Employment History

Devon Flynn
UNBC Bag 8100, #732
Prince George, BC
V2N 5H1
(250) 842-8235

Objective: To obtain a position where I can apply and challenge myself, as well as further my experience in the work force.

Education:
- 1st year Environmental Planning Student at UNBC
- Attained Food Safe Level 1
- Attained First Aid Level 1
- Attained Serving It Right certification
- Taken Bear Awareness course

Employment History:

March 2009 – September 2009: Child Care Service Worker
Duties include:
− Food preparation and cooking
− Entertaining children
− Cleaning duties

March 2009 – September 2009: Fitness Center Operator
Duties include:
− Cleaning exercise machines
− Opening and closing of building
− Book keeping
− Daily notes
− Community board and fitness information posting
− Daily vacuuming
− Operating entertainment systems

2008 May – 2008 September: Solo Cross-country bike fundraiser
Duties include:
− Training
− Media

• - Contacting local radio and television stations

• - Writing articles to newspapers

• - Maintaining and updating website blog

• - Planning presentations

• - Documentation

− Biking

• - Bike and equipment maintenance

• - Physically biking and travelling
  

• - Setting up camp or preparing hospitality

• - Shopping and cooking meals

• − Fundraising

• - Public bank account book keeping

• - Funds collection while travelling

• - Liaison between fund receptors

2007 September – 2008 March: Canada World Youth Participant
Duties include:
− Living in Canadian community (Kelowna, BC) and foreign community (Beijing, China)
- Lived with host family in each community

• Integration with family, including chores, participation and learning

• Lived with Chinese counterpart

• Teaching of English, learning of mandarin

• Helping integrate counterpart into Canadian culture

− Planning and organizing of group activities
- Planning community educational activity volunteering events
- Planning educational activity days situated around different topics (environment, local history, economics, community development, etc)
− Learning weekly mandarin classes
− Weekly goal evaluations
− Volunteered at local food bank

• Sorted, organized and stacked boxes of food

• Receive and unload incoming shipments of food

• Package diet oriented food boxes

• Dealing with customers and their specific food needs

2007 May – August: Check Your Latitude Group Participant
Duties include:
− Running community garden

• Preparation of land and area

• Advertising and running workshops

• Growing and maintaining garden

• Execution and sorting of local good food box

− Creating and running kids kitchen

• Organizing meals

• Shopping for ingredients

• Healthy activities and games

− Creating, planning and running kids camps

• Creation and acting in veggie-heroes short skit

• Planning venues and dates

• Caring for young kids

− Participating and running group activities
− Weekly evaluations


2007 March – April: Ski hill lift operator
Duties include:
− Daily starting and shutting down of machinery
− Maintenance of work and public area
− Knowing and understanding radio calls
− Watching for public safety

2006 October - 2007 February: Pacific Inland Resources Mill Worker
Duties include:
- Cutting, stacking and moving dunnage
- Stacker machine operator
- Wrapping station
- General area upkeep

2006 September – October: Upper Skeena Service Learning Agriculture Project Participant
Duties include:
− Researching recipes online
− Cooking/baking
− Public gardening
− Planning and carrying out service learning projects
− Cutting and clearing trails
− Weekly evaluations

2005-2006 November 16 - August 16: Katimavik Participant
Duties include:
− Living in 3 different communities for 3 months
− House managing

• Cooking for 11 other people

• Shopping

• Taking messages

• General cleaning

− Various volunteering jobs
− Committee work
- Public relations, Leadership, Environment, French, Healthy Lifestyles, Cultural Discovery
- Phoning, advertising, planning protocols
- Execution of planned activities
− Volunteering full time at 3 different jobs
- Canadian Bushplane Heritage Museum in Sault Ste. Marie, ON

• Cashier

• Display maintenance

• Marketing

• Disassembling/reassembling airplanes

- Technical Services at Mauricie National Park, QB

• Painting

• General cleaning

• Washing vehicles

• Odd jobs

- Corner Brook Stream Trails, NF

• Landscaping

• Painting

• Physical labor

- Junior Achievement Corner Brook, NF

• Clerical work

• Data entry

• Odd jobs

Skills and Abilities:
¨ Learn new skills quickly and applying productively
¨ Highly motivated and focused
¨ Can work independently or in group
¨ Willing to try anything once

Volunteer Experience:

2009
- Volunteered with Hazelton Good Food Box
- Kispiox Valley Music Festival pre-setup
- UNBC affiliations: Drama Club, Film Club, Residence Council, Residence Floor Representative, Board of Directors of Prince George Public Interest Research Group, Volunteered with Prince George Good Food Box
2007-2008
− Canada World Youth participant (see above)
- Green Leaders Conference attendee
2005-2006
− Katimavik participant (see above)

Interests/Hobbies:
• Enjoy learning and using new skills
• Photography, theatre, movies
• Using computers and technology-based equipment
• Being active and outdoors

References:

Melanie Sondergaard
The Learning Shop
(250) 842-6500

Maxime Lechance
Previous Canada World Youth Supervisor, Kelowna/Beijing program
(514 688 8553)

Final Thoughts

These are only a portion of the events that have had bearing on my outdoor and community oriented life. My views and values have been shaped through my experiences and the people I've shared them with. Although those views are likely subject to change in the future, I am confident that they will continue to be focused and motivated by environmental sustainability and community development.

For now, I will continue my studies of environmental planning here at UNBC. I would like to branch into social work and perhaps pursue more outdoor and recreational tourism management courses. It's my fondness of the the natural world and keeping it "natural" that drives me towards sharing it with my own home town in hopes of inspiring and encouraging them. With proper planning, we can create a successful and sustainable partnership with the outdoors and our local economy. It's this balance of social integration with a green responsibility that I intend to strive for.

Hazelton Flood

During the summer I worked in the "Check Your Latitude" group, Old Hazelton was under the risk of flooding. It was situated at the junction of the Skeena and Bulkley River. My group volunteered our time to help bag sand that would be used in an attempt to slow flooding of the historical first nations museum K'san. This was a important resource to Hazelton, as it was one of our most successful tourism asset. The buildings themselves also housed valuable native artifacts and relics that would be damaged and costs thousands of dollars. The disaster could have been much worse, but was still a striving event that we should be prepared for in the future.

The Bulkley River below Hagwilget Suspension Bridge

K'san Village with flooded roads

A flooded parking lot

Roche de Boule

The maps of trails had been created for Hazelton, a small but valuable resource available to people ready to challenge themselves. However, having explored the trails myself, I was looking for a new goal to conquer.

The Blue Lakes, as beautiful as they were, depicted only a medium physical challenge. I wanted something bigger, something to test my might and determination. The only thing that could really top the long, but ample-grade trail to them was to go higher and steeper; that criteria would be filled by the large, gargantuan mountain called Roche de Boule.

There was always something majestic about the mountain that oversaw our little community. Everywhere you went, you could see Hagwilget Peak, acting as a geographical marker. Everytime I drove by it on highway 16, I would stare at it; it's vegetation, it's rocks, it's bouldering demeanor. Something deep inside me was driving me to climb it.

Unlike climbing the Gros Mourne Mountain, weather was a critical factor in this all-day excursion. There were steep talus slopes that would be very dangerous and difficult to climb under wet conditions. Finding the available time to do it was an obstacle as well; finding a day that could work around my friends and my work schedule.

Fortunately, the day we chose was just amazing; dry, sunny and just a beautiful time to climb. I won't go into detail about the climb, but rather let the pictures speak for themselves.

For a long time, I wondered why I had never seen photos of the Hazeltons from atop the peak. I uploaded them onto my public Facebook account and was pleased to see so many comments and "likes." It wasn't so much to gloat and say "Hey, look, I climbed a mountain," but to show my family and friends, "Hey, look at how quaint Hazelton is, hidden away in a beautiful landscape. We really do have something to be proud of here!" I hope people will see the photos and be inspired to climb their own mountains someday...

Growing out of nothing: a symbol?

Difficult terrain

Quite a challenge

Almost there...

Well worth the hike

The Hazeltons

Old Hazelton

Trails of Hazelton

I moved home once more after biking across Canada and living in Montreal for three months. It may have been a freezing winter for everyone else, but for me, I was happy to be home after being gone for seven months. It became a strong motivation for myself to explore my small town; I had lived there most of my life, but there was still so much to explore.

Google maps was a helpful tool I used in seeking out new trails for exploration. I would look closely at the birds-eye view landscape and looking for physical paths to walk or bike. "What's that white thing? I should go find out!" "How do I get down to the river? Oh look, there's a path!" "Hey, there's something that leads down to the lake! I'm going to explore it!" I had lots of free time to seek out and mark these new trails, some that I had no idea existed.

Later in the spring, I attained a job at the New Hazelton Fitness Center A responsibility of this job was to increase awareness of physical activities around the Hazelton area. With the help of some contacts at the Forestry Office, I was able to print a large scale map of all the trails I had been exploring and mapping. My goal was to have people look at this map and think, "Hmm...I didn't know there was a trail there. I should go see where it leads one day." Users of the gym could find an alternative to running or walking on a treadmill and instead, walk a new and green path they had never knew about. It was this kind of excitement I was hoping to capture and encourage around Hazelton.

View Exploring Hazelton in a larger map

Blue Lakes

Having that talk with Chris during Katimavik left me wondering what my own community had that I'd always taken for granted. I remembered a photograph in a broken picture frame above our bathroom sink. I asked my parents one day where it was. They informed me it was Blue Lakes, and the start of the trail to them was just outside of New Hazelton. I was never aware that something so pristine and beautiful was just outside of town! I vowed that upon finishing Katimavik and returning home, I would seek Blue Lakes out. There would be several weeks left of summer, so I had no time to lose recruiting some friends to join me. It was an ardious task, finding those willing and with free time. Hours later, then reaching the second glacial lake, my friends took me aside and thanked me for bringing them up there. It really was my pleasure.

Gros Mourne National Park

"It is not the mountain we conquer, but something in ourselves." This quote may have been said spoken by many people and changed over time, but it's message remains the same. Only after climbing my own personal and physical mountains have I come to realize what the meaning behind this encompasses. Being born and raised in British Columbia, I've been given ample opportunity to climb these mountains and see things more clear with each peak I reach. The majestic symbolism that mountains held for me began in Newfoundland in Gros Mourne National Park.

My Katimavik group was on a camping trip in the park for an excursion. Part of our trip included a climb a mountain who's name I fail to recall. After a very wet nights sleep in saturated tents, we came to the base of the mountain slightly damn, tired and not all that enthusiastic. We trudged up the mountain in a quiet stupor.

There was a small rest area with a view of the large mountain ahead of us. The weather hadn't been cooperative and we were warned about hiking in the area with cloudy weather. It was warned that fog could get so thick, you would'nt be able to see where you were walking and go right over a cliff! Our project leader Jill gave us a choice: we could continue in hopes the weather would improve, or we could finish our lunch, call it a day and return to the van.

I pondered the options. I really wanted to climb the mountain, but I was exhausted and didn't feel like walking off a cliff. I had recently created a list of things to-do before I die. This felt like something I could put on the list, and would require me to return to Newfoundland one day to accomplish this. I didn't want this! I looked at the mountain and saw a streak of sun shine through the clouds; it looked like the weather was going to get better. I knew my group didn't want to only come half way either. With a quick concensus, we all agreed to continue.

The weather did indeed improve. We stripped our garbage bag covers, our sweaters and our negative attitudes and hiked up the mountain slowly, but with a fiery determination. This was one of the most challenging things some members of my group had ever done, being very city-oriented folk. Although I had climbed mountains before, this was one of the largest I had ever done. I felt a large load of guilt relieved off my shoulders upon reaching the summit. I realized my doubt had been my "mountain," as I was perfectly capable of climbing this mountain that lay before us, as we all were.

Presently, I take more consideration of weather conditions in such large scale physical activities. Regardless, there are definitely mental barriers we must overcome before we can even start to climb our mountains.

This has become a philosophy of mine, one carried into all my personal life. When faced with challenges, we can surprise ourselves at what we are capable of accomplishing.

Changing weather conditions hopefully

Things are looking better already

Made it!

With support from friends

Suicide Rates

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2007/11/22/bc-hazeltonsuicides.html

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=32945fb5-d395-4f70-971f-839bfaedd77c&k=44288&p=1

http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=40448

http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/20080122114131/local/news/suicide-rate-in-hazeltons-alarming-northern-health.html

Having become increasingly active and involved in my community over the years, I was devastated to learn that the depression that my home town had dealt with for so long was still evident, a whirlpool of grief growing deeper with each person who took their life. Something drastic needed to be done; an act that would raise awareness of this dire problem and would inspire everyone. But this would have to be something well beyond growing a garden or playing a game. It would have to be something huge...

Trails of Hazelton

Check Your Latitude

The Garden Challenge was just one of the projects of the "Check Your Latitude" team employed through the Learning Shop. This was the community development center that often received government grants that allowed the organization to hire youth to create social programs for other youth. In the summer of 2007, we created and executed several projects:

The Garden Challenge, the ground-breaking work at a demonstration garden site (The Senden Site) kids camps and kitchens and "Recess"

The Garden Challenge was a pilot project with a goal of creating a learning atmosphere for the residents of Hazelton. With diabetes becoming a growing cause of heart disease in our area, we sought to educate and inspire locals to get their thumbs green and grow a garden. The Senden property site acted as a demonstration site, equipped with raised bed gardens and a green house to example growing techniques for agriculture accustomed to our regions climate. It was given a competitive edge as we documented the project, participants and their progress on a website blog . Slow-going at first, we found it successful. Participants vowed to return with bigger and greener vegetables now that they knew what they were doing.

The Senden site, as mentioned, was a demonstration garden site. The Check Your Latitude group was what I referred to as, "The wrecking crew." We were the first to begin landscaping, gardening and publicizing the site to the town. In the future, it would become a valuable and informative center meant to encourage sustainable farming and growing techniques, provide training for agricultural and other life skills, and be an established outlet for selling locally grown fruits and vegetables and wild game. It would be a positive asset to locals and visiting tourists eager to learn about the impact of food in our area and cultural methods of hunting and gathering.

We created camps and kitchen programs established at a younger generation as well. The camps consisted of games and activities meant to encourage physical activity, while the kitchen supported a partnering healthy diet. A fun part of the camp was to watch the "Veggie Heroes," super vegetable characters ready to smite lethargy and fatty foods! The children never did quite place why Devon Flynn and "The Amazing Apple" were never seen at the same time.

Where the Garden Challenge and kids kitchens were meant to impose and educate healthy eating habits, "Recess" was strictly meant to encourage physical activity. Although it initially was meant to pay homage to old school yard games like manhunt, capture the flag, and kick the can, it consisted primarily of manhunt, everyones favorite. The age of children who played ranged from 6-15, but they were all enthusiastic regardless. After the last game, I implored a message to the youth: they didn't need us to set the game up for them. All they required was a bit of leadership to gather a group of bored people wanting to play a game and someone to raise their hand and say "I'll be it." I was very disappointed to return the following summer and have a previous child inform me they didn't play another game after we left. Unfortunately, I believed this to foreshadow a deeper-rooted problem than just lack of enthusiasm or leadership...

Lots of fresh local vegetables

The Hazelton Iron Chef Challenge

Veggie heroes

Our supervisor, Erica, helping promote an event

The Kids Kitchen

Starting a potato patch

The Check Your Latitude Team

Our bike-powered float in a parade

Checking up on a Garden Challenge Participant

Hazelton Area Theatre Society

The Hazelton Area Theatre Society,or H.A.T.S as they are locally known, is a troupe of talented actors, often young but accompanied by older veteran actors. They write and perform historical plays depicting and somewhat accurate characters and events of the pioneer history of Hazelton. You may meet Jean Caux Cateline, the Spanish mule train packer, or learn how Horace Wrinch came to Hazelton and started the hospital still standing today. These plays are very entertaining and informative for those new to the area. Although funding issues have been a stint in the organization's recurrence in the summer time, they are treat to watch. If you're not careful, you just might get dragged into a play yourself!

I've had the pleasure of working with H.A.T.S for several years. I became close friends with other actors. My theatrical skills developed as an actor and being responsible for publicity. Public relations and venue booking were simple, myself knowing those in charge of the establishments we performed at. Over the years, H.A.T.S has attemtped to integrate itself into walking-tour style form of acting; plays on the go, with historical figures guiding you around the native K'san Village sharing bits of knowledge that you would never find in a guide book.

The first Wrinch Memorial staff

A walking tour next to a historical themed cafe

Kispiox Valley Music Festival

The Kispiox Valley Music Festival is one of the two largest events in the Hazelton area,, and easily my favorite (The other being the Kispiox Valley Rodeo) The soothing music, the vibrant colors of the local and travelling partakers and the majestic setting beside the Kispiox River make for a fantastic setting for a festival well worth coming out to.

Music Festivals have always been huge tourist attraction, as much as any location and the cultural that location encompasses. The Kispiox Valley Music Festival is no exception. It's a time where people from across Canada and even further can enjoy delicious vendor food, purchase local art and just have a drink in the most friendly atmosphere.

I take it upon myself to volunteer at this festival every year in hopes of making the next one better than the previous. It's a great opportunity to bond with community members and even meet new people, joining efforts for a shared cause that everyone loves.

The main stage

Native dancers

A music-loving crowd

Hazelton - Where's That?

Hazelton is a small mountain community in Northwestern British Columbia. We are renowned for our superb landscapes that are home to some of the best fishing and hunting in Canada. For those willing to look beyond those qualities, they will learn we are rich in history with a colorful background of pioneer and native history. Local artists weave these elements into beautiful works of art that entrance tourists from corners of the world.

Hazelton, although lacking in certainly some opportunities available elsewhere with thriving economies, surely offers something unique to those willing to seek it out.

A common theme with one-resource towns who's economy dwindles is the desperate reach to tourism as a final revenue-boosting resort. Hazelton is no exception. I have seen this option turned and tuned several times. We have to remember that tourism is subject to change and unforseen events. In the past years, I've supported projects that can provide for locals, as well as tourists. It's been challenging, but rewarding nonetheless.

Some local art

Great fishing

...and great hunting!

New Hazelton Fitness Center

I was never really able to push for the same physical lifestyle as when I biked across Canada. However, I was given an opportunity that may have only been achieved because of that same accomplishment.

In May 2009, I was employed as the New Hazelton Fitness Center operator. I took great pride in this job, hoping to give a physical outlet for my home town, which at the time sorely needed a community structure to provide this.

Wanting to go beyond simply opening and closing the front door, I took an active role in the customers using my gym. A community bulletin board became a vital information hub, connecting users with in Hazelton for physical fitness and health opportunties outside the gym; a walking group looking for members, promotional deals at the new bakery, the grand opening of the skateboard park, etc. I had some friends at the Ministry of Forestry print off a large scale map that I marked with trails around Hazelton. Many of these were unknown, even to myself having just discovered them. I wanted the people of Hazelton to make the same discovery I made in Corner Brook; that our own town has hidden treasures and opportunities to be proud of, many of which are coveted by tourists that flock to our area in the summer. To market these attractions, locals must first realize the potential to appreciate them before we can share them with the world. In this case, the wonderful geography of the area we live in and take for granted.