Announcing the Fall 2024 Culture Neighbourhood Small Grants

Pictured above are past Clayoquot Sound Neighbourhood Small Grants 

We’re excited to share this list of grass-roots community projects that received a Culture Neighbourhood Small Grants (NSG) this past fall cycle. A total of 18 projects were funded in the region!

As always, we would like to extend our gratitude to the West Coast Community Resources Society, our community partner, for creating the cheques for community members. NSG makes empowering, accessible opportunities for residents from all demographics to make their communities more inclusive, and vibrant places to live. Check out the projects below from the Clayoquot Sound NSG program and don’t hesitate to reach out to marianne@clayoquotbiosphere.org if you want to connect to a project leader.

Clayoquot Sound 2024 Fall Culture NSG Projects

Book launch - Christine Lowther, Tofino

This will be an event and reading to launch a blockade memoir. The events of the memoir are concerned with local history and local activism (both Indigenous and settler). Our community would not be what it is if the blockades to stop clearcutting had never happened. I hope this launch and the book itself will connect old timers with newcomers, locals with visitors, and remind settler-locals of the connection between us and ƛaʔuukwiiʔatḥ activists. How we came together to protect the rainforest in the ƛaʔuukwiiʔatḥ ha’huulthii, hišukiš čawaak.

Breath Matters: Breath on the 49th Parallel - Leah Morgan, Tofino

This project will explore the concept of four-way breathwork, connecting ecological and personal well-being. It will demonstrate:

1. How trees and ecosystems use breath-like processes.
2. Uses in the 49th parallel and its benefits.
3. Tree-human reciprocity in oxygen exchange.
4. The power of mindful breathing through yoga.

The project highlights the interconnectedness of humans and nature while promoting mindfulness and sustainability.

Bring Food to the Table in Your Neighbourhood - Anne Trillmich, Tofino

This project will host a community gathering for all residents of a new housing development in Tofino, who have moved in between April and November 2024. The goal is to celebrate the diverse cultural backgrounds of our new neighbours and build a welcoming, connected community. Each participant will bring a traditional dish from their cultural or family background to share, creating a cultural exchange over a communal meal. This 2025 spring event could serve as the first of many neighbourhood gatherings, with a vision of hosting an annual summer festival that continues to strengthen community ties.

Child Education - Jen, Ucluelet

This project will be an opportunity to bring together the neighbourhood kids from the Millstream area to explore and learn about the unique mudflats we call home. They will discover the incredible creatures and ecosystems thriving just outside our back doors. This event will foster curiosity, connection, and a deeper appreciation for the natural environment that surrounds us.

Community Café - Sophie L'Homme, Tofino

The two new Headwater affordable housing buildings have a total of 72 units. A lot of tenants in those units live alone or are isolated. Also, some of our residents have limited revenue. The Community Café would be a place where everyone is welcome to come hang out for free. This idea came after seeing a video on Instagram of a NYC couple transforming their apartment into a coffee shop for their friends once a month. We would transform the amenity room in the basement of North Headwaters into a little café.

Community Feast - Chuck Lucas, Hesquiaht

This project will bring residents of our remote community together for breakfast or lunch at the health center. With just 40 year-round residents and the challenge of high food costs due to our location being 60 minutes by boat, shared meals offer a vital opportunity for connection and support.

Drums - Grace George, Tofino

This project aims to provide appropriately sized drums for younger children, ensuring they can comfortably participate in drumming activities and performances.

From the Heart - Janessa McCarthy Frank, Ucluelet – Youth-led project

My project aims to unite the community through a sport that has brought people together for generations. It will offer an engaging activity for athletes, spectators, and children, promoting positive sportsmanship and community spirit. A keynote speaker will share insights on the value of sports in fostering positive values, and I’ll create posters to reinforce these messages, which will be displayed in our school gym.

Ladies Craft evenings - Lisa Morgan, Macoah

Macoah opens its community hall building every Tuesday evening and we offer craft evenings. The ladies of Macoah get together to come up with an idea for a craft...lately, it's been beaded items. Currently, we are working on making our own beaded Remembrance Day pin, a red and black beaded poppy.

Macoah in Beads - Sandra Gale Johnsen, Macoah

Our 'ladies’ beadwork group gathers for regular weekly sessions, where members continue to work on individual projects. The sessions start with a lesson on a specific type of beaded stitch which will result in necklaces, earrings, and decorative items. We then move on to discuss new patterns and tools that will enhance our projects. We then enjoy refreshments and lively conversation, strengthening both our skills and friendships through the shared art of beadwork. We've been working with beads and a few supplies left from 20 or so years ago. They are not the best quality but have been fine for the teaching part of the projects. We are now at a point where the skills have so improved that finer supplies will enhance the finished pieces of work.

Millstream Community BBQ and Recipe Exchange - Carol Sedgwick, Ucluelet

We will host a neighbourhood party in the Spring of 2025 in Millstream. Each household will be invited to share a favorite recipe and, if possible, a small sample of the dish. The stories behind these recipes will spark conversation and help neighbours connect. After the event, recipes will be compiled into a community recipe book, available in paper or electronic format.

Public Performance Workshop for Young Writers - Janice Lore, Tofino

The workshop will be a series of 4 weekly sessions, taking place at Ucluelet Secondary School as part of the Creative Writing club led by Heather Hendry. The participants will be secondary school students from Tofino, Ucluelet, and surrounding First Nations communities who are interested in creative expression through writing and performing their writing. The workshop will promote artistic expression and will be designed to help participants begin to feel comfortable performing in front of an audience and provide them the opportunity to take the public presentation of their work to a higher level, and so enhance their ability to connect with an audience. The participants will directly benefit from increased confidence by learning creative strategies for improving their public presentations. These strategies are life skills that have a broad application and will benefit participants in many areas of their lives. The audiences are beneficiaries as well, as the skills of the presenters enhance their enjoyment and engagement with the material being presented.

School Trees - Mollie Law, Tofino

The after-school garden club, supported by the garden club leader and the senior's group, will plant two new deciduous trees near the playground at Wick Elementary School. These small trees, with vibrant red fall foliage, will provide shade and beauty for the parents who gather by the benches and for the community who enjoy the playground year-round. This project also restores greenery lost during the school field expansion and enhances the space for everyone to enjoy.

Seniors Christmas Baskets - Frida, Ucluelet – Youth-led project

This past holiday season, seniors at Forest Glen in Ucluelet received festive care packages, each containing a Christmas mug, treats, a decoration, and a personalized card. With help from the Forest Glen facilitator, the packages were tailored to ensure every resident felt included and cared for, bringing warmth and joy during the holidays.

Skatepark BBQ Party – Reed, Ahousaht

This project is a dynamic and inclusive event celebrating community through skateboarding, art, music, and food. The event is designed to bring together people of all ages and backgrounds in a safe and supportive space at our local skatepark, providing free access to activities that foster creativity, physical activity, and connection. Highlights include open skate sessions, beginner lessons with professional skaters, free barbecue meals, live music by local youth artists, and interactive art activities like screen printing and mural painting.

Ukee's Masterchef Jr - Lindsay McCarthy, Ucluelet – Youth-led project

This project will bring together five teams of two in an engaging cooking competition designed to teach youth valuable culinary skills. Using simple, easy-to-follow recipes, participants will learn how to prepare nutritious meals, such as a healthy breakfast.

Volunteer Fair - Iris Sylvester, Ucluelet – Youth-led project

This event will be a job fair-style volunteer recruitment initiative aimed at inspiring young people to get involved in their community. Designed to showcase a variety of local organizations and opportunities, the event will highlight the importance of volunteers in supporting small communities. By participating, youth will not only contribute to meaningful causes but also expand their skills, build connections, and strengthen their sense of belonging within their home community.

Youth Fantasy Stock Market Challenge - Colby Hale, Tofino – Youth-led project

My idea is to host a fantasy stock market challenge to teach youth the basics of investing and financial literacy. Once a month we will meet to discuss standings and get a feel for how everyone is doing. 65% of kids on the West Coast have jobs and disposable income, it's important to equip them with the knowledge to make their money work for them. Given the high cost of living in our area, learning how to invest and manage finances is a valuable skill.