Lillooet Learning Communities Society was established in 2002 in support of life long learning of individuals and community groups.
Lillooet Learning Communities Society (Lillooet Learns!) was established under the BC Societies Act in 2001 to support the lifelong learning of individuals and community groups. The organization creates an enduring, learning community by promoting learning in all forms, for the benefit of all people in Lillooet and St’át’imc communities.
The founding constitution requires a Board of 50% St’át’imc members and is led by a consensus decision-making approach.
An initial 3-year federal grant was awarded to Lillooet Learns, with community partners such as the Lillooet Area Library Association, Lillooet Tribal Council, University College of the Cariboo, School District 74 Gold Trail, and the District of Lillooet to provide training and programming for early-childhood educators. Workshops on agriculture, community justice, drug and alcohol awareness, and FASD prevention were offered.
Lillooet Learns creates an enduring, learning community by promoting learning in all forms, for the benefit of all people in Lillooet and St’át’imc communities. The organization aims to create a community of life-long learners, bridge partners through collaboration, and lead initiatives that impact communities to be inclusive, respectful, equitable, and striving for reconciliation while working toward growing local economies to be resilient and sustainable.
In 2002, the Restorative Justice Program was started to repair harm done in communities through community accountability circles and Alternatives to Violence training. Through this time, Lillooet Learns continued offering education on FASD, developed a ‘What if I get into Trouble’ program for youth, and a mentorship training program for volunteer youth mentors.
Lillooet Learns supported small community groups with administration, so new non-profit groups did not have to be created for their projects, such as:
From 2018 to 2019, an innovative new project was developed by a Community Coordinator (Kim North) to address the common challenges of many local non-profit organizations and community groups. This was how the ‘Lillooet Community Connect Innovation HUB’ (the HUB) was born. The HUB was designed as a social enterprise that could help the non-profit sector share resources, working space, and create opportunities for new revenue that could further support social missions.
Since the inception of the HUB, Lillooet Learns has been able to support more collaboration between local organizations and increase capacity in the local non-profit sector.
Encouraging a culture of learning and creativity enhances community wellness.
True St’át’imc partnership is active and participatory (going beyond allyship).
Collaboration of diverse partners increases capacity for healthy community development.
Individual participation in active citizenship leads to equitable and inclusive communities.
By working together, St’át’imc and Lillooet people can solve community challenges.
Restorative practices increase individual and public safety.
Decolonized justice and education opportunities lead to a better life for all community members.
The arts support resilient, creative, and empowered communities.
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Contribute to Lillooet Learning Communities Society’s programs and initiatives by becoming a member or donating.
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