Experiencing a place, Envisioning a landscape, Empowering a people: The story of developing a community venture with the Siksika Nation Youth Entrepreneurial Development Society

As part the ongoing effort of the Siksika Nation Youth Entrepreneurial Development Society to encourage business training and educational opportunities for the youth of the Siksika reserve, a project to develop a business incubation facility and supporting landscape was initiated.;Through a process which evolved from listening to, and learning with, the Siksika youth about their land, their community, their elders and about entrepreneurialism, the designer and the youth, gained knowledge which enabled them to mutually define experiential goals which were desired of the facility and lands. From these goals the vision arose to use the lands for a community garden venture, to be operated by Siksika youth to serve their community.;In order to realize this vision, the process continued to evolve with the development of the garden. The youth and the designer conducted a research and feasibility study, worked at existing community gardens, prepared a business plan and organizational structure and prepared the lands for a 3 acre garden. A celebratory opening day saw the Siksika community, the Siksika Chief and Council, elders and school children all participate in the planting of trees and the tilling of the land.;This process will continue to evolve, and the vision will continue to grow, as the youth proceed with the operation, management and creation of their community market garden.