Cooperation the byword at Snuneymuxw AFN gathering

BC’s First Nations natural resource councils signaled a new era of collaboration when they signed a
co-operation protocol in late February at the BCAFN regional chief’s special assembly in Nanaimo.

The First Nations Forestry Council, First Nations Fisheries Council and Interim First Nations Energy Council were signers of the protocol.
The theme of the fifth special assembly was ‘Rebuilding our Economies and Repairing our Environment.’
BCAFN regional chief A-in-chut (Shawn Atleo) said that there was “a great need for greater co-operation amongst ourselves to find the best possible way to achieve economic self sufficiency. This protocol will bring the councils together where there is common ground, enabling them to share information, resources and strategies to achieve their goals.”
“First Nations have relied on the lands, waters and resources in our traditional territories for thousands of years, and we have always done so in a sustainable way” said Grand Chief Doug Kelly who is co-chair of the First Nations Fisheries Council.
“The purpose of these action plans is to chart a way forward for First Nations to use our natural resources to create economic opportunities for our people, while remembering to leave enough for future generations, as our ancestors taught us.”

‘We’re just figuring it out’

Keynote speaker for the conference was supposed to be environmentalist David Suzuki. But when illness forced cancellation of his attendance, Jim Sinclair, president of the BC Federation of Labour, stepped up to the podium.
“What we’re doing to the planet and to the economy is unsustainable,” Sinclair told the gathering.
“You all know that, but we’re just figuring it out.”
He said the ‘green economy’ offers unprecedented opportunities, especially for First Nations.
“In the old economy, for every $1 million invested in things like oil and coal, five jobs were created. But in the new green economy, 17 jobs are created for every million invested.
“Green jobs are good jobs,” he said.

We’re better off, but still Dependent
Steady economic improvements in First Nations since the 1960s means that our communities have reduced their dependence on federal transfers.
That’s the gist of a report released in March by the Assembly of First Nations.
But the AFN warned that the economic health in our communities is fragile, especially during the current economic climate. It said that a prolonged recession could hurt because our businesses are not as well established as those in non-native communities and that they are “over-represented” in primary-resource sectors such as forestry, oil and gas and other areas.
Government transfers represented 21.8 per cent of native income in 2005 which was down substantially from the 28.6 per cent in 1995 the report noted.
The AFN study revealed positive trends on reserves in areas such as education rates, labour-force participation and incomes, but First Nations still are well behind the national averages.
The report also found that urban aboriginals are better off than those living on reserves. Reserves that are close to urban centres are better off economically than those in rural areas.

Chief Wyse talks about holistic well-being

In her welcome to the AFN assembly, Snuneymuxw First Nation’s Chief Viola Wyse talked about the need for an holistic approach to health and well-being.
“Restoring the health of our communities has always been close to my heart as Chief of Snuneymuxw. Economic renewal and environmental protection are crucial elements in the holistic approach to our health and well-being.
“As you gather here and listen to the many excellent speakers – leaders from all walks of life – I hope you will understand the purpose of this journey. And I hope you will remember in the days that follow that our journey on this Earth has to be taken with the wisdom of our Elders and our ancestors close to our hearts.
“These are uncertain times for all of us. There is a crisis in our financial system. The environment is hurting. Our people need strong and resolute leaders to show the way forward.
“All of us – whether from First Nations, business, industry or government – are being required to make critical decisions that will affect not only the generation of today, but also the children of our children. We will have to take the long view as we make resolutions, judgments and settlements in the days ahead.
“As we pursue many opportunities here at this conference, we must be led by the conviction that better understanding and partnerships will only come about if we realize that we are all in this together.
Our Hul’qumi’num language has a powerful word – naut’sa mawt. This is a word we should take home from this gathering. It means, “working together as one”. Whatever our culture and whatever our occupation, none of us can work alone. Only by working together for a common goal, for a common purpose, can we achieve great things.”