Selkirk Innovates

Meet Julianna!

Julianna Austen is a graduate of the Rural Pre-Medicine Program at Selkirk College. This summer, she has a paid research internship with Dr. Tracey Harvey and team, supporting the Innovating within the Regional Cannabis Sector project.

We wish Julianna all the best in her preparation for the MCAT and her upcoming studies at Dalhousie University.

Take the first steps toward a fulfilling career in the health sciences with the Rural Pre-Medicine Program: https://selkirk.ca/programs/university-arts-sciences/rural-pre-medicine

Learn more about the regional cannabis sector project: https://selkirk.ca/research-innovation/social-innovation-lab/innovating-within-regional-cannabis-sector

As summer winds down and we're looking forward to welcoming students back to campus in a few weeks, we're excited to spotlight one of our recent RPM graduates.

🌟 Summer Student Spotlight: Julianna Austen

Congratulations to RPM graduate Julianna Austen on her summer work study position with Selkirk Innovates!

This summer, Julianna is contributing to the Cannabis Development Project, exploring rural identity and the economic development of cannabis in the Kootenays through research, data analysis, and community-based project support.

Building on the research skills she developed in the Rural Pre-Medicine (RPM) program, Julianna is gaining valuable experience while balancing preparation for the MCAT. This fall, she'll continue her journey at Dalhousie University, where she'll study Microbiology and Immunology as she works toward her goal of a career in medicine.

Congratulations, Julianna! We look forward to seeing all you'll accomplish.


Selkirk College

There is a new posting for a research internship with Selkirk Innovates this fall.

Research Intern: Outdoor Recreation Economy

Support a project called Trails, Towns, Talent: Building BC’s Rural Outdoor Economy. This is a one-time initiative to help rural BC communities examine how outdoor recreation can be used more intentionally as an economic and community development strategy. The partner organization for this project is the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC.

Apply by September 10, 2026.

Get more information and apply here: https://selkirk.ca/research-innovation/skills-training-internships/intern-postings

is the applied research department of Selkirk College.

Students and recent graduates, come work with us! There are two new job postings for research internships this fall.

Research Intern: State of the Basin
Support the State of the Basin program – an ongoing initiative that monitors and reports on indicators of social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being in the Columbia Basin-Boundary Region. Apply by August 27, 2026, 4:00 p.m.

Research Intern: Regional Sport Economy
Support the State of the Regional Sport Economy project – a one-time effort to gather and assess datasets that collectively tell the story of how sport contributes to the local economy while generating wider community development benefits. Apply by September 8, 2026, 4:00 p.m.

Get more information and apply here: https://selkirk.ca/research-innovation/skills-training-internships/intern-postings

is the applied research department of Selkirk College.

Climate change is already affecting agriculture across the Columbia Basin. While changing weather patterns can create challenges for farmers, longer growing seasons may open new opportunities. Change drives innovation, so it’s no surprise many agricultural businesses are adapting operations while strengthening their business.

Learn about how Pippin Point Farms in Wynndel is investing in projects that both reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance their ability to thrive in the uncertain years ahead:
https://basinclimatesource.ca/july-2026-newsletter



Columbia Basin Climate Source, a project of Columbia Basin Trust, is developed and managed in partnership with Selkirk Innovates. is the applied research arm of Selkirk College.

Photo: Pippin Point

Student job posting: Research Intern: TechEdge – Advancing Digital Adoption. Apply by August 17, 2026.

Support the Kootenay Association for Science and Technology (KAST) with the design and implementation of their TechEdge program. The TechEdge program aims to provide a practical pathway to innovative technology and AI integration curated to the reality of regional businesses and organizations.

Get more info and apply here: https://selkirk.ca/research-innovation/skills-training-internships/intern-postings

is the applied research department of Selkirk College.

Summer brings two inevitable shifts on roads in the Columbia Basin-Boundary Region: tourism and roadwork. Both tend to raise traffic as a top-of-mind issue for drivers, cyclists, and others travelling throughout the region.

It seems like our roads are getting busier every year, but is that really the case? Traffic data available through the State of the Basin helps us understand seasonal patterns and year-over-year changes in the regional transportation network.

Read more in the latest State of the Basin feature article: https://stateofthebasin.ca/feature/tracking-basin-traffic-trends

Get regional data insights to your inbox. Sign up for the State of the Basin newsletter: https://www.selkirk.ca/focus-newsletter

research is conducted by Selkirk College faculty and students, with funding support from Columbia Basin Trust.

Build in-demand skills and take your career to the next level! You could qualify for up to $3,500 toward short-term, flexible training through the StrongerBC future skills grant.

Selkirk College has eligible programs and courses in technology, innovation, trades, business, leadership and more!

The grant is open to BC residents aged 19 and over for courses delivered in person, online or in a hybrid format, making it easier than ever to fit learning into your life.

Limited spots available. Visit selkirk.ca/future-skills-grant

Last month, a group of women from the Kootenays found themselves in Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador, for the Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation Conference.

Hosted at Memorial University’s Grenfell Campus, the conference theme “Relational Wellness: Prioritizing Connections that Matter for Sustaining Rural, Island, and Northern Communities” offered an opportunity to explore rural partnerships, programs and policies.

Dr. Sarah-Patricia Breen, Regional Innovation Chair in Rural Economic Development at Selkirk College, co-presented with Robyn Peel, Community Economic Development Manager at Community Futures East Kootenay, on their experience working together.

Their research partnership investigating the business and operational needs of childcare in the Kootenay region started with a Mitacs research internship and resulted in a key findings report, business supports, policy briefings and an academic journal article.

This work led to Community Futures East Kootenay—together with Kootenay Employment Services and Community Futures Central Kootenay—being successfully funded by the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP) to strengthen the resiliency and sustainability of the Kootenay childcare sector through the Kootenay Childcare Initiative. The two-year program includes recruiting Early Childhood Educators, supporting childcare business development and building childcare infrastructure.

Sarah and Robyn’s presentation showed how applied research can have meaningful impacts, especially when partnerships are built with openness, curiosity, respect and shared goals.

Leeza Perehudoff, a Selkirk College research assistant, shared the results of her master’s thesis research exploring rural community–college partnerships. Her findings indicate that place-based connections play an important role in shaping partnerships, with relational qualities such as trust and reciprocity influencing partnership experiences and outcomes.

Another Kootenay resident, Danika Hammond, policy analyst with the Government of British Columbia’s Rural Policy and Programs Branch, shared how the provincial government is developing and implementing rural programs and policies. Danika is also a council member for the Village of New Denver and owner of the Silverton General Store.

Together, this group of women proudly represented the Kootenay region at this conference with rural residents and leaders from across Canada.



Kootenay Employment Services - Creston, Cranbrook, Fernie, Invermere

Effective climate action takes all of us, and young people across the Columbia Basin are proving they can make a big difference.

Learn more about how Basin youth are building careers while tackling climate change: https://basinclimatesource.ca/june-2026-newsletter



Columbia Basin Climate Source, a project of Columbia Basin Trust, is developed and managed in partnership with Selkirk Innovates. is the applied research arm of Selkirk College.

We all need to eat, but our food systems face serious challenges. By sharing our knowledge, we can create better food systems 🌱

“Teaching Food Studies” is a new book from Edward Elgar Publishing exploring how to understand and teach food studies towards a more equitable and sustainable world.

Chapter 19: Food Systems Policy looks at the importance of policy to food systems, with an emphasis on integrated policy. This chapter was co-authored by Dr. Sarah Patricia Breen, BC Regional Innovation Chair in Rural Economic Development at Selkirk College, Dr. Hannah Harrison, Dalhousie University, Dr. Charles Levkoe, Lakehead University, and Dr. Kristen Lowitt, Queen's University.

Read the book chapter: https://www.elgaronline.com/edcollchap/book/9781035346783/chapter19.xml

Order the book: https://www.e-elgar.com/shop/usd/teaching-food-studies-9781035346776.html

Learn more about the Regional Innovation Chair at : https://selkirk.ca/research-innovation/regional-innovation-chair

is the applied research arm of Selkirk College.