Linda Morven

Tell us about your work in your community

As Chief Executive Officer, it is within my area of responsibility to oversee economic development ventures/initiatives for the Nisga'a Village Government and community. The program will strengthen my skills in this regard.

Tell us a story about a time you brought people together to improve your community.

I am a community builder and involved in the community in various capacities. One of bigger events that I helped organize was our Hoobiyee - our annual Nisga'a New Year celebration that rotates between the 4 Nisga'a communities. I oversaw the planning from start to finish including the invitations, communicating with other dance groups including external groups, setting the program, fundraising, and all other aspects that were involved with a successful celebration.

What problems are you trying to solve?

Bringing life to the economic opportunities in the Official Community Plan and Tourism Strategy, and building an economic development strategy.

What do you need to learn how to do in order to solve those problems?

All of the pieces are there to expand on initiatives, however, developing a business case for each initiative will significantly strengthen applications for funding and successful implementaiton.

What are the most powerful questions you need to ask right now?

Developing employment opportunities and ventures for the community thereby reducing unemployment and dependency. How do we build the independence within the community to increase capacity and associated infrastructure at all levels?

If we all worked together, what do you imagine that we could achieve in the next five to ten years?

There's no limit to what we can achieve by networking and working together. We can make the "Main Street" vision of the Nisga'a Village of Gitwinksihlkw a reality. This is where economic ventures and the community can thrive.