Premier Clark announces Shqwi qwal for Indigenous Dialogue

2014PREM0110-001632
October 30, 2014

Office of the Premier
Ministry of Advanced Education

NEWS RELEASE

NANAIMO - Premier Christy Clark announced today Canada's first Shqwi qwal (Speaker) for Indigenous Dialogue that will address Indigenous issues and help build a new path for reconciliation within British Columbia.

"Our government is committed to building on our relationships with Aboriginal people to create a stronger and more prosperous British Columbia for everyone," said Premier Clark. "Part of this includes supporting complementary dialogue through our educational institutions. We are excited by the first appointment, Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, and the role he and the initiative can play to foster greater mutual understanding of Indigenous history, culture and systems."

The Shqwi qwal (pronunciation: shh-qwee-qwall) for Indigenous Dialogue will be housed at Vancouver Island University's new Centre for Pre-Confederation Treaties and Reconciliation in Nanaimo. Shqwi qwal means speaker in the Hulquminum language.

"Recognition and understanding are fundamental to moving forward in the spirit of mutual respect, reconciliation and sharing," said Atleo. "Through dialogue, we can together create new paths respective of our history that connect systems and support process innovation for social and economic benefits for First Nations, for British Columbia, and for Canada."

The Shqwi qwal will develop and support dialogue sessions on education and other topics that will help foster understanding and partnerships between Indigenous peoples and the broader public, private, and corporate sectors. The Shqwi qwal will also support the development of research and public policy papers in this area. 

"The Shqwi qwal for Indigenous Dialogue is the first of its kind in Canada," said Advanced Education Minister Amrik Virk. "The initiative builds on our work to support Aboriginal learners achieve success and make sure all British Columbians benefit from the social, intellectual and economic wealth of our province."

"We want to be true partners with Aboriginal people and that will only be possible by listening to each other," said Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister John Rustad. "This new position builds on our recent meeting with First Nations leaders as we support new approaches to reconciliation and improvements for Aboriginal people and First Nations communities."

"Vancouver Island University is uniquely positioned with strong local First Nations relationships and support of local leadership," said Vancouver Island University president Ralph Nilson. "Chief Atleo will bring tremendous leadership to this role, and continue to build on VIU's ability locally and regionally to inform a much needed national dialogue."

"We are honoured to welcome the Shqwi qwal and appointment of Chief Atleo," said Doug White, director of the centre. "The centre is focused on the fundamental work of articulating the foundations of a more just and united future where patterns of relations are characterized by true recognition in all of its cultural, social, economic, legal and spiritual dimensions. Chief Atleo brings a wealth of experience and insight to this work."

The historic B.C. Cabinet-First Nations Leaders' Gathering on Sept. 11 reaffirmed that decisions involving First Nations in B.C. need to be made in partnership. The dialogue sessions support this and also build on the work already underway between government, First Nations and industry. 

Media Contacts:

Sam Oliphant
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
250 952-7252

Stacey McGaghey Jones
Government Communications and Public Engagement Ministry of Advanced Education
250 952-6400

BACKGROUNDER
Shqwi qwal for Indigenous Dialogue at VIU

Shqwi qwal for Indigenous Dialogue

* The Shqwi qwal will support dialogue and engagement sessions that address key challenges and opportunities, grounded in Indigenous world views, and focused on a shared path forward for all of B.C.
* Dialogue sessions will focus on sharing Indigenous world views and how education contributes to the emerging national dialogue on partnerships with Indigenous peoples in the public, private and corporate sectors.
* These sessions will include Aboriginal citizens and leaders, government representatives, industry leaders, and interested non-Indigenous citizens.
* The Shqwi qwal will lead the development of research and policy papers by Canadian Indigenous academics and, as required, by others as background for and as outcomes of these dialogue sessions

Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo

* Chief Atleo is a Hereditary Chief from the Ahousaht First Nation. 
* He was elected as National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations in July 2009 and was re-elected in 2012. Previously, he served two terms as Regional Chief of the BC AFN. 
* Atleo has over 15 years of leadership experience and has a strong interest in promoting education. 
* He holds a Masters of Education in adult learning and global change from the University of Technology in Sydney, Australia and is the first Indigenous person to hold the position of university chancellor in British Columbia. 
* In 2008, the B.C. government announced the establishment of Vancouver Island University and Atleo was named chancellor. 
* Atleo is the first William A. Macdonald, Q.C Distinguished Fellow in Indigenous Education at the University of Toronto's Ontario Institute for Studies in Education.