Looking at the world through a 100-year lens rather than just in terms of quarterly shareholder reports, Island’s First Nations are harvesting the entrepreneurial energy of their people to create at the Forefront a better future — one that belongs to them. by Andrew Findlay

Carpenter and carver Johnathon Ryce ­— who worked with his uncle Rick Underwood, the foreman on the installation of the T’Sou-ke Nation’s solar panel project — walks among the banks of solar panels on top of a building on the reserve in . Jeffrey Bosdet/ D ouglas Magazine

34 Douglas Douglas 35 he T’Sou-ke Nation is small but it has energy project on southern . business-killing shackles of the Indian Act and Jeff Cook signed an “opportunity development big ideas. At only 250 members, mostly “This approach comes from our ancestors. reservation system, which renders them as agreement” with Vancouver-based Steelhead living on 67 hectares of reserve land Food security was always important to our perpetual tenants on federally owned land, and LNG to explore the possibility of building a Executives, business owners, Taround the Sooke Basin, you could fold people,” Chief Gordon Planes told Douglas while has burdened them with the crippling multi- liquid natural gas plant on Huu-ay-aht land with it into any neighborhood in a large metropolis commuting back from Vancouver where he was generational social issues that resulted from the access to deepwater in outer Alberni Inlet. The entrepreneurs: and it would barely make a demographic or meeting with other chiefs and Premier Christy residential school system. 25-year, $30-billion proposal is still speculative, economic dent. Clark. It’s a nasty legacy that the Huu-ay-aht First but the agreement signals that this 750-member But this ambitious band is making a dent Nation is also working hard to overcome. As a nation is on the lookout for opportunities — > Are you where you want to be with your career or business? in quashing stereotypes of First Nations by Setting a New Course member of the Maa-nulth Treaty Society, this and the business world is taking them seriously. investing in a future based on food sustainability Put simply, the T’Sou-ke Nation sees the band joined four partner nations to become the “We want to tell people that we’re open > What is the most important thing for you at this point in your and alternative energy. With its Pacific Island’s isolation as a potential business first on the Island to sign a modern day treaty, for business,” Cook says. “Our treaty is career, business or life? Coast Wasabi operation, the band maintains which came into effect April 1, 2011. It gave the economically driven and it’s given us the ability advantage. As conventional fossil fuel energy > What is your dream? three large greenhouses with 15,000 wasabi becomes more expensive, the cost of importing Huu-ay-aht self-government and jurisdiction and authority to look at large projects without seedlings. Profits from this operation will be food will also become increasingly prohibitive, over 8,200 hectares near its main community of having to deal with the Indian Act.” > What’s holding you back? PAul AbrA BA, BEd, MEd used to expand an existing 70-hectare organic says Planes. That’s why he hopes his band’s Anacla at the mouth of Alberni Inlet. The and nations, whose Certified Executive Coach I can help. community garden. And there’s more: thanks to focus on food and green energy will place them The Huu-ay-aht now own the Pachena Bay modern reserves border each other and are a $1.5-million capital outlay in 2009, the nation’s on the leading edge of a local sustainability Campground, a forestry firm with 13 employees sandwiched between Victoria, and Call for a complimentary administration building now runs entirely on a push that one day may become a necessity, not that also hires as many as 50 contractors, a Esquimalt, are also demonstrating an open- coaching session and to 75 kilowatt solar power system. Furthermore, in a choice. shake and shingle operation, a gravel pit, a dry for-business approach. They are trying hard to discuss how coaching 2013 the T’Sou-ke partnered with Timberwest The T’Sou-ke are exhibiting the kind of land log sort, as well as a market and cafe in transition from being bystanders to participants can benefit you. Forest Corp. and EDP Renewables Canada Ltd. entrepreneurial thinking that distinguishes an plus 21 commercial fishing licences. in the economy surrounding Victoria Harbour. to explore opportunities to develop, build and increasing number of Aboriginal communities Last July, in the band’s most high-profile In October, the two nations hired Curtis operate a massive $750-million, 300 MW wind as they attempt to free themselves from the venture to date, Huu-ay-aht chief councillor Grad, former CEO of the Harbour Authority (GVHA), to head up the Skwin’ang’eth Se’las Development Company, a joint venture between the Songhees, Esquimalt Honouring the Past Exploring the Future and GVHA that aims to generate business motivatedcoaching.ca 250.216.2599 [email protected] opportunities and jobs for band members. In a news release, Esquimalt chief Andy Thomas Inspiring and motivating individuals to fulfill their dreams John Jack admits that mentioning First Nations in called the development company a “vehicle that in their businesses, in their careers and in themselves. a room full of business executives might conjure up and transparent and accountable governance structures that keeps will enable our young people to return to the anti-business obstructionism stereotypes. But these business and politics at arm’s harbour to create livelihoods.” are old, increasingly inaccurate perceptions, says the length from each other,” Jack 33-year-old elected Huu-ay-aht councillor, part of a says. “We have a guaranteed Creating Livelihoods seat at the table with anyone vanguard of young Aboriginal leaders working hard to Creating livelihoods is a goal the K’ómoks First proposing major projects in Huu- Nation (KFN) is having considerable success show that First Nations can stay true to cultural roots ay-aht territories.” in reaching. With a small reserve on the shores Bands without treaties may while being progressive in business. of Comox Harbour wedged between Courtenay resort to confrontational direct Al’s Business Tip action to assert their rights, a and Comox, and a total on- and off-reserve Along with his role as a councillor, requirement of the Maa-nulth strategy that may be necessary population of 320, this nation’s economic for success he also holds the - treaty, which came into effect in the short term but, says Jack, development arm has been busy while band based nation’s economic, policy in 2011. As a band member, he doesn’t bode well for future politicians inch toward a modern day treaty. and law development portfolios, received a survey to fill out. He economic opportunities. In 2012, band-owned Pentlatch Seafoods Jeffrey Bosdet/ D ouglas Magazine and represents the band on took a red pen and marked up Jack describes the Huu-ay-aht’s Ltd., which markets its product under the brand “Have three things on the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional what he considered to be a poorly approach as “positive soft power,” Komo Gway, bought Aquatec, a well-established your daily to-do list, and District board. worded survey full of leading using some of the jargon he Comox-based seafood processing company. With “The opportunities are ever and misleading questions. Band acquired from his Global Studies do the toughest first. You over 20 full-time staff, Pentlatch harvests two expanding for First Nations administrators took notice and degree. will be more productive willing to communicate and asked him to join the process. As for the band’s decision million oysters annually with sales to Taiwan, engage with business partners That offer led him into law, policy to further explore the proposal China, the U.S. and Canada. Last year the band — not just busy.” and neighbouring communities,” and economic development and for a LNG plant, an industry not opened Salish Sea Foods, a retail outlet selling says Jack, who is the Huu-ay- ultimately into politics. without controversy, Jack says it’s Oysters Rockefeller, Cajun salmon skewers and Al Hasham, President of Maximum Express aht’s lead voice on economic Jack’s accidental career choice the result of careful consideration other value-added seafood products. issues including the potential has been the Huu-ay-aht’s gain. and a realization that the Huu- The band also owns I-Hos Gallery, the development of a $30 billion LNG He has represented the band on ay-aht need a substantial project Puntledge RV Campground at the confluence plant at Sarita Bay in partnership trade missions to Asia, and last to form the bedrock of a local of the Tsolum and Puntledge rivers, and has with Vancouver’s Steelhead LNG. year gave a keynote address economy. In November, the Huu- several MOUs with companies like Upland Jack’s involvement in Huu-ay- at the Northeast B.C. Natural ay-aht voted 61 per cent in favour Excavating Ltd., giving the band economic aht politics and administration Gas Summit in Vancouver. Now, of moving onto the feasibility came about more by accident midway through a second term study stage of this joint venture opportunities for projects on its traditional territory. The KFN is also negotiating with BC than design. In 2005 and 2006, as councillor, Jack believes the proposal. COURIER, FREIGHT & LOGISTICS while Jack was enrolled at Huu-ay-aht’s treaty will be the “Eighty per cent of our Hydro for opportunities in the $1-billion-plus Vancouver Island University, Huu- cornerstone of its future success. members live off-reserve,” Jack John Hart Dam upgrade on the Campbell River. ay-aht leaders were developing “It gives us legal rights to says, “And we need to give them a “We’ve always taken baby steps when it maxcourier.com | [email protected] | 250.721.3278 a community constitution, a home and traditional territories, reason to move back.” comes to economic development,” says Melinda

36 Douglas Douglas 37 economic success challenging and opportunities for their fall. Critics, the Hupacasath among them, say the deal youth difficult to come by. Many bands are also small enables China to circumvent the duty to consult First and have limited financial and human resources. Nations on major economic projects on land over which “We always ask the question, “First Nations are still the most disadvantaged in the they have claims or title. CalgaRIanS whole country. Everyone can see it,” says the T’Sou-ke “Our nation is rich in forest resources, salmon and ‘What will we be leaving our children?’” Nation’s Chief Gordon Planes. “And a lot of small tribes fresh water,” says Judith Sayers, former chief councillor like ours don’t have a lot of money and that makes of the Hupacasath, who launched the Supreme Court lOVe OuR economic development hard.” challenge of FIPA. “We want to be in the position as a Melinda Knox of the KFN agrees. She says band sovereign First Nation to protect our resources.” ISland! resources are often overwhelmed by treaty negotiation The fact that resource-poor nations are being dragged and legal wrangling, leaving little left over in the way into court battles to repeatedly defend rights and title, of human and financial capital for harnessing business adding a further drain to their resources, is a sore point Reach these highly opportunities. for Sophie Pierre, chief commissioner of the BC Treaty The I-Hos Gallery In spite of the precedent-setting court cases that have Commission and the former longtime chief of the St. qualified consumers is located on laid the foundation for a new relationship, a reality for Mary’s Indian Band near Cranbrook. the site of the B.C.’s Aboriginal leaders is spending time in court facing As a nod to the increasing economic importance with Salt magazine original K’ómoks Take the time to Village. The gallery off government lawyers. The tiny Hupacasath First Nation, and influence of First Nations, the Vancouver Island features traditional based in Port Alberni, got out of the gate early and Economic Alliance (VIEA) invited Pierre to be the understand the and contemporary jumped into the Independent Power Producing goldrush keynote speaker at the 2014 Vancouver Island Economic unique governance Northwest that resulted when BC Hydro first put out a call for IPPs. Summit. Then, as it still is, the treaty process was under and leadership Coast artwork by First Nations In 2003, the Hupacasath forged a joint venture with pressure. Pierre is sharp and energetic, and bristles with paradigm, which FALL/wInTER 2014 artists, including Vancouver-based Synex Energy and formed Upnit Power both enthusiasm for the future of indigenous people often involves a Live Where Andy Everson’s you PLay Corporation to develop the 6.5 MW run-of-river hydro in the province and also with frustration over the blend of traditional Real estate

rtist: A ndy E verson A rtist: “Majestic.” project on China Creek, which began producing power roadblocks and prejudices that still stand in the way. hereditary and in 2005. The band retains a 72.5 per cent majority Since the treaty commission was launched in 1992, elected leadership, Pedal Power Knox, CEO of K’ómoks Economic Development they have a claim. Most recently, last July, the ownership in Upnit Power. just the Maa-Nulth Treaty Society and Tsawwassen that make First the growing trend of cycling Corp. “We have a criteria to vet business Supreme Court of Canada gave the Tsilhqot’in Today, the Hupacasath are also leading the fight nation have implemented treaties (the 1996 Nisga’a Nations unique. inquiries. Are they successful, do they have people sweeping veto powers over projects against Canada’s newly minted Foreign Investment treaty was negotiated outside of the treaty commission Undiscovered Sophie Pierre, chief victoria A secret glimpse a good environmental record and do they fit on land to which they have both proven and Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA) with process,) even though more than half of B.C.’s bands are commissioner of the of local history within the KFN’s vision? We work on a 100-year unproven rights and title. This decision has the China that the federal government signed into law this engaged in the process. BC Treaty Commission landscaPes potential to change the landscape of economic that live vision and always ask the question, ‘What will large we be leaving our children?’” development in B.C. for good, and also de-rail crUising 101 Further north, the Namgis First Nation is some projects that might have been slam-dunks Buying your first boat attempting to shift salmon aquaculture to a before. ladysmith by the sea One thing is clear: the investors behind LIFESTYLE | REAL ESTATE | HOMES | FOOd | TRAVEL more environmentally sustainable paradigm with a land-based Atlantic salmon fish farm, large projects can no longer pay lip service to built three years ago south of Port McNeill the notion of consulting First Nations. Nigel with more than $7 million in investment from Kuzemko, president and CEO of Steelhead LNG, Promote your business with government and conservation foundations. has decades of experience in the global natural Salt, a premium publication In October, the fish farm, 100-per-cent owned gas sector. He says that in B.C., working with that engages and motivates by the Namgis, received the highest ranking First Nations is fundamental to his company’s affluent consumers from possible from the Monterey Bay Aquarium philosophy. “We can’t look at it any other Seafood Watch program for its Atlantic way. Partnering with First Nations is integral Calgary to visit and invest salmon, marketed and sold through Vancouver to this project moving forward,” Kuzemko in Vancouver Island. wholesaler Albion Fisheries. says, regarding the agreement signed with the Huu-ay-aht to explore LNG opportunities. “...in Thank you to our great clients, • 100% Vancouver Island content Poised for Prosperity 100 years, the nation will still be there but the like Monk Office, for helping us • Print and online campaigns available Little happens in B.C. these days in terms of project won’t be.” celebrate 25 years of providing • Annual circulation: 60,000 copies large economic projects without some First employee benefits to • Distributed in Calgary twice a year Nations involvement. Despite the challenges The Reality Vancouver Island businesses. • Now booking Spring/April 2015 bands face in generating jobs and wealth, However, optimism about the economic with a publication release date there’s no doubt B.C.’s indigenous people are in prospects for First Nations is tempered by some of April 2015 a greater position of influence than any other hard realities. The Island is home to 53 nations time in their modern history. — 20 per cent of all nations in B.C. They belong Dust off archives of legal case history and to three distinct tribal regions: , you’ll find some compelling reasons why. For Nuu-chah-nulth and Kwakiutl. According to a For advertising information, Adamek Financial and example, the 1997 Delgamuukw versus British decade-old B.C. census, First Nations number please call 250.595.7243 or the Monk Office Leadership Team Columbia case opened the door a crack for 43,420, nearly seven per cent of the Island’s email [email protected] 250-478-9288 making a constitutional argument for Aboriginal population. But though there are bright spots, AdamekFinancial.com title over land. Then in 2004, the Haida Nation First Nations still have some of Canada’s highest Produced by Page One Publishing Inc. versus decision enshrined rates of incarceration and unemployment. INSPIRED. INFORMED. ON TREND. the duty for project proponents to consult First Many bands, like the Ahousaht and Ditidaht, 25th ANNIVERSARY EDITION Nations prior to exploiting lands to which are geographically isolated, making mainstream

38 Douglas Douglas 39 Special Educational feature Consultants and lawyers are doing well, but not many treaties are getting signed. Bureaucratic inertia is partly to blame, according to Pierre. For example, the Sliammon First Nation treaty has bounced around Ottawa for three years waiting for royal assent. Last summer’s seminal Tsilqhot’in decision has prompted some bands, like the T’Sou-ke Career and professional Nation, to hit the pause button and ask whether treaty is the best away to achieve Aboriginal rights and title aspirations, further undermining development the already faltering treaty process. Yet Pierre believes firmly that treaty is still the best way for a nation to position itself for future self- Exploring The Many Facets of Advanced Education and sufficiency and prosperity. Professional Development on Vancouver Island “There’s always the expectation that things will happen quicker than they do after treaty May 21-23, 2015 but capacity building takes time,” Pierre says. “Imagine if you’re wanting to do a run-of-river Victoria Conference Centre project, for example. You need to have rules Social Media Camp brings together the brightest social media minds in and regulations; you can’t have nothing, no structures in place.” North America for 3 days of social media exploration, sharing & teaching That’s Pierre’s message for First Nations with a large dash of networking. wavering on the treaty process. For the non- Aboriginal community wanting to engage with Join 800+ people from across North America for Canada’s social media the First Nations in a business relationship, event of the year featuring some of the world’s top Social Media experts. she has another message. Take the time to understand the unique governance and leadership paradigm, which often involves a blend of traditional hereditary and elected leadership, that make First Nations unique. Featured Speaker: John Jantsch Pierre also urges people not to fall into stereotypical prejudicial views. She brings John Jantsch, creator of the Duct Tape Marketing up the case of chief System, is known as the World’s Most Practical Ron Giesbrecht, who was recently accused of Small Business Marketing Expert. pocketing an $800,000 bonus for economic development projects, and whose band has been fingered by critics as an example of another unaccountable First Nation government that’s a breeding ground for corruption. In late October, news surfaced about two Squamish 8 Nation members and employees who were What People Are Saying fired for inappropriately disbursing more than 8 About Social Media Camp $1 million in band funds. Still, Pierre is in a fighting mood, and says too often media and “As this was my first, I had the general public focus on the negative rather

8 top no idea what to expect, but than the positive steps First Nations are taking. I left with a ton of information “Why isn’t every white mayor tarred with a Educational and knowledge I can 8 8 Rob Ford comparison?” she asks. There’s no doubt, Pierre is an able champion Leaders use immediately 8 8 for First Nations in B.C. Her people have come Make Their in my business.” a long way since the dark days of no hope, but they still have much ground to gain. As for the Predictions

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8 largely8 non-Aboriginal corporate world, it will have to become accustomed to a new mode of For more Information and tickets to the event visit: doing business, of looking at projects through a 100-year lens that factors in the economic and Higher socialmediacamp.ca cultural interests of Aboriginals and not just the Learning interests of quarterly shareholder reports. “In my mind, we’re not there yet in terms Does it Lead /SocialMediaCamp @SocMediaCamp of economic development but we want to be to Increased players in the economy,” says Huu-ay-aht chief councillor Jeff Cook, “and we will be players.” ■ Opportunity?

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