resources wisely.
• Open the door to new opportunities that are still grounded in our ways.

The CVP is our guide. It reminds us of where we come from, and where we are going, together.

Why Are We Doing This?

Our community is growing and changing. We face both challenges and opportunities. Now is the time to come together and decide what’s most important to us, as a community, as families, and as individuals.

To support this, Nak’azdli Whut’en is working with BDO Canada to develop two key planning documents:

1. A Community Vision Plan (CVP):

A CVP is a big-picture, long-term plan shaped by Nak’azdli values and voices. It will reflect our shared vision for the future and identify what matters most to our community. This plan is a community driven document built through collecting input with Nak’azdli members, leaders, managers, Elders, youth, and staff, with support from BDO Canada.

2. A 5-Year Strategic Plan:

The Strategic Plan takes the big ideas from the CVP and turns them into a five-year action plan. While the CVP sets the vision, the Strategic Plan focuses on action. It will outline what Nak’azdli will do strategically over the next five years to begin bringing the community’s goals to life. The plan should include specific projects, resources, responsibilities, and timelines.

Together, the CVP and Strategic Plan will support future decision-making, help secure funding, align department efforts, and make sure all planning is rooted in Nak’azdli voices and values.

How Can You Get Involved? 

Nak’azdli Whut’en community members are at the heart of this planning process. Every voice matters. This plan needs to reflect the experiences, concerns, and ideas of Nak’azdli Whut’en members. Here’s how you can get involved:

• Attend events and engagement sessions
• Talk to the Community Champion Elsa Berland, who is helping connect the project to community members
• Reach out to the BDO team at jfell@bdo.ca if you want to share a story, concern, or idea.
• Follow this page for updates, timelines, and opportunities to engage and review drafts
• Review the Draft CVP that is linked below under “Community Vision Plan for 2025 Draft for Review” and provide any feedback to Elsa Berland at elsa.berland@nakazdliwhuten.ca

Our Partners in this Work: BDO

Nak’azdli is working closely with a team from BDO Canada to support us in this process. Their role is to support us throughout this process, share best practices for the planning process and to help facilitate the information gathering for the plan.