Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Another day
Well, the election is done. The community almost returned the same chief, he lost by 3 votes to his brother Don. They were at odds prior to the election which incidently evolved into physical altercation, and there are rumours that charges are pending. Regardless of the abuse to democracy that the previous council committed, they almost all were returned. I believe that Don has a better grasp on ethics and we might still salvage a vestige of self determination; and, I pray that he investigates the so-called treaty initiative to expose it's underbelly. The next 24 months might be a great challenge, because the elected council may not smile on this brother as it did on the previous. I am worried about the future of my children, and the succeeding generations because of the ever present government of Canada, and the Province of BC's erosion of aboriginal rights which constitute a component of their genocidal intitiatives that target the aboriginal peoples of Canada. It's not my nature to sit quietly and complacently while a hostile force encroaches on my rights as a human being, and my rights as a Tsimshian aboriginal person; so now my energy will focus on assisting the Hereditary Chiefs to re-building our traditional governance models and assertion of our rights through international platforms. Not all non-aboriginal people are predatory to the point where they support genocide, so it's our job to inform the general population as to how governments conduct their harmful activities, and how they contribute to youth suicide and other societal ills.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Kathy's questions
Hey, I figured out how to get the comments all by myself. Thanks for the questions.
Q. What does your idea of amalgamated governance look like?
A. First, my ideas are simply that, ideas meant to stimulate conversation. The real answer will come with public input. I think I would like to see the Hereditary Chiefs in control over their territories, and the band council as partners that would provide advice, management and administrative services for a fee, and support as liaison between the Chiefs and the governments. They would be invited to sit on the council and observe, comment and make recommendations because the council impacts their House groups. Special interest groups would also have the opportunity to sit in and have their voices heard. It will take coordinated effort and investment in time to make it happen, but it's very doable.
Q. How would you apply capacity building in the context of mental and social health issues?
A. I know there are many programs in existence that really work, the trick is to get them to work here in our community. As well, we are not totally ignorant, the fact is that we just don't trust ourselves. Capacity building will mean building trust in ourselves and our historical and cultural traditions around healing. It will mean investigating our roots, and research, and dogged determination. I personally have been building a program over the past several years based on traditional healing in conjunction with modern psychological principles, and have written it up for anyone to have a look at. It needs more work, but I think it will address youth suicide issues very well, and I expect it will grow from there.
That's it for now...see you later.
Q. What does your idea of amalgamated governance look like?
A. First, my ideas are simply that, ideas meant to stimulate conversation. The real answer will come with public input. I think I would like to see the Hereditary Chiefs in control over their territories, and the band council as partners that would provide advice, management and administrative services for a fee, and support as liaison between the Chiefs and the governments. They would be invited to sit on the council and observe, comment and make recommendations because the council impacts their House groups. Special interest groups would also have the opportunity to sit in and have their voices heard. It will take coordinated effort and investment in time to make it happen, but it's very doable.
Q. How would you apply capacity building in the context of mental and social health issues?
A. I know there are many programs in existence that really work, the trick is to get them to work here in our community. As well, we are not totally ignorant, the fact is that we just don't trust ourselves. Capacity building will mean building trust in ourselves and our historical and cultural traditions around healing. It will mean investigating our roots, and research, and dogged determination. I personally have been building a program over the past several years based on traditional healing in conjunction with modern psychological principles, and have written it up for anyone to have a look at. It needs more work, but I think it will address youth suicide issues very well, and I expect it will grow from there.
That's it for now...see you later.
A New Day
Well, today's another day closer to our little election. I suppose in the great scheme of things, it's pretty trivial, but to those of us whom are connected to the process and will be impacted by the signing of a land claim agreement, it's very unnerving. Our greatest weakness in the present process and governance model is that it is antiquated, outdated and simply has outlived its usefulness. I'm sure that it doesn't even comply with the constitution of Canada, because it was implemented way back in the 1800's. The promise by the BC government, and by the BC Treaty Commission now headed by Steven Point is that the so-called treaty will provide a better way of living, but we all know that any contract may or may not be implemented if there is no way of policing it. I don't know of any contract, or real Treaty agreed upon by any government of Canada that is respected in accordance to the spirit behind the agreement.
The band council here in Kitsumkalum is not particularly bad to the people, it's not overly abusive or evil, it's just inadequate and not keeping up with the times. After all, the councillors receive in the neighbourhood of $400.00 per month in honourariums, or at least that's what it was 4 years ago, to attend regular meetings that deal with the issues of the day. So, for the sake of argument, if we were to say that they do receive $4oo.00 per month each and they all collected it without guilt, then over 8 months, they have collected $3,200.00. Then, multiply that by 6, and you get a grand total of $19,000.00, and if the chief is still collecting as well, that jumps it up to $22,400.00 for doing nothing! According to Don, there has been no band council meetings, and no guidance from the chief whom is responsible to see that these things happen. Now, the problem is that the band council can continue to do this with impunity because they don't have to answer to the community, and as long as they file their reports to Ottawa everything is just fine. There is no local accountability unless the people demand it. We haven't had one, single public meeting, we have no reports on funding dollars and their use, we have no reports on earnings from the gas bar, or House of Sim oi ghets store, and so if there is abuse happening anywhere in the economic development chain, it will just carry right on. If this kind of governance happened in the school board offices, or in the city hall, there would be charges laid, and heads would roll.
I would change that pretty quick. No pork-barrelling would be allowed, because I would establish a watch-dog committee that reports to the community. I also take issue with the fact that many councils complain about austerity, lack of funds to do anything and the first grab they make is off the backs of their employees. They band administration gets some earnings, but not significant amounts and all it does is create scornful bureaucrats and takes away the initiative to build creative and communicative team-work. We need to provide decent living standards, decent working conditions, decent holidays and provision of sick and family days and boost morale, which will then create more efficiency and willingness to contribute.
Job postings would go out to all members so that everyone has equal opportunity, and decisions would be made according to merit, experience and capacity. Local employees should, and would receive training opportunities so that they can look forward to better jobs. Every councillor would be made responsible to a portfolio based on their interests and training, and would be expected to report to their constituents. They would not be allowed to interfere with administration on the ground, instead they would recommend solutions to the council as a whole, and to the manager of the area they are interested in. No councillor would be allowed to ignore issues that they don't know much about, because their collective votes impact everyone. Councillors would be expected to be role models, and improper behaviour in the community and anywhere else would bring consequences as decided upon by the rest of the council; and, if need be, the community as a whole.
We would concentrate on building enforceable policies and procedures, and implementing them through a public plebiscite, that way, these things must be approved by the public if any future council decides to ignore, or change them. The election process would begin to change, in that the results of future elections would require that the chief and council be first answerable to the people who elected them, then to the Dept. of Indian Affairs.
We need to build working relationships with the communities that we live with, because collectively, the Tsimshian nation, coupled with the Nishga'a, the Haisla, the Gitxan and the neigbours to the north, the Tahltan-Tlingkit contribute enormously to the economies of the north, and we receive very little respect for it. That has to change. We need more work opportunities in local communities that provide for people that have the skills, but don't have on reserve jobs to apply to.
If we hope to improve education amoung our population, we need greater involvement in the system. There has to be more participation in PAC groups in the schools, more people attending meetings that govern the process, more participants in the role model programs and so on. Then, if something doesn't please us we have the right to complain.
We know who we are, we know who we are related to and we know the importance of family. Therefore, it's our responsibility to decide who is Tsimshian or not, this is a matter that should not concern the Dept. of Indian Affairs.
Locally, we need to provide better housing opportunities, apartments, better roads and sidewalks and better safety regarding the intrusion of animals wandering within the community, and presenting a clear and present danger to our children.
Who is planning for major disaster control? Where are the plans that will go into effect if some major problem arised, like a train derailment, or vehicle accident where toxic substances could affect the community? These issues need public input, and public training.
Where is our community plan? How should future developments look and be placed?
Lots of questions, no answers yet.
See you later...
Well, today's another day closer to our little election. I suppose in the great scheme of things, it's pretty trivial, but to those of us whom are connected to the process and will be impacted by the signing of a land claim agreement, it's very unnerving. Our greatest weakness in the present process and governance model is that it is antiquated, outdated and simply has outlived its usefulness. I'm sure that it doesn't even comply with the constitution of Canada, because it was implemented way back in the 1800's. The promise by the BC government, and by the BC Treaty Commission now headed by Steven Point is that the so-called treaty will provide a better way of living, but we all know that any contract may or may not be implemented if there is no way of policing it. I don't know of any contract, or real Treaty agreed upon by any government of Canada that is respected in accordance to the spirit behind the agreement.
The band council here in Kitsumkalum is not particularly bad to the people, it's not overly abusive or evil, it's just inadequate and not keeping up with the times. After all, the councillors receive in the neighbourhood of $400.00 per month in honourariums, or at least that's what it was 4 years ago, to attend regular meetings that deal with the issues of the day. So, for the sake of argument, if we were to say that they do receive $4oo.00 per month each and they all collected it without guilt, then over 8 months, they have collected $3,200.00. Then, multiply that by 6, and you get a grand total of $19,000.00, and if the chief is still collecting as well, that jumps it up to $22,400.00 for doing nothing! According to Don, there has been no band council meetings, and no guidance from the chief whom is responsible to see that these things happen. Now, the problem is that the band council can continue to do this with impunity because they don't have to answer to the community, and as long as they file their reports to Ottawa everything is just fine. There is no local accountability unless the people demand it. We haven't had one, single public meeting, we have no reports on funding dollars and their use, we have no reports on earnings from the gas bar, or House of Sim oi ghets store, and so if there is abuse happening anywhere in the economic development chain, it will just carry right on. If this kind of governance happened in the school board offices, or in the city hall, there would be charges laid, and heads would roll.
I would change that pretty quick. No pork-barrelling would be allowed, because I would establish a watch-dog committee that reports to the community. I also take issue with the fact that many councils complain about austerity, lack of funds to do anything and the first grab they make is off the backs of their employees. They band administration gets some earnings, but not significant amounts and all it does is create scornful bureaucrats and takes away the initiative to build creative and communicative team-work. We need to provide decent living standards, decent working conditions, decent holidays and provision of sick and family days and boost morale, which will then create more efficiency and willingness to contribute.
Job postings would go out to all members so that everyone has equal opportunity, and decisions would be made according to merit, experience and capacity. Local employees should, and would receive training opportunities so that they can look forward to better jobs. Every councillor would be made responsible to a portfolio based on their interests and training, and would be expected to report to their constituents. They would not be allowed to interfere with administration on the ground, instead they would recommend solutions to the council as a whole, and to the manager of the area they are interested in. No councillor would be allowed to ignore issues that they don't know much about, because their collective votes impact everyone. Councillors would be expected to be role models, and improper behaviour in the community and anywhere else would bring consequences as decided upon by the rest of the council; and, if need be, the community as a whole.
We would concentrate on building enforceable policies and procedures, and implementing them through a public plebiscite, that way, these things must be approved by the public if any future council decides to ignore, or change them. The election process would begin to change, in that the results of future elections would require that the chief and council be first answerable to the people who elected them, then to the Dept. of Indian Affairs.
We need to build working relationships with the communities that we live with, because collectively, the Tsimshian nation, coupled with the Nishga'a, the Haisla, the Gitxan and the neigbours to the north, the Tahltan-Tlingkit contribute enormously to the economies of the north, and we receive very little respect for it. That has to change. We need more work opportunities in local communities that provide for people that have the skills, but don't have on reserve jobs to apply to.
If we hope to improve education amoung our population, we need greater involvement in the system. There has to be more participation in PAC groups in the schools, more people attending meetings that govern the process, more participants in the role model programs and so on. Then, if something doesn't please us we have the right to complain.
We know who we are, we know who we are related to and we know the importance of family. Therefore, it's our responsibility to decide who is Tsimshian or not, this is a matter that should not concern the Dept. of Indian Affairs.
Locally, we need to provide better housing opportunities, apartments, better roads and sidewalks and better safety regarding the intrusion of animals wandering within the community, and presenting a clear and present danger to our children.
Who is planning for major disaster control? Where are the plans that will go into effect if some major problem arised, like a train derailment, or vehicle accident where toxic substances could affect the community? These issues need public input, and public training.
Where is our community plan? How should future developments look and be placed?
Lots of questions, no answers yet.
See you later...
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
We had a public forum last evening, with most of the nominees for councillors being there, and all three for chief councillor. The forum was sponsored by the adult education class, and they did a great job, although it was planned to last only two hours invariably we ran over the time allotment.
We heard from everyone, even the newbies and everyone was articulate except Ernie, we could hardly hear anything he said. I was impressed by the gung-ho attitude that the young nominees showed, it will be interesting to see how they do if they win enough support.
Don Roberts concentrated on a couple of issues, mostly around ocean resources because that seems to be his forte, and I worry that fisheries and logging are all he can do. He still speaks about economic development based on unsustainable resource harvesting as being our most desirable areas to pursue. It's like we're hearing echoes from the 70's.
Steven Roberts speaks about initiatives that are finally coming to reality that were started during the past council, 4 years ago. He speaks pretty vaguely about the economic development initiative that was begun around forest harvesting several years ago, and of which we hear precious little. Rumours are that they haven't made money because of interference from the Band Council. He didn't mention the fact that he sits as one of the board members of a private, for profit corporation that was established in order to take advantage of any business forthcoming to the Kitsumkalum band, inclusive of at least one other band member, and involving the family of other council members. Is that conflict of interest? Sounds like it to me.
Steve speaks rather nonchalantly about his support of the treaty process, and informs us that they are working on the Agreement In Principle, the last leg of treaty before going for ratification by the community. I wonder how they expect to get away with this nonsense since the people of Kitsumkalum have been isolated from the treaty discussions for at least four years? I was absolutely shocked to find out that they haven't held council meetings since June of 2006. What shocked me was that Ernie, Brutus and Susan just minutes before stood in front of us and said that they take part in council meetings, and that if we wanted to discuss community issues all we had to do was attend a meeting. They also said they would deal with write-in communications at these meetings too, but if there's no meetings, there's no reading letters is there? Lying by omission is disgraceful, they certainly don't deserve our trust. Steve seems to be stuck in the 70's as well when it comes to economic development ideas. Not much hope for the future in this community if this council is allowed to continue.
The students asked innocent questions such as those that might have been qualified by the chief, but the audience wasn't allowed to question the nominees or past councillors and chief because there simply wasn't time, so much for accountability.
I concentrated on accountability and transparency in governance, because there is a huge responsibility that governance must bear on behalf of the upcoming generations, and I couldn't rest if I purposely did something to endanger them. I am adamantly against the treaty process as it is proposed by the BC Treaty process because it is designed to complete the task of past governments across Canada to commit mass genocide against the aboriginal people of BC. The council as it exists simply is not interested enough to explore the issue and discover the truth, and therefore they are happy to commit their children and grandchildren to the will of the governments of BC and Canada.
My concerns for Kitsumkalum are;
1. Protecting our culture, which means protecting our environment because without a healthy environment, we are nothing.
2. Quality of education for all members, where-ever they live.
3. Quality of health care, especially for seniors and little children
4. Quality of housing and community civic works, and
5. Access to sustainable economic development, jobs and financial opportunities.
Under health care, we need to address healing for the community, because the impact of residential schools continue to haunt us through following generations evidenced by their dysfunctional behaviour. Its time to deal with the issue head on, we have been subjected to one day seminars that are totally inadequate for years, and our suicide rates in the northwest and far north are taking large numbers of lives each and every year. Those that don't murder themselves by horrendous means kill themselves slowly with alcohol and drugs. How can we communicate with each other if our pain keeps us thinking in terms of oneself to the exclusion of everything, and everyone else? Our answers to our problems don't lie in the counsel of Dr. Phil, or Oprah, they are here amoung us...all we need is the confidence to believe in ourselves.
In this community, there seems to be a barrier established by the band council whereby our brothers, sisters and cousins are excluded from almost everything because they live away from the reserve proper. How absurd is that? These are the go-getter's, the people with courage and imagination. These are people with good educations that they are not afraid to use, these are human resources that we need! We need a new paradigm, new ideas, new enthusiasm.
I believe most of all in our Hereditary Chiefs, these are people who have governed our people for 10 to 12 thousand years, and they did it successfully. We have a huge, deep and significant culture, with thousands of years of experience in handling our environment, and human resources. If the Land Claim Agreement that they erroneously call a treaty is signed off, it will mean the end to all that we have stood for over the past years because it removes the duty of each chief to protect his lands, animals and food resources in favour of becoming a minority ethnic in his own land. Each year, in spite of our efforts, our language dies off with our elders, our culture sinks into oblivion in favour of McDonald's burgers, and governments attack the legality of cultural activity. Right now, the governments of BC and Canada are attacking traditional dancers by questioning whether or not they can wear animal parts on their regalia in Chilliwack BC, even to the point of laying charges for the use of porcupine quills. This is an attack on the very foundation of aboriginal culture, their spiritual dances and ceremonies, it violates Canada's own constitution and it's shameful. It is nothing more than a genocidal atrocity that should be tried at the world court.
Oh well, life goes on anyway...gotta go pick my daughter up at school.
We heard from everyone, even the newbies and everyone was articulate except Ernie, we could hardly hear anything he said. I was impressed by the gung-ho attitude that the young nominees showed, it will be interesting to see how they do if they win enough support.
Don Roberts concentrated on a couple of issues, mostly around ocean resources because that seems to be his forte, and I worry that fisheries and logging are all he can do. He still speaks about economic development based on unsustainable resource harvesting as being our most desirable areas to pursue. It's like we're hearing echoes from the 70's.
Steven Roberts speaks about initiatives that are finally coming to reality that were started during the past council, 4 years ago. He speaks pretty vaguely about the economic development initiative that was begun around forest harvesting several years ago, and of which we hear precious little. Rumours are that they haven't made money because of interference from the Band Council. He didn't mention the fact that he sits as one of the board members of a private, for profit corporation that was established in order to take advantage of any business forthcoming to the Kitsumkalum band, inclusive of at least one other band member, and involving the family of other council members. Is that conflict of interest? Sounds like it to me.
Steve speaks rather nonchalantly about his support of the treaty process, and informs us that they are working on the Agreement In Principle, the last leg of treaty before going for ratification by the community. I wonder how they expect to get away with this nonsense since the people of Kitsumkalum have been isolated from the treaty discussions for at least four years? I was absolutely shocked to find out that they haven't held council meetings since June of 2006. What shocked me was that Ernie, Brutus and Susan just minutes before stood in front of us and said that they take part in council meetings, and that if we wanted to discuss community issues all we had to do was attend a meeting. They also said they would deal with write-in communications at these meetings too, but if there's no meetings, there's no reading letters is there? Lying by omission is disgraceful, they certainly don't deserve our trust. Steve seems to be stuck in the 70's as well when it comes to economic development ideas. Not much hope for the future in this community if this council is allowed to continue.
The students asked innocent questions such as those that might have been qualified by the chief, but the audience wasn't allowed to question the nominees or past councillors and chief because there simply wasn't time, so much for accountability.
I concentrated on accountability and transparency in governance, because there is a huge responsibility that governance must bear on behalf of the upcoming generations, and I couldn't rest if I purposely did something to endanger them. I am adamantly against the treaty process as it is proposed by the BC Treaty process because it is designed to complete the task of past governments across Canada to commit mass genocide against the aboriginal people of BC. The council as it exists simply is not interested enough to explore the issue and discover the truth, and therefore they are happy to commit their children and grandchildren to the will of the governments of BC and Canada.
My concerns for Kitsumkalum are;
1. Protecting our culture, which means protecting our environment because without a healthy environment, we are nothing.
2. Quality of education for all members, where-ever they live.
3. Quality of health care, especially for seniors and little children
4. Quality of housing and community civic works, and
5. Access to sustainable economic development, jobs and financial opportunities.
Under health care, we need to address healing for the community, because the impact of residential schools continue to haunt us through following generations evidenced by their dysfunctional behaviour. Its time to deal with the issue head on, we have been subjected to one day seminars that are totally inadequate for years, and our suicide rates in the northwest and far north are taking large numbers of lives each and every year. Those that don't murder themselves by horrendous means kill themselves slowly with alcohol and drugs. How can we communicate with each other if our pain keeps us thinking in terms of oneself to the exclusion of everything, and everyone else? Our answers to our problems don't lie in the counsel of Dr. Phil, or Oprah, they are here amoung us...all we need is the confidence to believe in ourselves.
In this community, there seems to be a barrier established by the band council whereby our brothers, sisters and cousins are excluded from almost everything because they live away from the reserve proper. How absurd is that? These are the go-getter's, the people with courage and imagination. These are people with good educations that they are not afraid to use, these are human resources that we need! We need a new paradigm, new ideas, new enthusiasm.
I believe most of all in our Hereditary Chiefs, these are people who have governed our people for 10 to 12 thousand years, and they did it successfully. We have a huge, deep and significant culture, with thousands of years of experience in handling our environment, and human resources. If the Land Claim Agreement that they erroneously call a treaty is signed off, it will mean the end to all that we have stood for over the past years because it removes the duty of each chief to protect his lands, animals and food resources in favour of becoming a minority ethnic in his own land. Each year, in spite of our efforts, our language dies off with our elders, our culture sinks into oblivion in favour of McDonald's burgers, and governments attack the legality of cultural activity. Right now, the governments of BC and Canada are attacking traditional dancers by questioning whether or not they can wear animal parts on their regalia in Chilliwack BC, even to the point of laying charges for the use of porcupine quills. This is an attack on the very foundation of aboriginal culture, their spiritual dances and ceremonies, it violates Canada's own constitution and it's shameful. It is nothing more than a genocidal atrocity that should be tried at the world court.
Oh well, life goes on anyway...gotta go pick my daughter up at school.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Introduction
Hi there, my name is Art Collins. I live in Terrace BC, on the Kitsumkalum Reserve situated 7 or so kilometers west of town at 43 Spokechute Road. This blog spot is primarily a place for me to express my views on the local politics, and perhaps not so local. At this time my community is going into an election to either replace, or strengthen the existing council that regulates and governs Kitsumkalum. The election itself will take place here on the 5th of March. You can find all of the info regarding the election, or the community as a whole if you Google Kitsumkalum, or go to www.Kitsumkalum.bc.ca.
I am one of three nominees running for chief councilor, the current chief being Steven Roberts and hoping to get re-elected, his brother Don Roberts, a logger and fisherman and me. My history begins in Port Essington, a small fishing village situated at the mouth of the Skeena River, born April 11, 1948 to Gus and Irene Collins. Dad was a fisherman and logger all of his life and is retired. Mom was a homemaker, but in her later years works diligently as the janitor for the Kitsumkalum community center.
My first vocation was as a fisherman, being trained onboard gillnetting vessels from the age of 6 years, then I began an apprenticeship in 1968 in carpentry, and worked that industry since. Most of my experience is in job-site management in every kind of construction imaginable, from residential, to heavy commercial and industrial. This business is the most demanding kind of business, where accountability to the person you are building for is paramount, and accountability to the budget determines how long you stay in business. It is the best kind of training a person can receive, and makes you competitive in any field.
I'm married to Diane who served two terms as chief, and is now administrator for the Kermode Friendship Center's Aboriginal Headstart, I have 4 sons and 3 daughters, and 5 grandchildren. I've been involved in aboriginal politics for about 12 years by advocating for the rights and protection of our hereditary chiefs whom have been under attack by various band councils and the BC treaty process for some time. The core, or foundation of my beliefs is based on the need to rebuild the posts of our culture that have been undermined by the residential school system, and the Dept. of Indian Affairs. Every ailment that we suffer on and off reserves can be resolved, and can be resolved without unholy budgets because healing comes from within. My personal healing has been most profound in the past 5 years, must be old age...but, I now believe that prayer is far more powerful than anger. Prayer is fuel, but positive and concerted action must follow, because God helps those that help themselves.
Our needs are many because our rights are being eroded; and, in the Northwest, we live in the land of recession. There are precious few jobs to be had, and we live in a society where most of the youth doesn't trust education. Our primary need is to capture the imagination of our youth, and show them the value of education. We are blessed in this community because we have many well trained and educated program directors, and these people have been carrying an unbelievable load with little or no support. Our elders are our walking, talking libraries into our culture, but they don't have resources to build healthy lives. This is true on and off reserves. We need to build our own jobs if there are non to be had in town. Recreational facilities are needed for all ages, life gets pretty heavy if you have to depend on the TV for all of your recreation. Every government, no matter how small must be accountable, we need input from the community, we need a forum to hear complaints because how can we improve our support to the electorate if there is no communication? We need relationship building within the community; and outside, which means building relationships with the town of Terrace, Thornhill and reaching out to Kitimat and Prince Rupert. This is a good community, but it can be better.
I am one of three nominees running for chief councilor, the current chief being Steven Roberts and hoping to get re-elected, his brother Don Roberts, a logger and fisherman and me. My history begins in Port Essington, a small fishing village situated at the mouth of the Skeena River, born April 11, 1948 to Gus and Irene Collins. Dad was a fisherman and logger all of his life and is retired. Mom was a homemaker, but in her later years works diligently as the janitor for the Kitsumkalum community center.
My first vocation was as a fisherman, being trained onboard gillnetting vessels from the age of 6 years, then I began an apprenticeship in 1968 in carpentry, and worked that industry since. Most of my experience is in job-site management in every kind of construction imaginable, from residential, to heavy commercial and industrial. This business is the most demanding kind of business, where accountability to the person you are building for is paramount, and accountability to the budget determines how long you stay in business. It is the best kind of training a person can receive, and makes you competitive in any field.
I'm married to Diane who served two terms as chief, and is now administrator for the Kermode Friendship Center's Aboriginal Headstart, I have 4 sons and 3 daughters, and 5 grandchildren. I've been involved in aboriginal politics for about 12 years by advocating for the rights and protection of our hereditary chiefs whom have been under attack by various band councils and the BC treaty process for some time. The core, or foundation of my beliefs is based on the need to rebuild the posts of our culture that have been undermined by the residential school system, and the Dept. of Indian Affairs. Every ailment that we suffer on and off reserves can be resolved, and can be resolved without unholy budgets because healing comes from within. My personal healing has been most profound in the past 5 years, must be old age...but, I now believe that prayer is far more powerful than anger. Prayer is fuel, but positive and concerted action must follow, because God helps those that help themselves.
Our needs are many because our rights are being eroded; and, in the Northwest, we live in the land of recession. There are precious few jobs to be had, and we live in a society where most of the youth doesn't trust education. Our primary need is to capture the imagination of our youth, and show them the value of education. We are blessed in this community because we have many well trained and educated program directors, and these people have been carrying an unbelievable load with little or no support. Our elders are our walking, talking libraries into our culture, but they don't have resources to build healthy lives. This is true on and off reserves. We need to build our own jobs if there are non to be had in town. Recreational facilities are needed for all ages, life gets pretty heavy if you have to depend on the TV for all of your recreation. Every government, no matter how small must be accountable, we need input from the community, we need a forum to hear complaints because how can we improve our support to the electorate if there is no communication? We need relationship building within the community; and outside, which means building relationships with the town of Terrace, Thornhill and reaching out to Kitimat and Prince Rupert. This is a good community, but it can be better.
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