An Open Letter to the Assembly of First Nations:
Nuu-chah-nulth Nations condemn in the strongest possible terms the abhorrent behaviour of some delegates to the Special Chiefs Assembly (SCA) held on unceded Algonquin territory in Ottawa May 27, 2014. The Nuu-chah-nulth delegation was extremely disappointed, after travelling from the West Coast of Vancouver Island to discuss critically important issues and give direction to leadership, that we were forced to witness such disrespectful, repugnant conduct.
It was clear from the onset that some First Nations representatives were more prepared to bully and abuse rather than live up to their obligations to calmly and clearly articulate their concerns about such important topics as the First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act (Bill C-33), the election of the next National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, and the revitalization of the Confederacy of Nations.
We witnessed one of the most disturbing incidents in recent memory of any chiefs’ assembly we have attended. While B.C. Regional Chief Jody Wilson-Raybould was speaking to a motion, urging Chiefs-in-Assembly to work together in a solution-oriented manner, she was forced to endure rude, negative and harshly critical remarks, and shouting over her comments. Those chiefs and delegates should be ashamed of their behavior, and others, like we are, should be embarrassed that it occurred. Such conduct reduces our position on the respectful treatment of First Nations women and girls to pure mockery and hypocrisy.
We demand better, and we urge those delegates who participated in this disrespectful behavior to seek within themselves to offer up a public apology. There is no place for such lateral violence in our chiefs’ organization.
“Nuu-chah-nulth people believe deeply in the principle of iisaak (respect, with caring) and that begins by holding up the women of our communities, not pushing them down through bully tactics and abuse,” said Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council Vice-President Ken Watts.
“I question the personal code of conduct of these delegates,” said NTC President Debra Foxcroft. “We need to be role models and mentors for our young people.”
There were bright and stellar examples of leadership among us for which we were grateful, and we wish to acknowledge them, said Foxcroft.
“I want to recognize the young upcoming leaders from BC who stood up and made strong and articulate presentations from their hearts and teachings. We couldn’t agree more strongly with the young proxy of Whispering Pines Indian Band, Mike McKenzi from Skeetchestn, who was courageous enough to stand against the onslaught to say ‘I do not want to see anything like that to ever happen again. We should never be treating our women like that, especially with what is going on [in this country] right now’.”
Despite the treatment afforded to BC Regional Chief Jody Wilson-Raybould, she kept her composure and did not stoop to other people’s level and we commend her for that professionalism. The NTC, our Nations and all of our citizens stand with our Regional Chief and support the work she is doing on behalf of BC First Nations. We offer our positive energy and prayers to Ms. Wilson-Raybould and believe that no individual, leader, chief, proxy, delegate, First Nation citizen, and no woman, should be subjected to such unconscionable treatment.
Further, Nuu-chah-nulth Nations would also like to acknowledge Chair Mr. Harold Tarbell for doing his best to maintain order. It was unfortunate that some delegates were unable to remain respectful.
Our work on behalf of First Nations people must rise above internal squabbling and outright aggression. We must work effectively together if we are to improve the situation of our citizens. We must endeavor to find consensus, not hammer wedges between us. Our words should move us toward solutions, not entrench division.
As Nuu-chah-nulth, we are committed to working with First Nations across this country and would like to move forward in unity, to make life better for our children and our children’s children. We need to put politics aside and make our children our priority and the focus of our work. By being solution-oriented, grounded in our culture and language, living the values of iisaak and hishuk ish tsawalk (everything is one), we can all live a better life and secure our children the strongest possible opportunity for a happy, healthy and prosperous future.
For more information about this letter, please contact Deb Foxcroft at 250-720-5336 or Ken Watts at 250-731-7218.
