OUR TEAM
About Us
In 2013, Simon Cretien, a young man from the Canadian village of Appleton, Ontario attended university in Quito, Ecuador. During the course of his studies he visited many small communities in Ecuador, and one in particular made a special impression.
The village of Piñán is located in a high and remote area of the Ecuadorian Andes. The members of this community are descendants of the Kechwa Indigenous people. Villagers live in basic conditions: mud huts with thatched grass roofs, and cook on wood fires. A string of power lines through the village stands out as a modern addition.
Piñán’s isolated location and difficult colonial history has had a lasting impact on its people. Livelihoods are scarce and poverty is starkly present. The remote location and lack of education and opportunities means that most people are forced to leave their village to find work, for months at a time or even permanently.
When Cretien returned to Piñán in 2015, he met with village leader Fausto Rodriguez, who told him “We need help for our children, for them to learn, study in high school and university because not one person from our community has ever graduated from high school.”
In response, Cretien founded the charitable organization “Community Ascent Network” to help the community fulfill its dream of education for its youth. In 2018 Community Ascent started raising funds to hire teachers and began high school classes in the village. By 2020 Community Ascent had completed the construction of a high school in the village and in 2022 Piñán had its first ever high school graduates.
Currently all of the young people in the village attend school, with young women especially benefiting from Community Ascent’s work. Previously, many girls rarely completed elementary school, often staying home to help with household chores. All the girls in the village now attend school on a regular basis, and half the high school graduating class are young women.
These recent Piñán graduates now have new goals that they never thought possible: to attend college or university.
Veronica is completing her 2nd year of Animal Sciences, specializing in livestock care. Next year she will be the community's first ever university graduate. After graduation Veronica plans to help Indigenous families throughout her region to care for their livestock and to improve production of dairy products. This will contribute to sustainable incomes in Piñan and other Indigenous communities.
To support this ongoing education project Community Ascent Network is holding a December fundraiser. Please consider a donation to help Veronica and other students in her community. All funds raised will go directly to Project Piñan to support high school programs and further education opportunities for the youth of this community.
In September 2023 a group of our supporters from Almonte, Ontario visited Pinan
with Ecuadorian tour guide Ivan Suarez.
OUR SUPPORTERS
ACKNOWLEDGING OUR SUPPORTERS
The success of our projects is owed to the help of all of our supporters.
We owe a special mention to those who have made significant contributions to our projects over the years through the support of their services or financial contributions.
These individuals have helped to make an ongoing impact for the youth of this community:
JOHN SWEETNAM
FRANK BAKER
CLOUD FOREST COFFEE
POKOLOKO LTD.
ADRIAN BAKER AND ROBERT CRETIEN
IVAN SUAREZ
SAM BALET
NANCY BURNEO
JAKE STOTE
OUR PARTNERS
MUNICIPIO COTACACHI
CLOUD FOREST COFFEE
UEMPRENDE
POKOLOKO
MUNICIPIO DE IMANTAG
UNIVERSIDAD DE AZUAY
FUNDACION COFIVAL
SIMON CRETIEN
FOUNDER / EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Simon was introduced to community development in 2007 through a 6 month youth program in Benin, West Africa with Canada World Youth. Simon now has a joint degree in international development and environmental studies from Trent University, one year of which was spent studying in Ecuador at Universidad Andina and working with rural community organizations on the north border with Columbia. Since, Simon has studied development project management at the E2E foundation in Medellin, Columbia and is currently the General manager of the Castlegar Nordic Ski Club.
Simon routinely travels to South America to stay in touch with the communities and friends who he works with there. When he is not fueling his passion for travel and culture Simon coaches circus youth programs through various schools and organizations. He lives near Nelson, BC where he has planted nearly one million trees.
ROBERT
CRETIEN
President
Robert holds a Bachelor of Environmental Science degree from Royal Roads University, Victoria, BC and a Diploma in Agriculture from Kemptville, Ontario Agricultural College. Now retired, Robert had a 30 year career with the federal public service. He served as Head of Natural Resources in the Department of National Defence where he was responsible for environmental programs for the department’s lands. Previous to that, as a certified arborist, he served with Agriculture Canada as Supervisor of the Dominion Arboretum in Ottawa. Robert is a recycling pioneer, having been a member of Port Moody Recycling, one of the first recycling operations in Canada. Throughout his life he has been an advocate for social justice. As well as Treasurer of the Community Ascent Network, he is also a fundraiser and volunteer for Child Haven International. For the past 30 years he has lived in the village of Appleton, Ontario.
ROBERT CRETIEN
PRESIDENT
Robert holds a Bachelor of Environmental Science degree from Royal Roads University, Victoria, BC and a Diploma in Agriculture from Kemptville, Ontario Agricultural College. Now retired, Robert had a 30 year career with the federal public service. He served as Head of Natural Resources in the Department of National Defence where he was responsible for environmental programs for the department’s lands. Previous to that, as a certified arborist, he served with Agriculture Canada as Supervisor of the Dominion Arboretum in Ottawa. Robert is a recycling pioneer, having been a member of Port Moody Recycling, one of the first recycling operations in Canada. Throughout his life he has been an advocate for social justice. As well as Treasurer of the Community Ascent Network, he is also a fundraiser and volunteer for Child Haven International. For the past 30 years he has lived in the village of Appleton, Ontario.
ROBERT
CRETIEN
President
Robert holds a Bachelor of Environmental Science degree from Royal Roads University, Victoria, BC and a Diploma in Agriculture from Kemptville, Ontario Agricultural College. Now retired, Robert had a 30 year career with the federal public service. He served as Head of Natural Resources in the Department of National Defence where he was responsible for environmental programs for the department’s lands. Previous to that, as a certified arborist, he served with Agriculture Canada as Supervisor of the Dominion Arboretum in Ottawa. Robert is a recycling pioneer, having been a member of Port Moody Recycling, one of the first recycling operations in Canada. Throughout his life he has been an advocate for social justice. As well as Treasurer of the Community Ascent Network, he is also a fundraiser and volunteer for Child Haven International. For the past 30 years he has lived in the village of Appleton, Ontario.
GORDON TRUSCOTT
VICE PRESIDENT
Gordon has spent 35 years as a pioneer in the natural products industry with experience and expertise in brand marketing, product sourcing, business development and distribution strategies.
Gordon was born in the metropolitan Vancouver area where he has lived, aside from a year in 77 where he met his partner of 40 years, Isabel. He has studied at SFU, UBC and Universite Lyon II in English and French languages and literature. Gordon has been sole-proprietor, part owner and manager of several highly successful marketing companies including Horizon Marketing, New age Marketing, and Indigo Natural Products Management, He currently operates his own consulting firm, GT Consulting. He describes himself as a natural foods life-styler and environmentalist and is an avid soccer player with 30 years as a league player. Gordon has held board positions on various co-op and community organizations from 1980 to present.
ROBERT
CRETIEN
President
Robert holds a Bachelor of Environmental Science degree from Royal Roads University, Victoria, BC and a Diploma in Agriculture from Kemptville, Ontario Agricultural College. Now retired, Robert had a 30 year career with the federal public service. He served as Head of Natural Resources in the Department of National Defence where he was responsible for environmental programs for the department’s lands. Previous to that, as a certified arborist, he served with Agriculture Canada as Supervisor of the Dominion Arboretum in Ottawa. Robert is a recycling pioneer, having been a member of Port Moody Recycling, one of the first recycling operations in Canada. Throughout his life he has been an advocate for social justice. As well as Treasurer of the Community Ascent Network, he is also a fundraiser and volunteer for Child Haven International. For the past 30 years he has lived in the village of Appleton, Ontario.
SAGE RAYMOND
SECRETARY
Sage currently splits her time between the University of Alberta, where she studies the ecology of urban coyotes in the doctorate program, and a remote valley in southeastern British Columbia, where she does paperwork, watches the river, looks for bears, and goes for lots of hikes and paddles. She has a bachelor’s degree in Biology through Thompson River’s University and a diploma in Recreation, Fish and Wildlife through Selkirk College. Sage has seen the benefits that sustainable ecotourism can have for small communities firsthand, having worked as a senior bear viewing guide in BC’s inland temperate rainforest for five years. Sage is also an accredited wildlife tracker, a certified wildlife technician and an all-around nature nerd. She sees the work that CAN does as a beautiful example of the positive outcomes that ultimately develop when we prioritize both people and the environment.
ROBERT
CRETIEN
President
Robert holds a Bachelor of Environmental Science degree from Royal Roads University, Victoria, BC and a Diploma in Agriculture from Kemptville, Ontario Agricultural College. Now retired, Robert had a 30 year career with the federal public service. He served as Head of Natural Resources in the Department of National Defence where he was responsible for environmental programs for the department’s lands. Previous to that, as a certified arborist, he served with Agriculture Canada as Supervisor of the Dominion Arboretum in Ottawa. Robert is a recycling pioneer, having been a member of Port Moody Recycling, one of the first recycling operations in Canada. Throughout his life he has been an advocate for social justice. As well as Treasurer of the Community Ascent Network, he is also a fundraiser and volunteer for Child Haven International. For the past 30 years he has lived in the village of Appleton, Ontario.
IAN HULL
TREASURER
ROBERT
CRETIEN
President
Robert holds a Bachelor of Environmental Science degree from Royal Roads University, Victoria, BC and a Diploma in Agriculture from Kemptville, Ontario Agricultural College. Now retired, Robert had a 30 year career with the federal public service. He served as Head of Natural Resources in the Department of National Defence where he was responsible for environmental programs for the department’s lands. Previous to that, as a certified arborist, he served with Agriculture Canada as Supervisor of the Dominion Arboretum in Ottawa. Robert is a recycling pioneer, having been a member of Port Moody Recycling, one of the first recycling operations in Canada. Throughout his life he has been an advocate for social justice. As well as Treasurer of the Community Ascent Network, he is also a fundraiser and volunteer for Child Haven International. For the past 30 years he has lived in the village of Appleton, Ontario.
ALISON STADNYK
BOARD MEMBER
Alison Stadnyk is passionate about this project as a result of her travels in South America. While traveling in Ecuador she witnessed the most beautiful culture including music, art and colourful craftsmanship she had ever seen. She noticed the incredible talent of the Ecuadorean people as well as their welcoming and loving demeanor. It was this experience that inspired Alison to contribute to CAN and give back to the people of rural Ecuador, helping them to have the opportunity to develop their skills and keep their culture thriving.
Alison is a registered Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner and acupuncturist, an entrepreneur currently running her second business, as well as a musician, dancer, and traveler at heart. She resides in Rossland, BC where she hosts her TCM clinic Pine & Needle Wellness.
ROBERT
CRETIEN
President
Robert holds a Bachelor of Environmental Science degree from Royal Roads University, Victoria, BC and a Diploma in Agriculture from Kemptville, Ontario Agricultural College. Now retired, Robert had a 30 year career with the federal public service. He served as Head of Natural Resources in the Department of National Defence where he was responsible for environmental programs for the department’s lands. Previous to that, as a certified arborist, he served with Agriculture Canada as Supervisor of the Dominion Arboretum in Ottawa. Robert is a recycling pioneer, having been a member of Port Moody Recycling, one of the first recycling operations in Canada. Throughout his life he has been an advocate for social justice. As well as Treasurer of the Community Ascent Network, he is also a fundraiser and volunteer for Child Haven International. For the past 30 years he has lived in the village of Appleton, Ontario.
AYLEN SANCHEZ
BOARD MEMBER
Though Aylen considers herself at home in the Kootenay mountains, she is originally from Córdoba, Argentina and therefore feels deeply connected to the lands and people of South America. Aylen has received her diploma as Social Service Worker and works in the Human Services Field.
“This is why I resonated so deeply with the project CAN, I believed that I collaborate with the projects by bringing in my understanding of the social dynamics that are in play in South America and a professional lens that I have acquired through my studies and work.”
Aylen is passionate about social justice and has a strong belief that mutual collaboration between humans in the answer to some of our current social dilemmas.
ROBERT
CRETIEN
President
Robert holds a Bachelor of Environmental Science degree from Royal Roads University, Victoria, BC and a Diploma in Agriculture from Kemptville, Ontario Agricultural College. Now retired, Robert had a 30 year career with the federal public service. He served as Head of Natural Resources in the Department of National Defence where he was responsible for environmental programs for the department’s lands. Previous to that, as a certified arborist, he served with Agriculture Canada as Supervisor of the Dominion Arboretum in Ottawa. Robert is a recycling pioneer, having been a member of Port Moody Recycling, one of the first recycling operations in Canada. Throughout his life he has been an advocate for social justice. As well as Treasurer of the Community Ascent Network, he is also a fundraiser and volunteer for Child Haven International. For the past 30 years he has lived in the village of Appleton, Ontario.
SARAH MEUNIER
BOARD MEMBER
Sarah grew up on a farm Quebec but was exposed to Latin American cultures at a young age while traveling to places such as Honduras and Nicaragua. She received a Diploma in Social Sciences (North-South Studies) from Dawson College in Montreal. She now lives in the Kootenay region of British Columbia and still enjoys traveling to Central and South America whenever possible. Sarah has worked as a coordinator for the Trans Canada Trail organization and is currently working with the Parks and Trails Society in Castlegar, BC. She is interested in exploring the living and working conditions of the developing world and seeking to contribute to the development of sustainable communities lead by the local people. Being part of the CAN is her way of helping people one small community at a time.
ROBERT
CRETIEN
President
Robert holds a Bachelor of Environmental Science degree from Royal Roads University, Victoria, BC and a Diploma in Agriculture from Kemptville, Ontario Agricultural College. Now retired, Robert had a 30 year career with the federal public service. He served as Head of Natural Resources in the Department of National Defence where he was responsible for environmental programs for the department’s lands. Previous to that, as a certified arborist, he served with Agriculture Canada as Supervisor of the Dominion Arboretum in Ottawa. Robert is a recycling pioneer, having been a member of Port Moody Recycling, one of the first recycling operations in Canada. Throughout his life he has been an advocate for social justice. As well as Treasurer of the Community Ascent Network, he is also a fundraiser and volunteer for Child Haven International. For the past 30 years he has lived in the village of Appleton, Ontario.