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Economic Development

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I have been reflecting for the past few months on my treaty stance. I believe that instead of just stating the negative side of signing a treaty in its current form, I should also provide alternatives to explore deeper. One topic that keeps coming up in my mind is economic development. Coming from a business background I can understand the concepts, but when it comes to treaty negotiations I have yet to transform these words into action in the real world. It seems to me that the number of job possibilities that are talked about in treaty discussions may be clouding our judgment. It is almost like some spontaneous event will make us economically free from government handouts - if we just get this treaty signed. I wonder if this is the case… A good question to ask is: will these jobs be around for our children? Because signing a treaty is more than what is immediately in front of us. More than a $10,000 cheque. More than lofty promises that have no plan to be achieved because, as we know, promises have been made in the past. It is about forever prospering on our own lands with our own resources. At least it should be.


I do not believe that the current Canadian-style consumer society we live in today is the answer to our long term survival as Kwakwaka'wakw. How can spending all of our hard earned resources outside of our territories, from non-Kwakwaka'wakw peoples, help us to become the wealthy nation we once were? We were respected by our neighbours because of the strength we had in unity. Our potlatch system allowed us to support one another by sharing our wealth within the Kwakwaka'wakw nation. We became rich and powerful because the great chiefs before us spent this wealth supporting their community in exchange for witnessing birthrights and inheritances. Let me say this: I don't think 'going back to the bush' is going to bring back some perfect life that we left behind. Things were very tough, but they were also very rewarding. There is a way to balance our ways with sustainable economic development. Let us take care of our environment, be leaders and stewards of our territories and instead of buying products and services from others, lets consider supporting one another by buying locally and from fellow Kwakwaka'wakw people whenever possible.


What is economic development from a Kwakwaka'wakw perspective? I do not claim to have the answers that will solve our valid concerns for the future. I do, however, want to discuss it fully and be a part of what my unborn children will live through. May that future provide prosperity as Kwakwaka'wakw people. Our choices now will directly impact the next generation and the generations to come. Let us come together and support one another.

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A brief look at the impact of the potlatch ban on the Kwakwaka'wakw

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The Kwakwaka’wakw are located on the North East of Vancouver Island as well as part of the adjacent mainland. The traditional Kwakwaka’wakw diet includes salmon, herring, eulachon, halibut, berries and to a lesser extent, goats, seals, and porpoises. The Kwakwaka’wakw social structure was organized into extended family units or ‘na’mima, which means “of one kind”. Each ‘na’mima had ranked positions or offices that came with many responsibilities and privileges. There were approximately four ‘na’mima to each of the seventeen tribes. The Kwakwaka’wakw had a comprehensive and stable governing process prior to the Indian Act, in which they successfully managed limited resources, settled legal matters and disputes within a constantly evolving traditional culture. Despite the focused legislative campaign against the core of their identity, the Kwakwaka’wakw continue to thrive and practice the traditional ceremonies given to them by their ancestors. The Kwakwaka’wakw trace thei
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Book Review: Smoke from their Fires: the life of a Kwakiutl chief by Clellan S. Ford.

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Tsilhqot’in (Chilcotin) Landmark court decision

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I asked a Tsilhqot’in friend to write about the how the court decision impacted his people and by extension all negotiating Kwakwaka'wakw Nations under the BC Treaty process. Russell is finishing up his Masters thesis in Indigenous Governance at the University of Victoria. His response is broken into several sections that outline the court case, how it impacts the BC treaty process and finally Russell's personal reflection on the subject. I want to extend my gratitude for this important piece of writing. It will be helpful in further understanding our position as a Nation negotiating under a illegitimate treaty process. _________________________________________ To Chiinuuks & people of the land I want to express my thoughts and share information concerning two divergences that have yet to converge. The BC Treaty Process and the Supreme Court decisions resemble two routes to playing politics in trying to gain recognition for the land that we still belong. While the province
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