The Man Who Would Be Chief — Of B.C.
The Man Who Would Be Chief — Of B.C.
Kamloops This Week September 29, 2009
The Kamloops Indian Band chief spent the better part of September on a journey with political aspirations — to visit other First Nations communities in the province and meet with their leaders.
Gottfriedson is hoping to make history as the first Shuswap chief elected as the Assembly of First Nations’ (AFN) Regional Chief of British Columbia.
Speaking to KTW from Kitimat on his cross-province tour, Gottfriedson said he decided to put his name forward in the Oct. 1 election after a number of fellow respected chiefs asked him to run.
“If I’m asked, I’m willing to advocate on our people’s behalf to improve the social and economic conditions of our people,” he said.
Gottfriedson announced his intentions following former regional chief Shawn Atleo’s summer election victory as the AFN’s national chief.
The provincial election will be held on Thursday in North Vancouver at the sixth annual BCAFN’s annual general meeting.
The regional chief acts as an advocate for the 203 First Nations in the province, while looking after B.C.’s interest at the national level of the AFN.
Known for a having a penchant for economic development and setting the KIB on a course to becoming debt-free, Gottfriedson said his platform is fairly basic.
While maintaining First Nations tradition and culture, he said he’s committed to forwarding aboriginal title and rights, creating sustainable economic development and addressing challenges in First Nations’ communities with respect to health care and education.
Gottfriedson — who is a director on the regional AFN board and on the boards of Tourism Kamloops and Venture Kamloops — also has a long list of specific issues he plans to champion.
He said infrastructure on many reserves needs to be upgraded, which includes greater access to clean drinking water and the development of a formal H1N1 flu-virus strategy, specifically for northern communities, which he feels are more susceptible to the virus.
With low sockeye-salmon stocks as an ongoing issue, Gottfriedson is calling for a summit on fishing, while pushing for a greater share of resource revenue for First Nations in agreements with the provincial and federal governments.
“Our people deserve that,” he said.
As for aboriginal title, Gottfriedson said he supports each First Nation settling land issues its own way.
“I will support any aspiration that any First Nation wants to do,” he said, “whether it’s a title-and-rights approach or through the treaty process.”
The KIB chief does face tough competition in his bid for regional chief.
Five candidates have come forward, including Grand Chief Stewart Philip of the Penticton Indian Band, who is also president of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs.
But Gottfriedson, who is in his second term as KIB chief, has found support from some big names, including Clarence Louie, the outspoken chief of the Osoyoos Indian Band.
The first to sign Gottfriedson’s nomination papers, Louie said he has known the KIB chief for a long time, calling him a “hard worker.”
Louie hopes if Gottfriedson is elected, the new regional chief will bring his business mindset to the position.
“He’s more business-minded than most First Nations leadership is,” Louie told KTW, suggesting economic focus is missing from First Nations leadership.
Louie, who said he doesn’t get too involved at a provincial or national level, noting he would rather focus on issues on his own reserve, is also impressed with how hard Gottfriedson is working to win the regional chief post.
But it won’t be cakewalk to victory for Gottfriedson — and he knows it; hence the tour throughout the province leading up to Thursday’s vote.
Yet he remains optimistic about his chances in the election.
Gottfriedson noted he has lived on a reserve his entire life and is hoping his “grassroots qualities” will help.
“To me, I’m not Chief Shane Gottfriedson. I’m just Shane.”
n Voting begins at 9 a.m. on Thursday at the Chief Joe Mathias Recreation Centre in North Vancouver.
Information is online at bcafn.ca.
