The Challenge
Prince of Wales Island faces a complex challenge: a declining deer population impacting food security, cultural practices, and local ecosystems. The summit required a facilitator capable of bringing together a highly diverse steering committee—including Tribal governments, state and federal agencies (USFS, ADF&G), academic researchers, and local hunters—to reach a shared understanding of the problem.
Phase 1: Planning and Institutional Alignment
As the lead facilitator, I work with a co-facilitator to guid the steering committee through two years of intensive planning meetings. My role was to move these distinct institutions toward alignment on conference goals and an agenda that respected both technical data and traditional ecological knowledge.
Phase 2: Facilitation of the Event
During the summit, my co-facilitator and I utilized experiential learning tools and intercultural communication techniques to support dialogue between participants and presenters.
- Equitable Dialogue: We ensured a balanced platform where community members and hunters could engage directly with land and wildlife managers.
- Knowledge Sharing: We facilitated sessions designed to identify the specific factors influencing deer populations, ensuring that all perspectives were captured in the room.
Phase 3: Synthesis and Actionable Follow-up
Following the summit, I translated the collective discussions and facilitated exercises into a comprehensive summary report. This document served as a roadmap for stakeholders to support the long-term health of the deer population and improve inter-agency understanding.
