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Will Atleo’s plan make any difference It certainly sounds like it’s worth a shot. After all, as Atleo points out, the paternalistic structure of the Indian Act isn’t serving First Nations well and the federal bureaucracy required to implement it is costing the Canadian taxpayer billions in operational expenses. No-one’s happy about the impoverished state of First Nations’ social, cultural and economic well-being. But calls for change are nothing new. The records documenting failed efforts to shift the relationship over the last three decades litter the filing cabinets of government departments. Attempts to scrap the Indian Act, including Atleo’s own call for its elimination, haven’t got anywhere so far, and a year after Canada finally signed up to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, there has been no substantive shift in government policy to reflect its provisions. In BC the treaty process, touted as the way to a better future, is on shaky ground. Many First Nations have given up on the process. Vancouver Island’s Hulq’umin’um Treaty Group has resorted to taking its land claims to the Inter-America Commission to seek justice (see Briony Penn’s story “Pensions on Trial” in the November 2011 issue of Focus) and last October Sophie Pierre, Chief Commissioner of the BC Treaty Commission, introduced the Commission’s 2011 Annual Report by stating that unless there is significant progress by the time the twentieth anniversary of the process rolls around in September 2012, it’s game over. So what’s different about what Atleo has in mind—and will his approach make any difference to communities like Attawapiskat Lorne Brownsey, who divides his time these days between Victoria, Hornby Island and Mexico, retired from his post as provincial deputy minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation in January 2011. Prior to that, he was the federal government’s executive director of its Vancouver Treaty Negotiation Office. Brownsey is unequivocal in his views about Atleo’s approach: “National Chief Shawn Ah-in-chut Atleo has identified the only path to reconciliation between First Nations and the rest of Canada.” Like Atleo, Brownsey believes that prosperity comes from a place of partnership. “That will never be achieved through endless disputes about who has what rights where. Governments and citizens must recognize existing treaty and aboriginal rights and move forward to conclude arrangements on how these rights, and responsibilities, can be given contemporary context.” Atleo has no doubt that the approach he passionately believes in will make a difference. “The old unilateral system has proved itself to be unworkable. But where you have shared vision and reconciliation,” he says firmly, “and agreements that recognize rights and support them, you empower health, well-being, good governance and independence. You don’t see terrible poverty and hear arguments about accountability. That’s how it used to be in First Nations. It can be again.” Atleo also points out that it is not just the economic and cultural health of communities like Attawapiskat, but of all of Canada, that requires a new approach to reconciliation with First Nations. “First Nations are the youngest, fastest-growing population at a time when the Canadian labour force is aging. Studies show that closing the education and employment gaps for our people would contribute as much as $400 billion to the national economy, and save at least $115 billion in government expenditures. It can be done, but it has to be done with First Nations at the table sharing the decision-making on how to get there.” PHOTO: FRED CATTROLL “ STUDIES SHOW THAT closing the education and employment gaps for our people would contribute as much as $400 billion to the national economy, and save at least $115 billion in government expenditures. It can be done, but it has to be done with First Nations at the table sharing the decisionmaking on how to get there.” —National Chief Shawn Ah-in-chut Atleo We are all treaty people Atleo is optimistic about the potential for significant movement on the part of the federal government. A Joint Action Plan announced in June last year, covering governance, education, economic development and negotiations, resulted from intensive discussions between Atleo and Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The agenda for the first meeting under the Joint Action Plan, scheduled for January 24, is focused on what action is required to put the relationship back on its original foundation. “We need to scrap the old policies, and jointly design a framework that will work for all of the parties. The prime minister will be there, and that’s appropriate. This discussion has to start at the top.” Lorne Brownsey agrees: “As the National Chief and many others have rightly noted, we can’t afford the social, moral or economic cost of not meeting this challenge.” As a former insider, he is more sceptical than Atleo about the federal government’s willingness to embrace the concept: “Unfortunately, the government of Canada has become an increasingly reluctant partner in the process of reconciliation in British Columbia and elsewhere. Hopefully, the January meeting signals its willingness to step up to the table and help reenergize or, as the National Chief puts it, reset a relationship of mutual prosperity.” Atleo remains confident, despite the scepticism. “We need to understand that if we can reach agreement on this issue,” he reiterates, “that will benefit every Canadian, not just First Nations. After all,” he reminds us, “we’re all treaty people.” Accepting the latter concept, says Atleo, is fundamentally important to improving the relationship between First Nations individuals and other Canadians. “I think if we start to understand that we are 36 January 2012 • FOCUS
Focus presents: Sterling Financial ADVERTISEMENT all treaty people in Canada—every one of us, even the newest immigrant—that will shift us to the place we need to be. We’re all partners, and we all benefit when every First Nation is as prosperous as every other Canadian community. The path to that is joint action to support our rights and wellbeing. That’s where the understanding needs to be,” he says. “I believe there is a shift occurring,” he adds. “I read one report indicating millions of Canadians can trace their heritage to the indigenous peoples of North America. Those stories often used to be left in the family woodshed, but now they’re coming out again. That suggests to me people are growing closer to each other again and are starting to be proud of Canada’s First Nations’ heritage,” he says happily. “It also tells me Canadians are embracing the concept that we’re all here to stay.” We need to move boldly For Atleo, in the end the most important thing is making life better for the children and desperate communities he sees almost every day in his job. “The children in our communities have been getting the message for too long that people don’t care about them,” he says. “I know there is fear about taking bold steps like this. I acknowledge that fear. But we need to move boldly. We need to tell the children we do care, by our actions, and we need to do it together,” he says. “That way we can not only stem the tide of despair and suicide but unleash the potential of these young people. Imagine what that would be like for Canada. That’s the hope I have. That’s what’s driving me.” A former lands claims negotiator, Katherine Gordon is a Gabriola Island resident. Her upcoming sixth book explores the connections between culture and self through the stories of young Aboriginal Canadians who discuss their lives as British Columbians of First Nations heritage. www.focusonline.ca • January 2012 Tanya Sterling Tanya Sterling believes that 2012 will be a time of new beginnings for many.These are the people she loves to help develop a “road map” to a secure future, so they know that are doing the best with whatever assets they have, and will be able to comfortably navigate life’s inevitable ups and downs. The mix of services offered at Sterling Financial are not traditional for a professional accounting practice, and this is a reflection of Tanya Sterling’s unique background and skill set.A Chartered Accountant,a Certified Professional Consultant on Aging, and a Financial Divorce Specialist with training in ElderLaw,Tanya has 15 years of experience in accounting and financial management in the public and private sectors. She’s also a coach (she’s been studying Power Coaching for close to two years),has a background in the arts, and is now a new mom.Her practice is holistic in the sense that, depending on your needs,she’ll help you determine short and long term goals; do your tax preparation (and review past tax returns for missed credits); develop a day-to-day budget (with coaching on how to stick with it);provide objective advice on “tax-effective” investments (she can work with your financial planner);help with business decisions,retirement planning, planning for your children’s future, or an aging parent’s care. “People are surprised to learn the extent of what we do here,” she admits.“I chose to create a practice that focused on the ‘soft side’ of accounting,”Tanya New beginnings and peace of mind Tanya with son Kaiden explains. “It’s more like social work with numbers attached. It’s about making a difference, being like family to the clients—to understand where they’re coming from so we can help them as much as they need us to.” Perhaps not surprisingly,Tanya’s unique business has resulted in numerous awards including a 2010 Chamber of Commerce New Business of the Year,Top Visionaries Under 40 award,and a CA Young Achievement Award. Many of us are experiencing transitions—both positive (like starting a new family or retiring) and, at least on the surface, less positive: divorce or widowhood, caring for aging parents, experiencing an illness or disability. These new beginnings,whether embraced or forced upon us, can be unsettling, even scary. But they can also be times when we launch ourselves on a new path that ultimately is more satisfying.There’s opportunity in crisis.Tanya counsels her clients on ways to navigate through their transitions to a comfortable future.By providing objective information and analysis of their current financial situation and options for change,her clients have the peace of mind that comes with knowing they are making the best decisions for themselves and their future. Besides her professional skills,Tanya also draws from her personal experience. She owns her own business, has a mom in failing health, and five months ago, she had her first baby. She knows about life’s transitions and the questions they raise. Her live-work office on View Street reflects her holistic blending of professionalism and humanism. Clients often get to meet her young son Kaiden, and her dog Maxx is likely lying under a desk. Tanya predicts 2012 will be a very interesting year with a lot of change for many of us.“Due to the economy, many people are re-examining their finances, their lifestyles and goals…people are tightening their belts. It is bringing about change.” While at first it might seem negative, she feels there is usually a silver lining. In Victoria, she believes there’s a “growing sense of community and collaboration”that will help us through 2012’s challenges. If you are facing a new beginning,or have resolved to get your finances in order in 2012,Tanya Sterling is there for you. Sterling Financial 250-857-1857 • 101- 860 View St. www.sterlingfinancial.ca 37
Page 1 and 2: FOCUS Victoria’s monthly magazine
Page 3 and 4: contents January 2012 VOL. 24 NO. 3
Page 5 and 6: Focus presents: Iyengar Yoga ADVERT
Page 7 and 8: Focus presents: All Organized Stora
Page 9 and 10: “ I DON’T UNDERSTAND THE LRT PR
Page 11 and 12: ourhood through a restaurant servin
Page 13 and 14: Focus presents: Joseph Barry Martin
Page 15 and 16: share of multi-storey housing would
Page 17 and 18: Allow Yourself to Fully Bloom with
Page 19 and 20: Focus presents: Triangle Healing AD
Page 21 and 22: January 18-February 4 THE DROWSY CH
Page 23 and 24: Coastal Celebration January 7 - 28
Page 25 and 26: HARVEST by Ken Cameron January 25 V
Page 27 and 28: “Pots of Flowers” Sylvia Armeni
Page 29 and 30: Throughout January WILDLIFE PHOTOGR
Page 31 and 32: Focus presents: Nirvana Pet Resort
Page 33 and 34: National Chief Ah-in-chut Atleo was
Page 35: www.focusonline.ca • January 2012
Page 39 and 40: “ I DON’T BELIEVE IN THE MAXIM
Page 41 and 42: Focus presents: Victoria Hospice AD
Page 43 and 44: It’s a BBQ, an oven, a smoker and
Page 45 and 46: Focus presents: Stephen Whipp ADVER
Page 47: Leading edge dentistry Down to Eart

****January 2012 Focus - Focus Magazine

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