The Ripple Effect Newsletter
July 17, 2009
Story 1
Calgary Chamber of Commerce 2009 AFN Keynote Luncheon Series
The Calgary Chamber of Commerce and its standing, member-based Aboriginal Opportunities Committee is pleased to partner with the Treaty 7 First Nations to host the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) 2009 Annual General Assembly from July 20 - 22, 2009.
The AFN is the national organization representing First Nations citizens and the over 630 First Nations communities in Canada. The Chiefs meet annually to set national policy and direction through resolution. The National Chief is elected every three years by the Chiefs-in-Assembly, and 2009 is an election year for the position of National Chief.
Over 3000 delegates are expected to register for the event in Calgary: 650 voting delegates and over 2350 observers, Elders, youth and media.
As part of the social event program during the Assembly, the Calgary Chamber will host three keynote business luncheons to celebrate business excellence and share best practices. This luncheon series is sponsored by TransCanada Pipelines.
High profile speakers invited to deliver the luncheon keynotes include:
Monday, July 20 - The Chamber Presents Allan McLeod, President and CEO of Tribal Councils Investment Group of Manitoba Ltd
Allan McLeod is the President and CEO of Tribal Councils Investment Group of Manitoba Ltd. (TCIG) and of Arctic Beverages Limited, the 2007 Pepsi Canada Bottler of the Year, which was recently nominated as one of four finalists for Pepsi-Cola's Donald M. Kendall Bottler of the Year Award -- the highest honor bestowed in the Pepsi system. He is President and CEO of First Canadian Health Management Corporation Inc., First Canadian Fuels Ltd., and the Radisson Hotel in Winnipeg, all companies wholly owned or 51% owned by TCIG and is a Director of Exchange Industrial Income Funds, Artis REIT, First Canadian Water and Infrastructure and Tribal Marketing Communications Inc. In 2003, Allan was honored with the Top 40 under 40 awards, a Canadian national award presented to individuals under 40 years of age who are outstanding young leaders of today and tomorrow. Allan has been recognized by the Winnipeg Free Press as one of the 30 most powerful Manitobans.
Tuesday, July 21 - The Chamber Presents Grand Chief Edward John (Akile Ch'oh)
The Grand Chief will be speaking on the topic of the proposed first nations recognition and reconciliation legislation in BC.Grand Chief Edward John (Akile Ch'oh) is a Hereditary Chief of Tl'azt'en Nation located on the banks of the Nak'al Bun (Stuart Lake) in Northern BC. Chief John has been a lawyer for 30 years. He has a BA from the University of Victoria, an LLB from the University of BC and a Honourary Ph.D. from the University of Northern BC.
Chief John is currently serving his eighth consecutive term on the First Nations Summit Task Group (political executive), which is mandated to carry out specific tasks related to Aboriginal Title and Rights negotiations with BC and Canada and other issues of common concern to First Nations in BC.
Chief John has served in many leadership roles at the local, provincial, national and international levels. He is a former Co-Chair of the North American Indigenous Caucus and participated in the development of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples which was adopted by the United Nations in September of 2007.
Wednesday, July 22 - The Chamber Presents Herb George (Satsan), Chair of the First Nations Governance Centre
Satsan is the President of the National Centre for First Nations Governance, a First Nations controlled initiative designed to help First Nations achieve their inherent right to self-government. Satsan is a Wet'suwet'en Hereditary Chief of the Frog Clan and has been a long-time Speaker for the Wet'suwet'en Nation and previously served as Speaker for both the Gitxsan and the Wet'suwet'en Nations. He was also Adjunct Associate Professor in the School of Public Administration at the University of Victoria, and taught for several years in the University's Administration of Aboriginal Governments Program.
Satsan has considerable experience with Aboriginal rights and title as well as Aboriginal self-government and education. He was a key figure and strategist in the Delgamuukw-Gisday Wa case, which was the subject of a successful judgement before the Supreme Court of Canada in December 1997. Satsan has offered advice and assistance to First Nations across British Columbia and Canada on the affirmation and recognition of Aboriginal rights, title and Treaty rights. Satsan served two - three year terms as the elected BC Regional Chief for the Assembly of First Nations. Satsan is trained in law and education. He attended Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia. He is married and has three children.
Keynote Luncheon registration is now open for July 20, July 21, and July 22. Please note, keynote speaker for the luncheon on Tuesday is still to be confirmed.
To learn more about the Assembly of First Nations 2009 Annual General Assembly, and associated events, visit the 2009 Assembly of First Nations Host Committee Website.
Learn about the Chamber's Aboriginal Workforce Initiative.
Story 2
Aboriginal Professionals Set An Example
Aside from aboriginal-centered organizations, there are more and more mainstream groups establishing ways to incorporate aboriginal voices.
In 2001, Greater Sudbury Police Chief Alex McCauley set out to rebuild trust and improve relations with the aboriginal community, a historically difficult relationship.
In 2003, a survey was conducted among aboriginal community organizations, members and the police. A total of 12 recommendations were developed by an advisory committee that centered around trust-building based on staying connected, working together and youth.
Grant Dokis, a Native Liaison Officer, had to experience being ridiculed inside his own community after following a dream to join the police service.
"The police are an arm of the government and native people don't trust government, especially the police," Dokis said.
Becoming a cop meant he was a traitor, yet when he showed up on a call to an aboriginal home they were at ease to tell him their story.
After spending eight years as a street cop, he was given the opportunity to bridge the long standing chasm between police and aboriginal people.
Today, he is proud to work with three new aboriginal officers after spending close to 20 years as the sole aboriginal officer in the service.
Out of these recommendations came the award-winning program Mkwa Opportunity Circle, which brings aboriginal youth and police officers together.
In addition to cultural awareness, police share a mentoring role with students.
"We thought we had so much to offer, but we are getting educated by the youth. We are receiving far more," said Dokis.
In addition to creating an environment of acceptance and inclusion, Dokis ensures every new police officer has eight hours of Native Awareness training. When Sudbury police officers hit the street, they are well-equipped to understand aboriginal issues.
Angie Recollet, of Native Student Affairs, is working within Laurentian University to ensure the aboriginal voice is heard at the institution.
"We have achieved so much in two decades, being part of policy development and setting the tone for education."
In Recollet's position, she has the opportunity to ensure Laurentian University is truly a tricultural institution.
"We have a more positive and welcoming environment."
It wasn't that long ago when there was no presence of aboriginal voices at the table.
"Now, it's second nature -- they realize the need to seek out direction and input from an aboriginal perspective."
Laurentian now has the largest number of aboriginal professors with PhDs.
Recollet feels positive about her community today.
"Remembering when I was in public school, I would be called squaw, going home and saying to my mom, 'I don't want to be Indian anymore!' "
Much has changed and today she takes a lead role in organizing the aboriginal festival at Sudbury arena.
"Pride has always been there, it never went away," she said.
HEATHER CAMPBELL, FOR THE SUDBURY STAR
Story 3
Business Opportunities Abound
Once again, it is time to talk about what has been happening around Campbell River in our business community. I attended the Business After Hours get together at the Salvation Army Thrift Store and was amazed at all the projects and services they provide. It was also a great opportunity to meet new people and interact and network with all of them. I was disappointed by the lack of attendance by the business community as a whole. We often take our business out of town because we don't know where to find the goods or services here in Campbell River and it has been my experience that many of these services we seek elsewhere are readily available here and for a much lower cost. I would challenge all of you in our business community to attend one or more of these meetings in the near future and see for yourself how much you will gain. Visit our website at www.campbellriverchamber.ca for more details.
The Chamber would like to address the issue of the new Dogwood traffic plan so I am asking for a rather ad hoc poll from our members to call the Chamber Office at 250-287-4636 or send an email to colleen.evans@campbellriverchamber and let us know if you are having problems with the new traffic lights on Dogwood and/or if it is affecting your business in any way.
Many of the members of the Chamber have told me over the last couple of weeks that they have been very busy and that business is actually much better than they expected given the current economic conditions here in Campbell River. This may be a good indicator that the downturn is swinging in the other direction. Certainly, from a stock market point of view, recovery seems to be coming.
Last month was the Annual BC Chamber of Commerce General Meeting in Prince Rupert. Colleen has written in her column about many of the young entrepreneurs that have had a vision of their business and gone out and made it work. Window washers in kilts, home BBQ gourmets and more showed us the strength of our young people and their boundless ideas. We also reviewed and passed a number of advocacy motions to take to the provincial government that impact business in BC and make our businesses stronger. By 2012, BC will have the lowest corporate taxes in Canada, and this was just one of the many resolutions that have been placed before our provincial legislature and shows how hard your Chambers are working for you. Another prominent message we received from Prince Rupert is the strength of the partnerships being formed by First Nations Peoples and various business groups in the area. It is amazing how far these joint ventures have progressed and how much they are being embraced by all the involved parties. We need to explore these types of opportunities here on the North Island and move forward towards increasing projects of mutual undertakings with our First Nations peoples. Believe me this is a total win-win situation. Plutonic Power is now in the final stages of their next major project and when they receive approval to move ahead, this will provide about 10,000 man years of labour. This project will be run out of Campbell River and will provide many needed jobs in this area. Once again, this is a joint venture between Plutonic and First Nations and indicates how far we have come in our understandings and dealings with the various local tribes.
Should you have any questions about the Chamber or becoming a Chamber member, please give the Chamber a call at 250-287-4513 or 250-287-4636.
Have a great summer!
Andy Leitch,
Campbell River Chamber President
By Andy Leitch, Courier-Islander
Story 4
Government of Canada Funding Strengthens Canim Lake Indian Band
Canim Lake, British Columbia - Today, Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification announced funding to support the Canim Lake Indian Band (CLIB).
"Today's investment in three unique projects, will bring new economic opportunities to Canim Lake," said Ms. McLeod. "Developing local tourism, community forests and agriculture are renewal options for Mountain Pine Beetle affected communities seeking to diversify their local economy."
Funding of $112,500 will allow the CLIB to develop and implement a Regional Agriculture Demonstration project. The Band will cultivate vegetables and value-added products, as well as construct fencing, a greenhouse and an irrigation system. The Band will host workshops to share project results with other First Nations groups and educate local youth on the initiative.
Additional funding of $95,000 for the CLIB will strengthen long-term economic opportunities available in the forest sector. The Band will work towards securing a Community Forest license by conducting a feasibility study, a business plan and a forest stewardship plan.
Lastly, $36,000 will allow the CLIB to develop a tourism and recreation feasibility study. Project activities will include: a market analysis, recreation opportunity analysis and proposed management plan. Study results will be used to determine future economic potential in the tourism and recreational sectors.
"The Canim Lake Band would like to thank Western Economic Diversification Canada. We are now able to proceed with projects that will help the Band deal with the impact of the Mountain Pine Beetle epidemic," said Chief Michael Archie. "This epidemic has altered the bands ability to continue its traditional lifestyle. With this in mind, we have developed several projects that will enhance our ability to become more sustainable."
This federal funding totaling $243,500 was provided by Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) under the Community Economic Diversification Initiative (CEDI), a component of the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program.
Western Economic Diversification Canada works with the provinces, industry associations, and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy, coordinates federal economic activities in the West and represents the interests of western Canadians in national decision making.
For additional information, contact:
Jackie Stewart
A/Communications Manager- British Columbia
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Telephone: (604) 666-7543
Pam Theodore
Executive Assistant and Land Administrator, Canim Lake Band
Telephone: (250) 397-2253
