Success Stories

Westwords: Stories from the Sunshine Coast

A sharing of a rural BC community’s story and culture

Sunshine Coast, British Columbia is situated on the opposite side of the Howe Sound inlet and can only be accessed by ferry from Vancouver. Its physical isolation from the growing Vancouver metropolis in the 20th century has enabled some local residents to produce exciting and original stories inspired by Canada’s unique backcountry.

Westwords: Stories of the Sunshine Coast, a Web site produced by the Gibson and District Library and the Cunning Crow Designs Inc., portrays the history of the Sunshine Coast through peculiar and flavourful stories of two local writers, Howard White and Joan MacLeod. In keeping with the vivacious spirit of the writings, the site creators wish to make Internet users experience, rather than simply visit this Internet site.

Mike Crowhurst, a young Canadian in his mid-twenties, had already started his modest design company, Cunning Crow Designs, when he submitted a proposal to the Canada’s Digital Collections (CDC) program. He was awarded a contract and hired two additional students to work on the Westwords project. The benefits and opportunities resulting from that contract were numerous.

As of March 2000, the Canada’s Digital Collections program, funded by the Youth Employment Strategy, has enabled over 2,300 young Canadians (ages 15-30) to gain valuable work experience in the multimedia sector.

Since the project’s completion, Cunning Crow Designs “has benefited from the successful design and layout of the project, not so much from the site’s exposure on the Internet, but rather by using it as a tool to prove our abilities to other groups and reap further contracts,” explains Mike Crowhurst. The project also helped Mike sharpen his managerial and design skills necessary for his rapidly growing company.

Canada’s Digital Collections was also beneficial for the youths involved in the project and the Gibson Library, which provided the material for the collection. The youth were able to expand and share their skills as well as produce a Web site that they can proudly present to possible employers. Mike was very impressed by the students’ work ethic, team cooperation and creative energy. He describes his experience working with the team members as one of “enjoyment, casual rapport, excellent creative energy and complete trust in their competence to carry out the project effectively.”

As for the Gibson Library, the CDC project “has opened up new avenues of getting kids into the library, has taught the librarians new skills and has given the library renewed life in obtaining additional funds to develop Web site and other marketing options,” explains Mike Crowhurst.

The organizations and persons involved in creating this highly interactive and dynamic site are not the only ones who benefited from the CDC project. Canadians across the country can also enjoy the Westwords experience. “By making everyone aware of what’s available close at hand, it makes us all proud to be a part of this country, makes us more informed of our history and gives us insight as to why we are the way we are,” proclaims the patriotic Crowhurst.

The Westwords: Stories from the Sunshine Coast Web site is an excellent example of how Internet technology can enable a small Canadian rural community to share its unique culture and history across Canada and the world. 

Visit the Canada's Digital Collections World Wide Web Site at http://collections.ic.gc.ca