That sounds like a smashing idea. Perhaps simple at first makes sense with the option of growing it outwards as the community grow. The mining token economics makes the most sense to me. Provides a stem of which to grow off of. I like the MAPLE tie to HBD.
I was think about a contest to get more Canadian to join hive and help build the community. Still just kicking around the idea but some kind of membership drive.
RE: Canada Vault update 090122