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.