First Nations peoples are on the cusp of change
September 5, 2013 9:16 AM   Subscribe

First Nations and the Future of Canadian Citizenship (CBC Ideas) Part history lesson, part memoir, the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations takes to the stage to share stories of the people he represents and his own past. In his lecture titled It Feels Like We're On the Cusp, National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo sets out why he believes First Nations peoples are on the cusp of change. via CBC Ideas

The Institute for Canadian Citizenship's 11th LaFontaine-Baldwin Symposium is presented in partnership with the Stratford Festival. It was recorded at the Avon Theatre on August 10, 2013.

Shawn A-in-chut Atleo is a Hereditary chief from the Ahousaht First Nation. Before becoming National Chief, he served as Regional Chief of the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations. He is the Chancellor of Vancouver Island University. He began his career as a trainer and entrepreneur working with First Nations peoples.
posted by KokuRyu (7 comments total) 15 users marked this as a favorite
 
I heard this on the radio last night and Atleo's address is just excellent. He's also from Vancouver Island, where I'm from :)
posted by KokuRyu at 9:17 AM on September 5, 2013


I hope he's right, the First Nations have a long history of receiving the short end of the stick. it's about time that the Government stopped just proposing band-aid solutions and blaming them for the socio-economic issues they suffer; the government shares a lot of the blame.
posted by arcticseal at 1:37 PM on September 5, 2013 [1 favorite]


Much as I wish I had 80 minutes to spare, this begs for a transcript.
posted by Twang at 7:36 PM on September 5, 2013


Ooooh, I can't wait to sit down and have a listen to this, thanks!!!

It really does feel like there is a big change coming in Canada... at long, long last.

I've been involved in solidarity activism on first nations (in a small way) since the Oka Crisis, but I haven't ever felt such a sense of being --at the same time-- welcomed and challenged as at the idle No More inspired demos I attended this past summer in Victoria BC (one, a copper cutting ceremony --- some great photos here give a good sense, and another, to reclaim Mt Douglas' original name, PKOLS). Both events were absolutely inspiring, uncompromising, and gloriously fun.
posted by chapps at 8:17 PM on September 5, 2013 [1 favorite]


Much as I wish I had 80 minutes to spare, this begs for a transcript.

Was looking around for it but couldn't find it, but this episode of Ideas will likely be put up as a podcast. Or, you could download the mp3 audio from the YT channel.
posted by KokuRyu at 8:25 PM on September 5, 2013


It's already up as a podcast; I listened to it last night. I'd never heard of Atleo before but he's a really compelling speaker. I hope he's right; he certainly made me feel optimistic.
posted by carolr at 9:56 AM on September 6, 2013


He kind of got blindsided by the Idle No More movement, but the important thing to take note of is that he's more like the Secretary-General of the UN than a "prime minister" or first executive of First Nations in Canada.
posted by KokuRyu at 10:26 AM on September 6, 2013


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