Master's Projects
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Item Unraveling the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on mental health among nurses and physicians in Canada(2025) McDonald, Hope; Brousselle, AstridOn March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The pandemic profoundly affected the global population, disrupted society, and had long-lasting effects on Canada’s healthcare system and providers. This project aims to explore and analyze potential factors that impacted the mental health of Canadian nurses and physicians during the Covid-19 pandemic. This project used a sequential mixed-methods design that included a rapid review and semi-structured interviews. The project found that staffing shortages, increased and intensified workload, and a lack of social and administrative support were factors that impacted the mental health of four nurses and four physicians in Canada.Item Nene aiohétston’ nahò:ten wakweientehtà:’on tsi náhe Onkwehonwehnéha shiwakahronkha’ónhátie’ nok shikherihonnién:ni(2025) McComber, Kahrhó:wane Cory; Czaykowska-Higgins, EwaThis project is a self-reflection of my lifelong learning of the Kanien’kehá:ka language Kanien’kéha. This self-reflection speaks to lessons learned from my early childhood experiences in learning Kanien’kéha right at the time when our last generation of Mother Tongue speakers were beginning to start what is now shaping our current language reclamation/revitalization efforts. The primary focus of this work is my language reclamation journey. This journey took place in my adult years when I began learning Kanien’kéha’ in earnest in 1993 as a full-time volunteer in a Pre-kindergarten and Kindergarten Kanien’kéha immersion program at the age of 18. It has continued to evolve as a father and husband, and on into what is currently the last nine consecutive years of teaching of Kanien’kéha to adults in a two-year immersion program setting. This work also touches upon lessons learned and solutions from my standpoint initially as a learner and later as a teacher. In describing my experience and learning, I reflect on how our language, culture and history mutually inform each other to complete the whole.Item Skin cancer detection using transfer learning: From system design to mobile deployment(2025) Patel Kiritbhai, Divyeshkumar; Yang, Hong-ChuanSkin cancer is the most common type of cancer. Recognizing the poor availability and reliability of existing solutions for skin cancer detection, we leverage the recent advancements in machine learning models and their on-device capabilities to provide an efficient and handy solution for the early detection of skin cancer. Specifically, we designed a lightweight solution using transfer learning with compact pretrained models to aid in the detection of skin cancer. Our solution can accurately detect malignant skin cancer and identify the five major types of skin cancers from images captured with a handheld dermoscope. We also deploy the solution on an Android mobile device. With our mobile application, general practitioners and remote healthcare workers can make guided referrals to a dermatologist for patients.Item Gambling expansion: Understanding the impacts of the Ontario gambling expansion on people engaged with gambling supports(2025) Swiniarski, Scott; Cunningham, BartonThe purpose of this project is to gain a deeper understanding of the Ontario gambling expansion and its impact on people engaged with gambling support. It focused on how the increase to online casino availability and gambling media impacted participants lives. A literature review is conducted on the literature relevant to online gambling and gambling media, providing a history of the impact and highlighting key concepts. A conceptual framework was created from the relevant literature that focuses on the different areas of impact related to the Ontario gambling market changes and was implemented in the interview guide. Interviews were conducted with people who were engaged with the a problem gambling day treatment program to gather their experiences of the gambling market expansion. Interview findings were analyzed to identify key themes that were important to participants. Participants recalled the impacts of the gambling market changes and how that had effected their life. Participants gave feedback in ways that the market could improve to help protect those vulnerable to gambling problems in the future. Implications of the findings are addressed, and recommendations are provided based on the themes identified in the literature review and interview findings.Item Breaking systemic barriers: The role of lived experience in building better leaders(2025) Chiaramonte, Marco; Castle, DavidThis research project investigates the systemic barriers preventing individuals from marginalized communities including women, Indigenous Peoples, racialized groups, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ2S+ individuals from attaining and advancing into leadership roles. Conducted independently and without affiliation to any organization, the study explores how leadership selection processes, cultural biases, and rigid organizational structures contribute to the underrepresentation of these groups. The goal is to highlight the voices of successful marginalized leaders and human resource professionals to identify actionable solutions for building equitable leadership pathways. The research study employed a qualitative semi-structured interview approach grounded in phenomenological methodology to capture the lived experience of five successful leaders from marginalized communities and five human resource professionals. The phenomenological approach was chosen because it focuses on understanding how individuals experience leadership, decision-making and systemic barriers in their own words. Consistent interview questions were posed to all participants, with flexibility to probe deeper based on individual responses. This allowed for the identification of recurring themes, emerging issues, and unique perspectives. Data analysis focused on recognizing shared challenges, highlighting systemic patterns, and capturing participant-driven recommendations. The findings reveal that leadership pathways remain constrained by exclusionary criteria, privileging hierarchical experience, formal credentials, and dominant cultural norms over community-based leadership and lived experience. Hiring and promotion processes often perpetuate systemic bias through rigid merit standards, culturally unresponsive interview practices, and opaque advancement opportunities. Even when diversity targets are met, tokenistic approaches frequently leave marginalized leaders without genuine influence or decision-making authority. At the same time, the research underscores the transformative potential of leaders with lived experience, whose insights can address policy gaps, meet community needs, and challenge systemic inequities. However, without equitable hiring systems and structural change, these contributions remain undervalued. Expanding culturally responsive leadership development through mentorship, sponsorship, and the integration of Indigenous governance principles offers proven pathways to build inclusive decision-making and ensure meaningful representation at all levels. The research project concludes with fifteen recommendations, including: • Redefining Leadership Competencies – Recognizing lived experience, cultural knowledge, and relational leadership as assets equal to formal credentials. • Culturally Responsive Mentorship & Sponsorship – Structuring long-term, cross-cultural mentorships and sponsorships to actively advocate for marginalized leaders. • Equitable Hiring and Promotion – Conducting equity audits, implementing anti-bias training for hiring committees, and ensuring transparent advancement pathways. • Integrating Indigenous Governance and Community-Based Leadership Models – Including elders and community knowledge keepers in decision-making processes. • Embedding Inclusive Policy Frameworks – Aligning leadership recruitment and governance policies with reconciliation, equity, and principles drawn from lived experience. • Empowering Human Resources as Equity Champions – Embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion accountability into HR roles and granting authority to address biased processes. The study confirms that systemic barriers in leadership recruitment and promotion disproportionately exclude individuals with lived experience from marginalized communities. Leaders without such experience often make decisions through a narrow cultural lens, overlooking critical intersectional knowledge and perpetuating policies that fail to meet community needs. This research highlights how exclusionary norms, rigid hiring standards, and narrow definitions of success suppress diverse leadership potential. In contrast, leaders from marginalized communities bring unique insights shaped by intersectional identities and firsthand experience navigating systemic barriers that can transform policies, programs, and organizational cultures. The findings call for embedding equity into every stage of leadership development, from recruitment and mentorship to succession planning, ensuring that leadership pathways are redefined to reflect lived experience as a core competency. Moving beyond performative diversity, organizations must commit to structurally inclusive practices that empower marginalized voices to lead, influence, and create lasting, equitable change.Item Coming home: Weaving Sḵwx̱wú7mesh identity and belonging in the creation of a story blanket(2025) Houghton, Joshua; Carere, SandrinaThis project offers insights into my journey of reconnecting with my late mother’s Indigenous Sḵwx̱wú7mesh community. Through connecting with cousins, aunts, and uncles, I experienced a diverse and extended kinship network, guided by rich teachings, art, storytelling, and ceremonies. This provided a foundation for my art-based project that guided my research in understanding the value in Indigenous ways of knowing that are experienced through holistic, interconnected and fluid practice. I have utilized the art of storytelling to create a story blanket that documents my journey and reconnection to my Sḵwx̱wú7mesh roots. Combined with an audio and slideshow presentation, each blanket panel tells the story of my journey of reconnection through questions, understanding, connection, belonging, and commitments to practice. The story blanket is composed of 12 story panels made of felt, wool, buttons and thread and arranged in a linear format that documents my journey of understanding through an autoethnography approach of piecing, stitching and steeping the multilayered intersections that shape my identity as a mixed-race person, with an emphasis on my coming into my Indigeneity. In contrast to Western research paradigms of appropriation, the foundations of my research methods and ethics are rooted in Indigenous ways of knowing and being. The story blanket highlights the need for a sense of belonging to community and how community and kinship cement the foundation of Indigenous identity. Colonization has displaced many Sḵwx̱wú7mesh community members from their traditional lands and kinship systems. Finding and belonging to these systems provides a sense of self-worth and acceptance, reestablishing the diverse kinship networks within communities that foster a sense of belonging, healing, and connection.Item Women’s agricultural leadership and isolation: How has isolation related to COVID-19 and climate events impacted women farmers’ leadership practices in the BC organic sector?(2025) Gamble, Jen; Pérez Piñán, Astrid V.This project examines how women in the British Columbia organic agricultural sector demonstrate leadership during challenging climate events and pandemic situations and how social isolation influences their leadership practices. Through qualitative research, this project investigates the ways in which women in agriculture lead with their actions, their farming practices, and their focus on community especially in the context of a global pandemic or climate event. The project employed a qualitative approach to data collection through semi-structured interviews with seven participants, which facilitated an in-depth sharing of participants’ experience. Feminist principles and intersectional perspectives enabled the analysis to centre the voices and lived experiences of women within the organic agriculture community. The interview participants expressed a common belief that relationships were foundational to all aspects of their leadership. Participants felt that while the Covid-19 pandemic changed the way people worked together, it did not change the importance of relationships and community. Strong relationships were also identified as critical during climate events which often challenge community capacity. The critical role of relationships was threaded through the themes that emerged under each research question. Established, reliable relationships provided not only a sense of community but also a critical point of support in crisis situations.Item Honouring the legacy, creating new pathways: advancing Indigenous harm reduction through a culturally safe program(2025) Cleaver, Keshia; Kukuru, DorisSince 2016, British Columbia’s toxic drug public health emergency has claimed more than 16,000 lives, hitting First Nations communities hardest: mortality rates are up to seven times higher than among other residents. These deaths stem from colonial harms - Indian Residential Schools, the Sixties Scoop, punitive drug laws - that fractured families, suppressed culture, and reshaped the social determinants of Indigenous peoples' health. To address this crisis, the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) launched Not Just Naloxone (NJN) in 2017, a three-day, in-person train-the-trainer workshop delivering Indigenous-led harm-reduction education. Demand soon outpaced capacity, and the length and emotional weight of the sessions led to delivery challenges, limiting both capacity and reach. This project converted NJN into a self-paced online course rooted in Indigenous ways of learning yet accessible to remote and time-pressed learners. Course development drew on an integrative literature review, monthly meetings with youth and adult peers, Elder guidance, and modular design that blends digital storytelling with flexible activities. Regional consultations and an in-person peer review further refined content. The completed course offers eight interactive modules grounded in culture-based knowing, trauma-informed practice, and BC First Nations narratives. Elders’ prayers open and close the learning journey, and digital stories highlight Indigenous harm reduction and decolonized substance-use care. Early feedback shows the platform supports relational, story-based learning when directed by knowledge keepers and lived experience. Ongoing success will require regular updates, fair compensation for peers, and strategies to dismantle stigma and anti-Indigenous racism.Item Optimal UAV trajectory planning for sum rate maximization: A comparative study of DQN, DDQN and PPO(2025) Li, Yawen; Yang, Hong-ChuanThis report presents a study on the optimization of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) trajectory using advanced reinforcement learning (RL) algorithms, specifically Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO). The primary objective is to maximize the communication sum rate between the UAV and ground users by formulating it into a Markov Decision Process (MDP). The study introduces an innovative approach of action elimination to enhance the learning efficiency of RL agents by preventing them from selecting actions that do not contribute to the mission’s success. This method proved crucial in helping agents achieve higher rewards and reach their destinations on time, thereby avoiding unnecessary explorations. Additionally, the research explores the impact of different reward functions on the learning dynamics and performance of the RL agents. PPO shows a marked preference for cumulative rewards, reflecting its design to capitalize on long-term benefits. A significant portion of the research was dedicated to hyperparameter tuning within the PPO framework, where variables such as learning rates, clipping ratios, and buffer sizes were meticulously adjusted to refine the learning process. This tuning not only enhanced the performance of the PPO agent but also offered valuable insights into the sensitivity of RL algorithms to their operational parameters. However, the study acknowledges limitations, including the simplification of environmental factors and the two-dimensional trajectory optimization. Future work is suggested to integrate more complex environmental models and consider three-dimensional trajectory planning to address real-world applicability more effectively. The findings from this study contribute to the growing body of knowledge in UAV navigation and RL, providing a pathway for future research to build upon the foundational results obtained.Item Anomaly detection in drone activities: Data collection and unsupervised machine learning modeling(2025) Chen, Zhuo; Traoré, Issa; Mamun, MohammadAs Internet of Things (IoT) devices, drones are among the most popular unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), equipped with multiple sensors, cameras, and communication systems. These features expose them to potential vulnerabilities exploitable by hackers. making it crucial to explore these vulnerabilities and implement effective anomaly detection while operating UAVs. This study investigates a DJI Edu Tello drone to comprehensively assess its vulnerabilities and develop anomaly detection mechanisms using different unsupervised machine learning techniques. Two types of data were collected: benign data from legitimate actions and attack data comprising nine types of attacks. Feature extraction and engineering were performed based on scripts from the Canadian Institute for Cybersecurity (CIC), which were modified to suit the specific needs of this project. The modifications aimed to improve the robustness of the detector by removing and modifying existing features and introducing new measurements to represent the captured packets. The anomaly detector was formulated after comparing three unsupervised machine learning algorithms: Isolation Forest, Local Outlier Factor (LOF), and Elliptic Envelope, through extensive performance evaluations and analyses. The study demonstrated the effectiveness of these algorithms in detecting anomalies and enhancing the security of drones. The findings also highlight the critical role of robust feature engineering and careful algorithm selection in developing a reliable anomaly detection system for UAVs.Item A machine learning approach to network security anomaly detection(2025) Verma, Prateek; Yang, Hong-ChuanSupervised machine learning has emerged as a highly effective technique for classification in anomaly-based cyber-threat detection systems due to its predictability, and high accuracy. This work utilizes the CICIDS2017 dataset which is widely recognized as a benchmark for anomaly detection research. The work begins with the idea to implement a two-layered ML-based detection model. The proposed system’s first layer performs binary classification to differentiate benign from malicious traffic, while a secondary, multi-class classification system identifies specific attack types to implement targeted countermeasures. Incremental Principal Component Analysis (PCA) technique and Synthetic Minority Oversampling (SMOTE) is applied to balance the dataset, critical for both binary and multi-class classification tasks. Among all evaluated machine learning models, LightGBM achieved superior performance with 99% accuracy, 98.1% F1-score, and minimal resource usage, outperforming traditional methods like SVM, KNN, Random Forest and Decision Trees. Further feature reduction, guided by feature importance scores, led to an even more lightweight model while performance metrics such accuracy, recall, and F1-score, remained consistent or improved slightly within a margin of ±0.5% highlighting the stability and efficiency of the proposed approach. This proposed system demonstrates that advanced, resource-efficient supervised ML models such as LightGBM can significantly improve real-time threat detection while offering a scalable and cost-effective solution for future cybersecurity deployments.Item Stock price prediction using deep learning(2025) Mirzazadeh, Saeid; Baniasadi, AmiraliFinancial markets are inherently complex, volatile, and influenced by a wide range of factors extending beyond historical price patterns. Traditional stock price prediction models, relying solely on technical or statistical methods, often fail to account for external drivers such as macroeconomic conditions and investor sentiment. This thesis addresses these limitations by proposing a hybrid deep learning framework—CNN-LSTM-ASTL—designed to enhance stock price forecasting through the integration of structured financial data, macroeconomic indicators, and unstructured sentiment data. The model leverages Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) for spatial feature extraction, Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks for capturing temporal dependencies, and an Adaptive Spatiotemporal Learning (ASTL) mechanism to dynamically adjust to changing market conditions. A comprehensive ETL pipeline was developed to automate multi-source data collection, preprocessing, and feature engineering. The system was deployed using cloud-based infrastructure to enable scalable, real-time predictions. Empirical evaluation focused on Tesla Inc. (TSLA) demonstrated that the proposed framework outperformed traditional models such as ARIMA, Random Forest, and LSTM-only architectures across key performance metrics, achieving an R2 score of 0.912 and a Directional Accuracy of 76.5This research contributes to the advancement of AI-driven financial forecasting by demonstrating the value of combining deep learning with alternative data sources in a scalable, adaptable framework. The findings highlight both the potential and limitations of such systems, emphasizing their role as decision-support tools within modern financial analytics.Item IoT based gas detection using Arduino and ESP8266(2025) Gandhi, Khushboo; Coady, YvonneThis report presents the development of a scalable Internet of Things (IoT)-based gas detection system leveraging the Arduino Uno, ESP8266 Wi-Fi module, and MQ-5 gas sensor. The primary objective of the system is to detect combustible gases such as methane and propane and to transmit real-time sensor data to a cloud-connected platform. The prototype serves as a foundational proof of concept for broader safety applications, particularly in industrial environments where gas leaks pose significant hazards. A practical and educational system design has been implemented with attention to hardware interfacing, embedded programming, and network communication. To complement the core system, a STEM-focused tutorial is provided, introducing learners to sensor integration and cloud data transmission using microcontrollers. The report further outlines a robust future scope wherein the existing system can evolve into a distributed sensor network integrated with Amazon Web Services (AWS) for intelligent alerting, secure data storage, and real-time analytics across geographically distributed facilities.Item Shakotirihonnyén:ni Karihonnyenníhtshera: Creating a teaching manual for Kanyen’kéha adult immersion programming(2025) Brant, Rohahiyo Jordan; Bird, Sonya; Czaykowska-Higgins, EwaThe purpose of this project is to support the seldomly discussed demographic of adult immersion, namely the instructors. The question asked is: How can we best assist current and prospective instructors of Kanyen’kéha adult immersion schools and how can we make it easier for them to use the available pedagogical materials (the “textbook”) in terms of timeline, sequencing, and teaching methods? To answer this question, I created a teacher manual, Shakotirihonnyén:ni Karihonnyenníhtshera, designed to accompany the textbook of the first year immersion program of Onkwawenna Kentyohkwa. The 1st Year Program textbook contains 1000 immersion classroom hours of content and is divided into individual units of cumulative content. Shakotirihonnyén:ni Karihonnyenníhtshera makes the textbook more accessible for instructors by telling them when and how to teach features and vocabulary, what classroom practices to use to maximize results, how to run drills in the classroom, how to provide corrective feedback, and other useful information essential to running an adult immersion program. This project establishes the need for this How-To guide for instructors at Onkwawenna Kentyohkwa, provides an analysis of the manual, including how it came to be and how it can be improved upon in the future, and discusses its value for current and future program replication efforts.Item Powertrain layout and component design with topology optimization for an electric truck(2025) Deng, Liang; Dong, ZuominThis report presents the design, optimization, and prototyping of an electric medium-duty truck (eMDT) retrofitted from a Toyota Dyna, addressing challenges in spatial constraints, weight distribution, and structural integrity. The project focuses on developing an optimized powertrain layout, lightweight structural components, and efficient integration of electric powertrain systems to meet standard and performance requirements. Reverse engineering was employed to create a detailed CAD model of the chassis, facilitating the analysis of spatial constraints and component placement. The powertrain layout was modelled and analyzed in terms of weight distribution and payload capacity. Structural modifications to the chassis and mounting systems were validated using finite element analysis (FEA). The motor bracket design underwent topology optimization using the Solid Isotropic Material with Penalization (SIMP) algorithm combined with hyperparameter optimization (HPO) to achieve a 48% weight reduction while maintaining structural reliability under operational loads. The project demonstrated the effectiveness of integrating advanced computational techniques with practical engineering to overcome the challenges of vehicle electrification. Key outcomes include an optimal powertrain layout, validated structural modifications, and a lightweight motor bracket design. These contributions advance the development of sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective electric medium-duty trucks, laying the groundwork for future vehicle electrification innovations.This report presents the design, optimization, and prototyping of an electric medium-duty truck (eMDT) retrofitted from a Toyota Dyna, addressing challenges in spatial constraints, weight distribution, and structural integrity. The project focuses on developing an optimized powertrain layout, lightweight structural components, and efficient integration of electric powertrain systems to meet standard and performance requirements. Reverse engineering was employed to create a detailed CAD model of the chassis, facilitating the analysis of spatial constraints and component placement. The powertrain layout was modelled and analyzed in terms of weight distribution and payload capacity. Structural modifications to the chassis and mounting systems were validated using finite element analysis (FEA). The motor bracket design underwent topology optimization using the Solid Isotropic Material with Penalization (SIMP) algorithm combined with hyperparameter optimization (HPO) to achieve a 48% weight reduction while maintaining structural reliability under operational loads. The project demonstrated the effectiveness of integrating advanced computational techniques with practical engineering to overcome the challenges of vehicle electrification. Key outcomes include an optimal powertrain layout, validated structural modifications, and a lightweight motor bracket design. These contributions advance the development of sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective electric medium-duty trucks, laying the groundwork for future vehicle electrification innovations.Item Strategic Plan for the Simpcw Cultural Education Centre (CEC)(2025) Hickson, Melisa; Thiessen, Susanne; Wiebe, SarahThis Master’s project presents a strategic plan for the Simpcw Cultural Education Centre (CEC), a community-led initiative rooted in Simpcw values, language, and governance. Developed through a Two-Eyed Seeing approach and grounded in Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR), the plan advances a long-term vision for Simpcw cultural resurgence and economic self-determination. The CEC is envisioned as a dynamic institution that integrates traditional knowledge with sustainable development, land-based learning, and revenue-generating activities. Building on previous planning efforts, the plan outlines a phased implementation model that prioritizes youth empowerment, Indigenous tourism, and intergenerational knowledge transfer. The Centre challenges the notion that cultural institutions are financially dependent by promoting a user-pay model supported by targeted funding proposals and community partnerships. Key strategic objectives include: revitalizing the Secwepemc language, fostering youth leadership, creating pathways to employment through culturally aligned training programs, and ensuring operational sustainability through infrastructure and governance development. With the anticipated land transfer at Dunn Lake, the CEC is poised to become a central hub for cultural preservation and innovation. Ultimately, this plan reaffirms Simpcw self-determination by positioning the CEC as a model for Indigenous-led nation-building, where cultural continuity and economic resilience are mutually reinforcing.Item Utilizing transformer for emotional understanding on Chinese mental-health dataset(2025) Du, Mingyu; Dong, XiaodaiThe rapid development of large language models has demonstrated successful performance in various areas. In terms of mental health, large language models exhibit the capability to understand emotional feeling to some extent. However, research in the mental health field requires a broad range of interdisciplinary knowledge and is often constrained by limited resources. This project focuses on the analysis of sentiment in conversational texts using large language models and investigating the model performances. By comparing 8 different open source models, the project demonstrates the outstanding performance of hfl/chinese-roberta-wwm-ext in emotional understanding using the mental health dataset released by Tongji University.Item Witnessing the impacts of tawâw on public administration and policy in the City of New Westminster; Indigenous Ways of Knowing are dismantling silos and transforming service delivery and policy in a Canadian Municipality(2025) Tailfeathers, Jessica; Thiessen, Susanne; Siemens, LynneAn Indigenous-aligned program, tawâw, created by Indigenous Relations Advisor, Christina Coolidge, is held weekly at New Westminster’s City Hall and invites City Staff from various departments to share soup and Bannock with their Elder-in-residence, Elder William. tawâw is an in-person only program that provides a non-hierarchical, safe space that fosters relationship-building, storytelling, and communal eating amongst colleagues. tawâw created opportunities for policy and service delivery impacts on the City of New Westminster, by using Indigenous approaches to learning and relationship-building, resulting in a positive workplace community and culture that increased employee engagement. The research employs a qualitative approach using a two-eyed seeing methodology, integrating Indigenous and Western methodologies to understand the policy and relationship impacts of the program within a colonial system. Grounded theory and case study methodologies were used to explore the impacts on municipal employees and policies. Data collection included journaling, observational notetaking, table-top discussions, and semi-structured interviews, involving 74 unique participants. The findings reveal a conceptual framework of three nested circles — The Self, The Community, and The Greater Community — each influenced by Christina Coolidge and Elder William. The program impacts individual experiences, fosters a sense of community, and influences broader service delivery and policy. It was realized that tawâw is not just a program, but a community and a community of practice. To replicate the success of tawâw, organizations should consider hiring an Indigenous Relations Team, implementing cross-departmental Communities of Practice, holding weekly meetings with an Elder, supporting Indigenous employees with multi-year contracts, and organizing in-person communal gatherings for employees and partners to foster relationships, engage employees and improve service deliver.Item Shared leadership and executive director retention in Kootenay-Boundary community social services organizations(2025) Smith, Hannah; Cunningham, Barton J.The impact of nonprofit executive turnover cannot be understated (McKee & Froelich, 2016). For several decades now, there has been a focus on the benefits of a shared leadership approach – its impressive ability to bolster team performance and creativity and improve team dynamics (Wu et al., 2020). This research turns its attention toward shared leadership’s applications in executive retention in the Community Services Organizations' (CSO) sphere, specifically within Kootenay Boundary Community Services Cooperative (Koop) member agencies. Understanding the role shared leadership and its contributing factors play in local CSO executive retention is crucial in stabilizing their futures and the communities they serve. Given the importance of strong executive leadership, gaining a deeper awareness of the factors that support ED retention regionally will enable the Koop to make informed decisions on its capacity-building activities. Most significantly, it will contribute to local CSO ED retention strategies, bolstering their organizational sustainability as they face an era of change with a strapped labour market and increased demand for services. The research aimed to investigate a leadership model within CSOs that is more compatible with executive retention. It sought to address the research problem of high executive turnover, with a limited labour pool of candidates for the most critical organizational role. The guiding research questions were, “Does shared leadership provide a protective effect in CSO executive director retention?” and “What influence do the various shared leadership constructs have?”Item Tópakdinážiŋwiŋ na Waŋbdíȟotena Tȟa-Waníyetu Wówapi(2025) Tolman, Tipiziwin; Bird, Sonya; Restoule, Jean-PaulWinter counts are traditional record-keeping mechanisms used by many Plains tribes, where pictographs represent significant annual events. My paternal great-grandparents, Mrs. Teresa and Eugene Yellow Lodge, were winter count keepers for our Wicȟíyena band of Dakota people, residing on the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation in North Dakota. Their winter count is housed in collections at the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona. Teresa and Eugene were first-generation boarding school students who integrated their newly acquired literacy in Dakota and English with their responsibilities as winter count keepers. They created an invaluable resource for family, community, culture, and language in the form of a booklet accompanying their winter count, which spanned from 1785 to 1952. This booklet, written entirely in Dakota and Lakota, remains with our family. This project examines the process and significance of sharing my paternal great-grandparents' winter count "key" booklet with my community, employing wise practices rooted in a Lakota and Dakota worldview. I acknowledge the unique role of Topakdinážiŋwiŋ, Mrs. Teresa Yellow Lodge, who took on the duties of winter count keeper after her husband died in 1929, a role traditionally held by men. Given the current status of the Dakota and Lakota languages, this project aims to revitalize these winter count stories by combining photographs of the pictographs with their Dakota and Lakota descriptions, transcriptions into the New Lakota Dictionary Orthography (NLDO), and English translations. Through this resource, I aim to (re)connect our community with the vital cultural narratives within my great-grandparents' winter count. Additionally, I emphasize significant linguistic and cultural insights from their written work. This project, rooted intuitively in the Očhéthi Šakówiŋ worldview of Mitákuye Owas’iŋ, and principles of generosity and reciprocity, strives to maintain and share these stories for future generations.