North West College filled a number of seats both at the college and the North Battleford Comprehensive High School as they invited speakers as part of their 2nd Annual Community Builders Student Leadership Conference.
The conference, which spanned two days, began on Tuesday evening of last week with a talk from Chief Clarence Louie of Osoyoos Indian Band. A keynote from Chief Louie began Wednesday’s lineup, followed by talks by university professor Dr. Sean Lessard, Dave Shanks of the Student Commission of Canada, and Chief Cadmus Delorme of Cowessess First Nation.
The conference’s theme was “Exploring the Possibilities.” North West College’s manager of corporate services Dr. Victoria Lamb Drover said including both Indigenous and non-Indigenous perspectives was necessary, given that North West College’s student population is over 50 per cent Indigenous.
Chief Louie is well-known for his work toward the economic accomplishments of the Osoyoos Indian Band in British Columbia, which operates, among other businesses, a resort, a golf course and a vineyard. The band employs many people who live both on and off-reserve. In his talk he emphasized the importance of economic development on First Nations and business-centered approaches to solving problems on First Nations.
“You can’t run a business based on race,” Louie said.
Louie also mentioned the importance of First Nations participating in local business leadership such as chambers of commerce, and he commended the Gold Eagle Casino and Lodge.
Chief Louie insistent pro-business stances can attract controversy. Lamb Drover acknowledged the controversy Chief Louie can attract, but said inviting him was in line with the college’s mandate.
“As a post-secondary institution it’s part of our mandate to ensure that we are probing new ideas and not shying away from contention, but starting conversations that we can work through together as a community,” Lamb Drover said.
Lamb Drover was impressed by the diverse audience that attended Louie’s talk. There were members of the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce, Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs representatives, city leaders, Battleford town council representatives, and college students and staff. Lamb Drover characterized the audience as “a microcosm of North Battleford.”
Chief Cadmus Delorme appeared to attract a younger audience. He spoke of his days of early adulthood when he often partied (and wore an Eminem-like haircut and dressed like Puff Daddy for high school graduation), and how post-secondary education helped change his perspective on life. He earned a master’s degree in public administration and was elected chief of his First Nation at 33 years old.
Among other comments, Delorme spoke of Indigenous humour, and how Indigenous people maintained their humour despite of the effects of colonialism, displacement and government policy.
Delorme mentioned two types of humour: helium humour, which he said tends to uplift and unify people, and weighted humour, which is based on exploiting power and mocking people according to a pattern resembling lateral violence.
Delorme said one of his favourite experiences that came with being a community leader was flipping the coin before this year’s Labour Day Classic between the Roughriders and Blue Bombers.
North West College received support from the University of Regina to put on the event involving Chief Louie. Conference organizers included Dr. Willow Brown, student services coordinator Lindsey Gartner, and student services associate Jennifer Whyte.
Lamb Drover acted as master of ceremonies.
“What I liked most about offering these speakers is they’re launching points for conversation,” Lamb Drover said.
