WINTER 2009 Rural Report Rural Immigration: Big Changes to Small Places by Jill Bucklaschuk and Monika Sormova

ural is becoming increasingly diverse as immigration continues to be an important strategy to address demographic R challenges and labour shortages. Rural communities face challenges around infrastructure, funding, and the provision of public services that can make it difficult to successfully attract and retain immigrants. These challenges have an impact on how well or to what degree rural communities are able to provide services for the economic and social integration of immigrants.

In May 2007, RDI embarked on a new It is estimated that more than half of the research initiative building on past rural foreign workers have been approved for immigration projects. Interest in further Provincial Nominee status while the other developing knowledge on rural immigra- half is in the process of applying. Upon tion emerged from observing recent demo- receiving Provincial Nominee status, for- graphic changes in the city of Brandon as eign workers can initiate family reunifica- nearly 1,000 temporary foreign workers tion; it is anticipated that more than 3,400 have arrived to work at Maple Leaf Foods. continued on page 2 E-Publications Launched Pali Rao / istockphoto.com by Ryan Gibson and Sylvia Henry over 40 years of collecting aerial and re- In this issue motely sensed images that depict the geog- Director’s Message 2 DI launched two e-books raphy of . Over 550 images were and celebrated a new selected for presentation. The “remoteness” Collaborating to Improve Northern 3 edition of the online journal of the sensing varies from a few tens of Access to Health Services R metres (from building tops) to hundreds of at an Open House in September 2008. Communities Connect in Regional 4 kilometres (from satellites). The aim was to The electronic book (e-book) format use remotely sensed images to display and Round Tables has many advantages, such as the describe the geography of Manitoba which Invasive Plant Species Grow at 5 ability to be continually edited/updated would be made readily and freely avail- Alarming Rate and publications are freely available able to all interested people. The electronic online to all. format provides a dynamic and interactive Opinion Corner: Rural Poverty 5 environment for the reader and has already Manitoba from the Air: A Geographi- been introduced in classrooms. Strengthening International 6 cal Interpretation by John Welsted (Pro- The collection is intended as a com- Collaboration on Rural Policy fessor Emeritus, Department of Geography, panion to The Geography of Manitoba: Brandon University) is the culmination of continued on page 3 Increasing Leafy Spurge Awareness 6 through Collaboration

Understanding the Mobility Patterns 7 of Today’s Youth Editorial Team Marian Beattie, Sylvia Henry, Bev Lischka, Growing the Diverse RDI Team 8 Alison Moss, Beth Peers Director’s Message by Robert C. Annis researchers both at In 2008, RDI published fourteen reports and Brandon University and discussion papers, two editions of the online elcome to the Winter 2009 from other institutions. Journal of Rural and Community Development edition of the Rural Report. 2008 saw the comple- and two e-books. RDI representatives were W I am pleased to provide an tion of two multi-year invited to present at twenty-eight conferences update of our projects and the Rural Develop- projects, one on com- and workshops: three international, eighteen ment Institute’s (RDI) team. RDI’s research munities collaborating national, six provincial and one local. and community development activities are regionally to achieve External funding, which is the majority conducted by individuals from a variety of aca- common goals and the of RDI’s funding, is critical to the Institute’s demic disciplines and by community develop- other studying access success as a rural research institute. In ad- ment practitioners with skills and experience to health services in northern Manitoba and dition to the many project funders, Manitoba in rural research and community development. . We also completed a study of Agriculture, Food & Rural Initiatives provides Beverley Lischka supports the operation and youth mobility in selected regions of Manitoba $100,000 per year to support RDI’s research, management of RDI and Sylvia Henry provides on behalf of Rural Team Manitoba. RDI ac- community development initiatives and support for the projects. Students are integral tively worked to facilitate cooperation with our knowledge mobilization. In 2008, the Institute’s to RDI. By assisting with projects and activities, groups across Western Canada as they dealt external funding was more than $800,000 students have opportunities to work in the field with invasive plants species and we also un- which represented seventy-eight percent of and to develop and present findings through dertook a project which aimed to increase the the total funding. To our funders, thank you for discussion papers, reports and presentations. adoption of beneficial management practices to your continued support. During this past year we have been fortunate combat spurge, an invasive plant. In 2008, RDI This is the last Rural Report that I will issue. to have three Master of Rural Development continued to study rural immigration, especially On June 30, 2009, I will step away from being students and five undergraduate students temporary foreign workers in Brandon. RDI’s Director. I have been privileged in my engaged in RDI projects. A Faculty of Arts An important aspect of RDI’s mandate is mo- ten years as Director to associate with many student is also engaged as the current Brandon bilization of knowledge. For several years RDI outstanding contributors to rural research and University Community Outreach Coordinator. has provided open-access through its website community development. To all of you, thank Over the past months, RDI has been engaged so that rural citizens, community and govern- you for the opportunities and friendships. with many stakeholders in rural and northern ment leaders and other interested people are I will undoubtedly still encounter you from time communities in western Canada, as well as able to access our reports, discussion papers, to time. with government representatives and academic presentations and other pertinent information.

Rural Immigration: Big Changes to Small Places continued from front page lenges, information gaps, and the need for support of Manitoba Labour and Immigra- building collaborative partnerships. The tion and the Inner-City Research family members will arrive in Brandon by purpose of the group is to create a forum Alliance, this project develops an under- 2011. In light of these estimates, the city of that encourages open discussion and de- standing of ethnocultural groups, what Brandon can anticipate 5,140 new resi- velops a network of expertise and knowl- they need to be vibrant and successful, and dents in the next two years, representing edge sharing. To date there have been five the challenges they face as a community. nearly 12% of its total current population meetings focusing on such topics as roles Developing strong, resourceful ethnocul- (41,511). and responsibilities of key stakeholders, tural communities contributes to success- Demographic analyses and popula- issues of settlement and service provision, ful settlement of newcomers and leads to tion projections are the foundation of the and experiences of family reunification. more inclusive, active communities. This research project, providing information Partnering with industry has proven to be project is multi-phased and adopts a case to community leaders, service provid- an effective means to share information study approach. The first phase explored ers, and policy makers. This research also on recruitment efforts, hiring practices, ethnocultural organizations and related seeks to identify the implications of rapid and settlement strategies. The value of non-government organizations in Brandon demographic change on rural communities, increased communication and information while the second phase focuses on Stein- service providers, and public infrastructure sharing has benefited all involved in the bach. The results of each case study will within a framework that explores the con- group. Visit www.brandonu.ca/rdi/tfw.asp be compared to develop a comprehensive cept of ‘welcoming communities’. for more information. analysis of what is needed for ethnocultural The RDI Temporary Foreign Worker The Ethnocultural Organizations and organizations and communities to become Dialogue Group was established in Sep- Communities research project was initi- or remain vibrant and active elements of tember 2007, resulting from discussions ated by RDI in January 2008. The project Manitoba’s increasingly diverse rural com- with government, community, and industry explores ethnocultural communities and munities. For more information visit www. representatives about communication chal- organizations in rural Manitoba. With the brandonu.ca/rdi/ethnocultural.asp. 2 | Rural Report • Winter 2009 Rural Development Institute Rural Report

E-Publications Launched continued from front page The e-book can be found at http://revital- ization.brandonu.ca/. Its Land and Its People (Edited by John Welsted, John Everitt, & Christoph Stadel, Doug Ramsey (Associate Professor, De- 1997) with the topics presented in the same partment of Rural Development, Brandon order. Welsted’s collection was the basis of University) announced the release of the the e-book; however, it was supplemented latest issue of the Journal of Rural and by other images obtained specifically for Community Development (JRCD) at the e-book. RDI’s Open House. The new issue focuses The e-book can be accessed at http:// on adaptation to climate and environmental mbair.brandonu.ca/. change in rural Canada. The impacts of climate change are increasingly dominating Revitalization: Fate and Choice is the policy discourse around the world, and the outcome of five years of joint research by JRCD offers some insights from the rural Canadian and Japanese social researchers, Canadian perspective. working on rural revitalization in the Can- factors characterizing rural devitalization The JRCD includes a range of subject ada-Japan Project. The e-book was edited and influencing the likelihood of revital- areas, such as: economic restructuring by Leonard P. Apedaile (Professor Emeri- ization in the future were not as great as and diversification; social capital, capac- tus, University of Alberta) and Nobuhiro expected, despite the apparent and definite ity and cohesion; resource development Tsuboi (Professor, Agricultural Economics historical differences between Japan and and environmental condition; community (retired), Tsukuba University, Japan). The Canada. Second, revitalization is a choice; and regional development; local economic e-book is an investigation of concrete mat- continuing devitalization is not fate. Third, development; condition (health, well-being, ters of investment, social capital, effective- revitalization seems to be mostly about quality of life, sustainability); gender issues ness of volunteering, the rural household reorganization of rural assets and human in development; land-use, environmental economy, governance and policy issues. energies to increase productivity and there- and community planning; and rural gover- Three fundamental themes emerge in fore to strengthen rural claims on global nance and service provision. this e-book. First, the real differences in income and wealth. Access the journal at www.jrcd.ca. Collaborating to Improve Northern Access to Health Services by Alison Moss and Fran Racher ing difficulties associated with navigating munity members, service providers and the health care system from a community government representatives. Inclusion Community health and wellness is perspective enhances the potential to gener- of personal experiences and community directly linked to the availability of health ate meaningful and appropriate solutions. knowledge to empower participants is a services and the capacity to access those Emphasis is on understanding the unique fundamental principle of participatory ac- services. Accessing health services in needs of isolated communities in the north, tion research. Participatory action research northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan can as policies developed in the south often are is a type of research activity that values be fraught with difficulty, often owing to not a good ‘fit’ in the north. the process through which awareness and large distances, with sparse populations dis- Researchers conducted conversations, consciousness of issues is raised. Cre- tributed over vast geography. Understand- interviews and focus groups with com- continued on page 8

MB/SK Cross-Border workshop participants. April 16 & 17, 2008 Saskatoon, SK

Rural Development Institute Rural Report • Winter 2009 | 3 Communities Connect in Regional Round Tables by Marian Beattie Yukon Regional Round Table members draw their vision RDI’s involvement in multi-community regional collaborations began in 1999 when it facilitated the formation of the Northern Vision Regional Round Table in north- ern Manitoba. Over the next four years, RDI facilitated the formation of two more regional round tables in Manitoba and a fourth regional round table that crossed the boundaries of Manitoba and . RDI then articulated the community develop- ment practices and lessons learned had emerged in Manitoba/Nunavut into a vision and model for the Community Collabora- tion Model Project. With funding from the Government of Canada’s Rural Secretariat, RDI facilitated the establishment of new regional round tables in Saskatchewan and Secretariat enabled regional round table the Yukon. members to meet face-to-face and to create The Community Collaboration Model the relationships and partnerships that were Project provided a unique opportunity to foundational to the collaborative process. continue to interact with the Manitoba The Rural Secretariat’s funding was an regional round tables to learn more about investment that allowed for flexibility regional round table sustainability. Lessons and decision-making within each regional emerged from this multi-community col- round table. The in-kind contributions of laborative process with eighty-five com- the regional round table communities were munities, six regional round tables, three pivotal to the overall success of the project, Rural Teams and four academic institutions not only from the hard dollar value, but participating in the project. also intrinsically because they quantified the trust, relationship, partnership and ca- Partnerships and Capacity Development pacity building that occurred. This project Over the past nine years, the project dem- illustrated that governments need to see onstrated that developing trusting and val- that investing in community development ued relationships and partnerships within processes is an appropriate use of public and between communities, governments funds and move from funding deliverables and academic institutions requires persis- to supporting capacity development. tence, deliberate effort, time, resources, and committed skilled and sustained leadership. Community Development Practice, its founding organizations. The Yukon Re- Communities need to overcome historic Research and Policy gional Round Table is a first-ever inclusive rivalries for attention and resources from RDI’s collaborative research approach community-based regional organization government. Governments need to better ensured that each regional round table that includes First Nations, incorporated manage files horizontally across depart- determined its unique vision, and through and non-incorporated communities. The ments and across governments. Academic the community collaboration process Bayline Regional Round Table in northern institutions need to find new and creative developed infrastructure and processes to Manitoba is a strong regional organization ways to engage the human and capital achieve goals and objectives. The regional that has made a difference in food security resources of universities and colleges with round tables connected to governments for its member communities. However, the communities. and academic institutions in new and dif- work is not completed; this project demon- ferent ways and similarly, governments strated the need for continuing the research Resources and academic institutions engaged with to investigate multi-community collabora- Resources, both human and financial, communities in ways that had not been tions and regional governance. were critical to the success of regional initiated before. The WaterWolf Regional For further detail on the Community round tables’ formation and sustainabil- Round Table in Saskatchewan was able to Collaboration Model Project, visit www. ity. The funding provided by the Rural dream large and go beyond the mandates of brandonu.ca/rdi/ccp.asp. 4 | Rural Report • Winter 2009 Rural Development Institute Rural Report

Invasive Plant Species Grow at Alarming Rate by Karen Rempel established and a major source of fuel for grass fires. The threat of invasive species is con- Karen Rempel, RDI Research Affiliate, tinuing to grow at an alarming rate. The and staff members Sylvia Henry, impacts of these foreign species include Bev Lischka, and Rural Development the loss of native plant and animal species, graduate student, Paige Rushton McDougall, high economic costs to eradicate or control organized the forum and contribute to data the spread, the degradation of riparian or entry and maintenance of the PRIPS website. terrestrial habitats and increased risk of en- Karen Rempel is also leading the coordina- vironmental hazards including fire and loss tion of the network and the development of water quality. For nearly a decade, RDI of the Collaborative Network for Invasive Prairie Region Invasive Plant Species has helped coordinate and facilitate collab- Species proposal submitted to Invasive Alien Inventory and Map Display website orative efforts aimed at helping to manage Species Partnership Program. www.crerl.usask.ca/prips/ or prevent the spread of invasive species. In 2008, RDI actively worked to facili- tate cooperation with other groups across Western Canada. The most visible outcome Opinion Corner: Rural Poverty of these efforts was the Breaking Down by Lonnie Patterson 141 of the report that, “low income is strongly Borders Forum and the Prairie Region associated with low educational outcomes which Invasive Plant Species (PRIPS) inventory People who have experience in remote and rural in turn is strongly associated with poor health.” The and map display website. communities know it is no secret that collaboration Committee cited reports by research institutes and The Breaking Down Borders Forum was is an integral part of community action. Whether government agencies that clearly demonstrated held in February in Winnipeg. The forum the goal is to host the annual fair, enhance local people living in Canada’s remote and rural regions brought together over 50 key individuals infrastructure, maintain private and public services, are more likely to have lower levels of education from each of the Western Provinces and or protect against a natural disaster, success is and poorer health status than their urban counter- to discuss common issues, establish found in bringing different people and organiza- parts. These low levels are due, in no small part, to tions together to get the job done. Sometimes lack of access to services because of geographi- networks and identify potential opportuni- collaborative processes occur automatically and cal location. While education and healthcare are ties for collaboration. The major recom- sometimes it takes a bit of effort to get everyone primarily a provincial and territorial responsibility, mendation coming out of this forum was on board and going in the same direction. the federal government does have responsibility for the decision to move forward on the devel- The importance of collaboration was under- education and healthcare delivery in First Nation opment of a Western Regional network for scored in the recently released report, Beyond communities. In addition, the Committee recom- collaboration on invasive species. Freefall: Halting Rural Poverty. In this document, mended a number of steps the federal government The Prairie Region Invasive Plant Spe- the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and can take to help improve remote and rural access cies inventory and map display website is a Forestry made over sixty recommendations to the to these important services. comprehensive and standardized database federal government on how to improve the quality A key recommendation with regard to collabora- that encourages mapping and monitor- of life for Canadians living with little or no income tion was the creation of the Department of Rural ing the spread of invasive plant species. in remote and rural communities. The recommen- Affairs. Recognizing that the people, geography dations were based on information gathered from and culture of Canada’s remote and rural regions These activities are critical for agencies and over two years of public hearings across Canada. are diverse, this department would provide a lens organizations to develop, implement and Hundreds of submissions came from a variety of for policy analysis across the federal government. evaluate weed management plans. Devel- individuals and organizations, including RDI. It would also act as a facilitator and coordinator opment of the database was coordinated Statistics Canada, through the Rural and Small of action on federal initiatives in remote and rural with input from various agencies across Town Analysis Bulletin, has provided statistical regions. This new department was given an explicit Western Canada. GIServices at the Univer- insight into poverty in remote and rural Canada. role in 25 percent of the recommendations, includ- sity of Saskatchewan houses and maintains Regional disparities between and within provinces ing ones on agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, the infrastructure of the site and provides and territories exist. There have been fluctuations, education, housing, crime, immigration, the small technical support. but, in general, the further away from an urban business sector and the volunteer sector. In 2008, more than 35 users entered ap- centre one resides, the greater the risk of having The complex nature of poverty in remote and proximately 3,400 entries for invasive spe- a low or no income. Academic and anecdotal rural Canada calls for a collaborative approach to evidence in the Senate report highlighted that the its reduction. Regardless of its political stripe or the cies. One of the most significant findings roots and experiences of poverty are different in current economic situation, the federal government in 2008 was the rapid spread of downy and remote and rural Canada than in urban centres. should play a leadership role in creating economic Japanese brome. These two grass species The evidence also showed that, to be effective, so- stability for people living in these communities. are highly invasive in range, pasture and lutions must include inter- and intra- governmental Actively pursuing recommendations presented in forage crops as well as winter cereal crops. collaboration. the Senate report, beginning with establishing the Without control these species become well For example, the Committee stated on page Department of Rural Affairs, is a good place to start.

Rural Development Institute Rural Report • Winter 2009 | 5 Strengthening International Collaboration on Rural Policy by Ryan Gibson and Alison Moss and Islands (Inverness, Scotland). From in the Department of Rural Development June 21 – July 5 graduate students, faculty will have the opportunity to participate in Since 2004, RDI and the Department members, and policy makers from around this unique program. of Rural Development have been actively the world will gather to discuss, understand, Further information on ICRPS is avail- engaged in an international consortium on and compare rural policy. Graduate students able at www.icrps.com. comparative rural policy. In November 2008, RDI participated in International Rural Policy an international rural policy forum in Pueb- forum group photo la, Mexico co-hosted by Colegio México, Colegio Postgraduados-Campus Puebla (Mexico), and the University of Missouri (United States). The meeting brought representatives together from Canada, Italy, Spain and the United States. Discussions focused on developing multilateral compar- ative research projects, engagement in the International Comparative Rural Policies Studies (ICRPS) Summer Institutes, and building a memorandum of understand- ing between the universities to encourage faculty and student mobility. The 2009 ICRPS Summer Institute will be hosted by the University of Highlands Increasing Leafy Spurge Awareness through Collaboration by Ryan Gibson throughout the summer to increase management for a decade. The LSSG is awareness and education about leafy coordinated by RDI. Further information on Throughout Manitoba, leafy spurge is a spurge. These radio announcements could this initiative or the LSSG can be found at threat to biodiversity in nature and agri- be heard through southwestern and central www.brandonu.ca/rdi/leafyspurge.html. cultural lands. Recognizing this threat, the Manitoba. Over the fall and winter months, Leafy Spurge Stakeholders Group (LSSG) the initiative supported the creation and is working in collaboration with non-profit dissemination of information sheets and Ungrazed / Grazed organizations and government departments participation at key events and workshops to increase the detection, control, and man- throughout Manitoba. These events assist agement of leafy spurge. in building a wider understanding of leafy In May 2008, the LSSG initiated a leafy spurge as a noxious weed and promote spurge project focused on rangeland man- prevention strategies and control methods. agement and control through the assistance In partnership with the Invasive Species of the Greencover Technical Assistance Council of Manitoba, the project supported Program, Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Ad- a presentation and discussion of early ministration. Agricultural and conservation detection and rapid response by Randy organizations across southwestern Mani- Westbrooks of the United States Geological toba and governments have been working Survey. The presentation and discussion on this initiative coordinated by the LSSG. took place at Portage la Prairie from The goal of this project is to increase November 21-22, 2008. the adoption of beneficial management The LSSG is a diverse base of public, practices among producers, land managers, private and non-profit agencies, and it has municipalities, and industry for the preven- been actively involved in increasing aware- tion and management of leafy spurge. ness of the problem of leafy spurge and in Radio advertisements were aired promoting the benefits of integrated pest 6 | Rural Report • Winter 2009 Rural Development Institute Rural Report

Understanding the Mobility Patterns Paige Rushton McDougall, of Today’s Youth MRD Student

by Paige Rushton McDougall and chat with them about the youth within their community. Our travels to the North allowed us to take the train to Thicket Portage, he desire to understand and account for where we were able to speak to community members about youth population and demographic changes in rural mobility patterns in their community. One of the many conversa- T and northern communities motivated a Manitoba- tions that came to us during our stay was how access to roads only focused youth migration study undertaken by provincial and in the winter months influences youth’s decision of stay, leave or return to the community. federal government representatives, researchers, students, Lonnie Patterson, MRD Student (left); and community representatives. A key goal of the research Alison Moss, Research Affiliate (right) was to speak with Manitoban rural and northern youth from a selection of regions to develop a nuanced and multi- perspective understanding of their experiences in rural and northern communities, their intentions to leave or stay, and the motivations for leaving, staying, or returning to these smaller communities.

In the middle of the research project, the opportunity to travel to Inuvik, NWT for the 2008 Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation and the National Rural Research Network annual policy conference from June 18-21, 2008 allowed for an opportunity to share the results of our research to date. With the conference theme of Boom Bust Economies, we were able to speak of youth’s position within communities and how the booms and busts of a community relate directly to youth migration patterns. As we have heard from many communities, youth’s position in a community is of great importance. Throughout this research project, we have looked to Franco- phone, Parkland and Northern Manitoba communities to better understand the mobility patterns of today’s youth. We are very grateful to the many communities that kindly allowed us to come

Rural Development Institute Rural Report • Winter 2009 | 7 Growing the Diverse RDI Team by Jill Bucklaschuk stages of applied research. RDI’s mandate other rural issues. This involvement greatly and approach to research also introduces benefits students’ development and introduces The diverse RDI team is a group of indi- new researchers to a collaborative style of them to practical applied research skills. viduals interested in rural, remote and north- research that has immediate practical rel- Often students’ work at RDI fosters the devel- ern community development. Research, evance to policy makers, communities, and opment of potential thesis topics and future community development, and community rural residents. Students and new research- employment options. Current students include outreach initiatives are conducted by practi- ers are afforded invaluable opportunities Paige Rushton McDougall, Lonnie Patterson, tioners with expertise, skills, and experience to develop networks with other researchers Lynn Ferguson, Patience Skinner, all Master in research design and implementation, data and policy makers, participate in workshops of Rural Development students, and Monika analysis and synthesis, and project manage- and conferences, and become engaged in Sormova, Bachelor of Fine Arts, as well as ment. RDI actively engages new researchers all aspects of the research process. Some of Brandon University undergraduate students and students in all projects to foster and the responsibilities of new researchers and Yang Gao, Suzanne Wenwen Qui, Xiaolin develop research skills and experiences. students include: Ren, Katy Singleton and Leon Lizi Yang. RDI’s research, development and out- At RDI, new researchers have a unique • coordinating stakeholder and consulta- reach activities are conducted by individuals and invaluable opportunity to apply and tion meetings; and teams of researchers, research affiliates further develop research and theoretical skills • developing university ethics applications; and project managers from a variety of aca- while managing and facilitating projects, • writing research project proposals; demic disciplines or by practitioners with disseminating results, and building networks. • assisting with project development and skills and experience in project manage- New researchers often lead projects and learn management; and ment, group facilitation, research design, the importance of working in a collaborative • developing and disseminating reports, data analysis and specific topic domain ex- environment that encourages independent academic publications, and presentations. pertise. Bev Lischka supports the operation decision-making, partnership building, and and management of RDI and Sylvia Henry RDI engages students in research and self-guidance. Also, new researchers get provides support for the projects. community development projects through numerous opportunities to present research RDI offers new researchers and under- internships and research assistant positions. findings and develop extensive publications. graduate/graduate students many unique Currently, students are engaged with projects Currently, new researchers leading and co- opportunities to build knowledge and link on youth migration, rural immigration, ethn- leading RDI projects include Ryan Gibson, theory with practice by participating in all ocultural organizations, invasive species, and Alison Moss, and Jill Bucklaschuk. Collaborating to Improve Northern Access to Health Services continued from page 3 articles for publication and distribution. ritories, June 2008. Findings and potential Case studies have been written based on solutions have been shared at workshops ative solutions and education at all levels community members’ experiences access- and meetings over the past two years. RDI are important outcomes of this project. ing health services and will be used as and the Saskatchewan Population Health In keeping with the inherent principles teaching tools in professional programs to and Evaluation Research Unit, University of community development, community educate health professionals. Look for an of Regina co-hosted a cross-jurisdictional members actively engaged in the process, upcoming chapter Transcending boundar- workshop April 16 and 17, 2008 to bring gaining skills and knowledge necessary to ies: Collaborating to improve northern community members, provincial govern- take charge of their own destiny and access to health services in Manitoba ment representatives from Manitoba and build partnerships to improve access to and Saskatchewan in Rural health: A Saskatchewan and federal government northern health. Canadian perspective an edited book. representatives together to discuss research In an effort to broadly disseminate Presentations have been made at national findings and seek ways to further develop research findings, researchers are utilizing conferences, most recently at the annual and implement creative solutions. a variety of tools and venues. Researchers Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation For more information visit are developing a number of reports and conference held in Inuvik, Northwest Ter- www.brandonu.ca/rdi/cihr.asp. Contact Us Rural Development Institute Ph: (204) 571-8515 Brandon University Fax: (204) 725-0364 270-18th Street E-mail: [email protected] McMaster Hall, Lower Level Website: www.brandonu.ca/rdi/ Brandon, MB R7A 6A9

8 | Rural Report • Winter 2009 Rural Development Institute