Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo was in Vancouver Thursday to celebrate new partnerships between Canada’s aboriginal and business communities.
He was the keynote speaker at the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business’ annual gala dinner in Vancouver at the Sheraton Wall Centre.
Hundreds of representatives from aboriginal communities mixed and mingled with business leaders from companies such as BMO Financial Group (TSX:BMO), Cameco Corp. (TSX:CCO), Sodexo Canada, Terasen Gas Inc., BC Hydro and Spectra Energy Corp. (NYSE:SE), among others.
B.C. Minister for Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation George Abbott was also in attendance, but it was Atleo, a member of Vancouver Island’s Ahousaht First Nation, who commanded the room’s attention when he delivered his keynote address.
He stressed the importance of education in aboriginal communities, saying it is a tool that can be used to drive economic opportunities and investment.
Atleo also reiterated his support for the Tsilhqot’in Nation’s fight to stop Vancouver-based Taseko Mines Ltd. (TSX:TKO) from building its Prosperity mine near Williams Lake.
Mostly, however, he praised First Nations leaders for attending the event and supporting stronger ties between Canada’s aboriginal and business communities.
“The chiefs that are here, they have real jurisdictions. They have real responsibilities they’ve inherited and they’re not letting go of something that’s been passed down to them,” Atleo said. “They’re also here with the business leadership of the country and of this province and they’re saying, ‘let’s figure out a way to move forward.’ To me, that’s courageous leadership.”