A Venue for Collaboration - Métis Crossing
This last week, I had the opportunity to conduct a group training on collaboration at Métis Crossing and it made me reflect on the importance of a good venue for any kind of collaborative or group work. Of course, doing in-person training during COVID-19 will be a challenge at any location, because of the distancing and sanitation requirements. Beyond those specific needs though, there are a few things to keep in mind for an effective collaboration space.
When I think about the kinds of spaces I’ve been in, two images come to mind. First, the huge conference space with room for hundreds of people sitting with six or eight to a table. I’m usually freezing cold and the best way to find something to eat is to bring it with you.
The other image that comes to mind is the hotel basement conference room. Sometimes they have windows, but most often you are in a windowless setting with bland walls and little ambience. It’s stuffy, too hot, and at any chance people are escaping to get outside for some fresh air.
Of course, there are all kinds of logistical and practical considerations that you would have in mind when picking a space. The purpose of your event, the activities you have planned, and your budget all affect your choice. They’re standard and obvious.
What my experience at Métis Crossing made me think about was two of the less obvious aspects of a venue that help participants and facilitators come together to work effectively.
Natural connection
A location with ready access to the natural environment is always your best choice. Even if there is nothing planned as an outside activity and participants can only see the outside through the windows, a natural setting brings a sense of grounding and calm. It’s a hard feature to find as most events happen in built-up urban areas for reasons of travel and convenience.
In this regard, Métis Crossing is absolutely brilliant. The event centre is literally a few dozen steps from the shores of the North Saskatchewan River in a completely natural setting. The only other buildings on the site relate to the Métis cultural and interpretive functions of the site. And the event centre itself faces that river view with huge windows along almost the entire length of the building.
Working from the deck overlooking the North Saskatchewan River
We took our activities outside onto the covered deck, which also runs the full length of the building, in the afternoon and enjoyed the sunshine. Several of my students expressed their appreciation for being able to get out onto the deck or wander down the river trail.
A Sense of History
Métis Crossing is a significant Métis cultural site. The event centre is built on the site of the original river lots of the Métis settlers to the region. There are York boats, Red River carts, and Métis jiggers (although they weren’t dancing when I was there). It’s a historic site.
The sash is a symbol of
the
Métis People
Picture from metiscrossing.com
In collaborative work, or any group work really, the notion that you ‘belong’ is an important part of creating an effective group. Belonging cues signal that you are safe, you are valued, and that the relationship with the group will continue into the future. I believe that sense of history (or the history of a place) is also a belonging cue. The signal is that there is a lot of history here and by being here, you are a part of that history. This idea was one of my biggest take-away’s from my short time at Métis Crossing.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Métis Crossing and would absolutely recommend the site to anyone looking for a beautiful venue for group collaboration, a private event, or even just a bit of time away from the city. Reach out directly to find out more … metiscrossing@metis.org
Scott Millar often works as a "peacemaker" by gathering people with different experiences and values and helping them navigate beyond their differences to tackle complex problems together. Through Collaboration Dynamics, he offers a program in High Performance Collaboration, where he guides groups to explore the nature of collaboration, inclusivity, and innovation, and acquire new abilities to create the conditions that enable groups to contribute and thrive in challenging environments.
