Nothing brings out the crowds like a salmon barbecue, and the team working for the re-election of National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo put out a spread on June 3 to raise cash for campaign travel.
The Shq’apthut Gathering House at Vancouver Island University, where Atleo is chancellor, was filled with supporters on Sunday evening, and many that attended dug into deep pockets for the cause during the live and silent auctions held after appetites were satisfied.
Snuneymuxw Councillor Billy Yoachim did double duty at the event, performing emcee and auctioneer duties. Vina Robinson organized the affair with help from Michelle Corfield and Nene Kraneveldt, a powerhouse energetic group core to the Atleo campaign team.
Photos at: http://www.hashilthsa.com/gallery/shawn-atleo-fundraiser-his-re-election-bid
Snuneymuxw Chief Douglas White III provided a welcome to his nation’s territory, as well as a ringing endorsement of Atleo’s re-election bid, even publically signing his nomination papers.
Atleo’s critics have complained that, because he is from B.C., the national chief has no experience with treaty, but in his remarks White wanted to dispel those concerns. He said he would stand in Toronto, where the election will take place on July 18, to speak about Atleo’s focus on modern and pre-Confederation treaties and his efforts around treaty implementation.
White said it is a misconception that B.C. is without treaty nations, pointing to Treaty 8 nations in the province’s northeast, the Douglas Treaty of southern Vancouver Island, and the Snuneymuxw Treaty of 1854. There are also the modern treaties of Nisga’a, Tsawwassen and Maa-nulth, from the Nuu-chah-nulth territories.
One of the nations of the Maa-nulth treaty, in fact, that day had lost a respected and well-loved leader and the Atleo event was subdued because of that loss; songs were not sung as per tradition and for respect of the family.
Atleo spoke with fondness about the great Chief Bert Mack, who had led his community for more than 60 years, with specific instructions from his father to get the Toquaht Nation a treaty. At 86 years old, Mack delivered on the promise he had been working to achieve since he was 18 when his father passed the chieftainship on to him.
Atleo said he was at his home on a tiny island in Maaqtusis when he heard the news about the loss. Atleo said he and his wife Nancy took a walk to honor the generosity and strength of late Bert Mack and made it to Second Beach where there was a fresh wolf print in the sand. (Wolves are sacred in Nuu-chah-nulth spirituality.)
Atleo also spoke about a young guest to the barbecue and shared part of their conversation. Ten-year-old Hannah Herold had talked with him about the Aboriginal studies she was taking in school.
“And I thanked her for that,” said Atleo. He said that when he was in grade school those kinds of studies were just not available, and commented on the progress being made in schools across Canada to educate young people about the indigenous population of the country.
Hannah told Ha-Shilth-Sa that Atleo spoke with her about his work as national chief and that he supported all children in Canada, not just First Nations children. Atleo’s campaign theme is “Stronger Together” and that is not just a call to unity for First Nations across Canada, but a rallying cry to all Canadians to work with First Nations on an improved country, he said.
He asked his guests to think about the shift taking place across the country. At one time, he said, “education was a tool of hurt” and today he was holding his gathering in a place designed to promote and encourage the higher education of Aboriginal people.
Vancouver Island University President Ralph Nilson also spoke to the gathering in glowing terms about Atleo’s leadership and strength, saying the chancellor had provided support to the school, guidance and an opportunity to engage with so many people.
Nilson said education was fundamental to Atleo’s first campaign for the position of national chief and he has been steadfast in his advocacy of improved opportunities for First Nations people.
Another criticism levied at Atleo is his relationship building approach to dealing with government, rather than the more combative approach subscribed to by others.
In the room were representatives of the First Nations Summit and the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, which, before the intervention of Atleo in 2005, were at war with one another, so described by Atleo supporter Joan Phillip at the Atleo re-election launch party held May 24 in Squamish territory.
Chief White mentioned this time of war in his welcome remarks at the barbecue, crediting Atleo with the skills, experience and capacity to bring the disparate groups together where they work now cooperatively on many initiatives of concern.
Parksville-Qualicum MLA Ron Cantelon also attended the barbecue saying he wished he could vote for Atleo as he was someone that was “willing to speak truth to power”, calling Atleo a great man who works for all Canadians.
Atleo said the evening was very encouraging, and that he was honored to accept that encouragement as he seeks a second term.
He spoke of the “misguided policies” of Ottawa and of the space he works to create to build the capacity for the change required, and the healing of a relationship that looms large over First Nations people.
“We are making progress,” said Atleo, though he admits there are “no silver bullets” in dealing with government.
Still, it is with a feeling of resolve that he said he goes forward seeking fundamental transformation in that relationship and the conditions in First Nations communities across the country.
“We can accomplish this, if we choose,” Atleo said.
