Shawn Atleo appointed to lead new round of talks with B.C. First Nations

Former AFN ‘grand chief’ Shawn Atleo with his political master, PM Stephen Harper, looking on.

Former head of the Assembly of First Nations heads new Shqwi qwai for Indigenous Dialogue

CBC News, Oct 30, 2014

Former Assembly of First Nations national chief Shawn Atleo has been named to head B.C.’s first Shqwi qwal for Indigenous Dialogue.

The announcement was made by B.C. Premier Christy Clark on Thursday at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo, where the new office will be based.

Shqwi qwal means speaker in the Hulquminum language, and as its head Atleo will be expected to facilitate dialogue between B.C.’s First Nations, government and industry.

“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,” said a statement released by the premier’s office.

Report: BC energy projects face broad Native resistance

Suggests more money could buy support

Native drummers at protest against Enbridge hearings, Vancouver Jan 14, 2013, Vancouver police Public Safety Unit behind them.

by Mark Hume, The Globe and Mail, Dec 5, 2013

Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s special envoy has issued a blueprint to gain aboriginal support for proposed energy projects in British Columbia worth about $100-billion, but opponents of oil pipelines and tanker traffic – many of them aboriginal – warn it’s still not good enough.