April was a complex month; it was full of challenges or if you flip the coin, it could be struggles. I prefer to call them challenges. I cannot wait for Treaty Day (June 17, 2010), and other events, as a little social fun and laughter are needed, anyway right now work continues. Challenges, I can find a way to go through them. Nevertheless, the challenges that we, as a Nation, consistently face seem to be legitimizing our being, our treaty way of life, our treaty, and our territory. We, as a Nation, need to continue to safe guard those areas as the general well being of the public is impacting our Treaty and traditional way of life in an adverse way. Not only are these challenges, but we must also try to build our economic opportunities, build capacity, and govern our community. Nevertheless, we continue to work, meet, and exercise our rights.
This month, I went to another country just to hear that those Nations are also facing challenges with building capacity and trying to keep their people employed. As O’Chiese has plans to build a golf course with amenities, a few of us went to San Diego to a conference with similar interests. It was weird to go across the border to hear from other First Nations who have golf courses, casinos, and hotels that are having capacity issues with their people. Those First Nation communities employ large numbers of people, unfortunately, not always theirs.
Around our reserve, we are trying to build capacity and build employment for not only within our community but also outside of our community. We employ not only our people but people who live and are from Rocky Mountain House or other areas of Alberta. We are pleased that we can do that. Building capacity also means building our status as a legitimate, credible, and professional operation. We have been very fortunate that our Leaders have your support and encouragement. Our Chief and Council are listening to your needs and they continuously need that support, even more importantly, they need your children, grandchildren and your relations to attend our school, set their sights higher and graduate from institutions that will enable us to continue the work that this current Leadership has set.
No where have we seen the need for this education as we have in the past month. We have had to read through Provincial and Legislative Acts that speak to the consultation process, meaningful consultation. We see and realize that ‘meaningful consultation’ means different things to whoever we are speaking too. Our Chief has set and reminded us of our part in establishing and ensuring that we live up to our Ancestors and the cultural laws that are set before us. Bottom line, we need to stand up for what is meaningful to us and what is set out by the courts.
We have met with our Lawyers for various reasons and advisement from Land Designation issues to other matters. The Leadership and I are becoming familiar with the legal process, real estate, and the difference between LTD and Corporation. The legal and corporate system is complicated to understand, but we keep plugging along.
In between all of these challenges, we still have to maintain services in our community. I have to thank all the dedicated staff who keeps the office running as smoothly as possible. I miss our community and my office at times but I know that our Leadership and I are building, maintaining, and protecting what we have and what we can have. Anyway, this has been our month with all of the challenging and satisfying events. How was your month?
It is pleasing to see the Elders, parents, and children reading, looking, and doing the activities in the newsletter. Please continue to read for your goo-kum, mo-shoom, children, and yourselves, reading and understanding what you are reading is the key to building your knowledge base. Newsletters can be obtained at the reception desk usually around the first week of the month. Thank you to the editor and to those who submit to the newsletter!
Respectfully, Beatrice Carpentier, O’Chiese Band Manager