Communications
The communications component of Phase I began with identifying key advisors, stakeholders, and potential project contributors, and outlining a schedule of outreach.
Outreach was scheduled in accordance with priorities in the planning and implementation of this project, ensuring that requests for assistance and contribution were timely and fully informed with the aims and expectations of project stakeholders, to succeed in reaching the project’s objectives.
Imush Q’uyatl’un
Through our outreach, we were granted permission to include the film “Imush Q’uyatl’un”, a collaboration between Puneluxutth’ elder Florence James and filmmaker, Karolle Wall. The film draws on Hul’q’umi’num’ words and song to document the interconnectivity of the human and non-human, with a focus on the eelgrass community at Xetthecum. This song represented the first example of multimedia content to be incorporated into our ecocultural map.
Gathering Hul’q’umi’num’ words and stories
We then aimed to include additional multimedia content (audio and/or video) to illustrate other facets of the ecological and cultural history of Retreat Cove. Because Hul’q’umi’num’ species names are a central component of the mapping framework, we moved forward with a focus on gathering audio recordings of Hul’q’umi’num’ words, in addition to place-based stories, through interviews.
This approach was appropriate given the regulations in place due to COVID, as it was possible, though not ideal, to gather this information remotely.
Building understanding and trust
Meetings were held with advisors and project stakeholders at regular intervals throughout Phase I of this project, to develop a common understanding and trust among those involved, clarifying the purpose and objectives of this project.
A list of project participants is provided in Table 1. Table 3 outlines key communications tasks undertaken during Phase I of the pilot project (note: many processes continued through Phase II).
Table 3. Phase I Communications Tasks
| Task | Start | End |
|---|---|---|
| Connect with potential advisors | November 2020 | January 2021 |
| Compile list of potential project stakeholders | November 2020 | December 2020 |
| Schedule outreach (Phase I, Phase II) | November 2020 | December 2020 |
| Compose project summary | December 2020 | December 2020 |
| Conduct Phase I outreach | December 2020 | January 2021 |
| Create preliminary project documentation | December 2020 | January 2021 |
| Plan project implementation (Phase II) | November 2020 | January 2021 |
| Submit Phase I material for review | January 2020 | January 2021 |
| Review advisor input - Phase I | January 2021 | January 2021 |