Blanca Surgeon — Small Places, Big Successes

Blanca Surgeon, based in New Mexico, is the Building Rural Communities Training Coordinator with the Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC). Blanca has worked with rural communities and Native American Nations across the western U.S. on rural community leadership and economic development.          

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Attracting Young People to Rural Communities

Many rural BC communities find themselves growing every greyer. The need to attract young, urban, entrepreneurial newcomers to communities facing a demographic crisis looms as increasingly important. In this presentation, BC Rural Centre communications director Randy Morse, joined by Kaslo, BC mayor Suzan Hewatt and Escape the City contest winner Rochelle Longval discuss what it…

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The Forest Sector & Rural Communities

BC Rural Centre Executive Director Gordon Borgstrom and BC Community Forest Association Executive Director Jennifer Gunter discuss trends, challenges, and opportunities of importance to forestry-dependent rural BC communities and First Nations in this presentation.     For more on forestry issues, visit our Forestry page.         

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Common Interests, Common Purpose

Splatsin First Nation councillor George William and Lumby mayor Kevin Acton discuss how their respective communities came together to create the Monashee Community Forest — and in the process began to build a greater awareness of the similarities between the First Nation and village, and explore further opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation and collaboration.  

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Aboriginal Business Success Stories

Aboriginal business success stories

From the desert vineyards of Southern British Columbia, to the frozen tundra high above the Arctic Circle; from the urban centre of Winnipeg to the rocky shores of Newfoundland, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis are establishing and promoting business ventures and partnerships that will provide long term employment and benefits for years to come.  

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Telemedicine Connects Rural Patients Nearing the End of Life

Telemedicine can provide rural patients access to palliative care in their homes

Palliative care is one of many areas of pressing rural need. In this PBS video, we’re introduced to a video conferencing approach being tested in rural northern California that holds significant promise for providing ongoing care for patients who choose to face serious medical and emotional issues as they approach end of life.    …

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