For the Splatsin Tsm7aksaltn (Splatsin Teaching Centre) Society in Enderby, BC, the mission is as urgent as it is sacred. In a race against time, the community is working to revitalize their language and culture while there is still a window to do so.
With fluent speakers now representing less than 1% of the population (most of whom are Elders over the age of 80), the “time crunch” to pass this knowledge to the next generation is real. However, this work isn’t just about preservation; it’s about transformation. By using creative programming to reconnect children with their heritage, the Society has been recognized as one of the top 10 methods in Canada for reversing the lasting traumas of the residential school system.
The Challenge
As Executive Director, Deanna Cook was balancing a significant workload. Managing a team of 30 staff and overseeing eight programs, she was also responsible for writing grant proposals to sustain and grow their work.
She faced a common challenge shared by many leaders: not a lack of impact, but a lack of capacity. Securing funding requires time, focus, and expertise. With so many competing priorities, it became increasingly difficult to maintain the level of effort needed to consistently apply for and secure grants.
The Approach
Deanna connected with Do Gooders after discovering us through social media. Looking for support, she engaged our team to assist with grant writing so she could focus on leading her organization and supporting her staff.
Do Gooders worked in close consultation with the Society, providing professional, high-quality grant writing services tailored to their programs and goals. As Deanna shared, “The experience has been great. Very professional and very professionally written proposals and I think we’ve mostly gotten every proposal that you guys have written for us, so it’s been very successful.”
The Outcome
Through this partnership, Splatsin Tsm7aksaltn Society successfully secured funding for food sovereignty initiatives from multiple funders such as United Way, New Relationship Trust and Valley First.
This funding has allowed the organization to:
- Increase access to nutritious food within the community
- Purchase a freeze dryer to provide healthy snacks for children during winter
- Deliver canning workshops to the community
Beyond these tangible outcomes, the impact has been deeply cultural and community-driven. Traditional foods are being reintroduced into everyday life, including in the daycare, where children are now enjoying foods such as sockeye salmon, moose meat, and local berries. Language is being woven back into these experiences, reconnecting younger generations with traditional names, recipes, and practices.
Looking Ahead
With dedicated grant writing support in place, Splatsin Tsm7aksaltn Society has gained something just as valuable as funding: capacity to focus on programs, support staff, and continue revitalizing language and culture for future generations.
Here’s what Deanna had to say: “I would 100% recommend the services of Do Gooders. We’ve had nothing but good relationships with them. Everything is very clear and upfront. We get our quote to write a proposal, the proposal is written; we do it in consultation with Do Gooders. And I would highly recommend any organization that wants to be successful to use the services of Do Gooders.” Check out Deanna’s video testimonial here.
Do Gooders is honoured to support organizations like Splatsin Tsm7aksaltn Society by providing the expertise and support needed to secure funding and reduce overwhelm. By strengthening capacity behind the scenes, we help Indigenous Nations, charities, and not-for-profits stay focused on what matters most, their communities.
