BC Chief Gottfriedson says First Nations need ‘culture of greatness’

VANCOUVER — British Columbia Regional Chief Shane Gottfriedson told delegates at the Mineral Exploration Roundup convention in Vancouver that the resource industry could be a game changer for First Nations in the province, but a higher level of consent and respect will be needed before the industry is embraced by local First Nation groups.

As an advocate for good business practices, Gottfriedson said First Nations can use economic development to become more independent, and “protect what’s ours.”

He said that “as we look at the changing landscape of how we interact in the 21st century, we need to take advantage of the opportunities before us in the resource sector and the social sector as well. Unfortunately we’ve seen many fights with the industry and old-school thinking, but we’ve got new companies coming in that want to partner with us, and the ones that do are having much more success from a public perception, and it’s also good corporate business.”

Gottfriedson described First Nation communities in the province as the “poorest of the poor” and among the most disadvantaged, but under a new federal government led by Prime Minister Trudeau, he says the future looks brighter.

“I really like Trudeau’s way forward on including us, and looking at how we can play a major role in the future,” he said. “We can and we will, but we also need industry to partner with us, be respectful and work with us to get that quality of life. We’re good at managing poverty, and I know we can be good at managing wealth as well.”

But social change is also necessary, he said, and First Nations must “break down barriers,” think strategically and seek out partnerships.

“The way the world economy is, we need to look at creating a culture of greatness for our people,” he continued. “Violence and learned behaviours are things of old, and we need to look at how the business world is growing all around us … our need for social change has never been more important.”

Before serving as regional chief for the province, Gottfriedson spent 12 years as chief of Kamloops, and during this time he says he learned how important it is for groups to collaborate.

“Some of the most successful organizations create a culture of greatness by giving its people skills, training and tools. I’m an ironworker by trade, so if I need to pound nails, I’m going to need a hammer … it’s the same position I take as regional chief, and in working with the industry and the different councils,” he said. “Wouldn’t it be awesome if this province and all the First Nation groups got together, and developed strategies around how we can benefit? If we create our own source of revenue, we create our own independence.”