History is turned on its head as Campbell and native leaders reach out

Vaughn Palmer
Vancouver Sun
September 16, 2005

VICTORIA - Not many first nations leaders can rival Stewart Phillip's record for militancy over the years.

Mount Currie ... Seton Portage ... Apex Alpine ... Adams River ....

From the 1970s to the 1990s, Phillip turned up at most of the big showdowns, often as a participant, sometimes getting arrested, always quotable.

After Oka, he said Canada "could end up looking like Northern Ireland." At Gustafsen Lake, he accused the police of "behaving like cowardly goon squads of some Central American military junta."

Just last year, on the front lawn of the legislature, he accused the B.C. Liberals of trying to buy off natives with "beads and trinkets."

But on Wednesday he was sitting on the floor of the legislature with other aboriginal leaders, listening appreciatively during the budget update speech.

Phillip, who is president of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, came to hear the promise of a $100-million New Relationship fund.

The fund is to help first nations develop their own capacity (staff, facilities, training) to manage land, resources and social programs in partnership with government.

Phillip confided to reporters that when he accepted the premier's invitation to attend, he had a nagging fear in the back of his mind about one more parade of beads and trinkets.

But $100 million. That was "undeniable evidence that times have changed."

Phillip was not alone in this assessment. He was joined on the floor of the house -- and in praising the fund -- by Shawn Atleo of the B.C. Assembly of First Nations and Ed John of the First Nations Summit.

John is a fascinating study as well. He was a cabinet minister in the last New Democratic Party government.

He didn't let partisan history keep him from praising the Liberals for making "a significant investment in the new relationship."

He was also enough of a gentleman not to highlight why the New Democrats could never have gotten away with this level of generosity to first nations: Because the Liberals, then in Opposition, would have roasted them for it.

All three leaders emphasized the degree to which the native organizations have worked together to promote the new relationship, since signing a landmark accord earlier this year.

Still, Phillip best illustrates the distance travelled already, and not only because of his militant history.

His organization, the UBCIC, has shunned B.C. treaty negotiations from the outset.

While several dozen bands toil at the treaty table, Phillip has repeatedly denounced the process as a huge waste of time and money.

He took another shot Wednesday, saying "we need to learn the lessons" about spending vast amounts on talks and studies, with no results.

"I don't want to hear a stampede of lawyers and consultants coming down the hall to help us spend the money," Phillip said, to knowing laughter from his colleagues.

He hopes the new relationship will provide an alternative route for bands that want to get on with sharing power and managing land and resources.

He, like the other native leaders, says the fund is "only the first step." But for the first time in long years, he admits to being "hopeful."

Of course, when Phillip mounted his first barricade in the mid-'70s, he was in his mid-20s, with all the preoccupations of a young firebrand. Today, he's an established leader (eight years and counting in the UBCIC presidency) with six grandchildren.

"I have to start thinking of their future. I have to think less of public posturing. I have to think more about getting results."

But all that perspective has its own risks. Phillip faces a running critique from his own crop of young militants these days, and has to persuade them the new relationship is the real thing.

What persuaded him to go this far? He has no hesitation in answering. "The premier stepped out on this issue."

Hard to believe, especially for natives.

As Opposition leader, Gordon Campbell fought the Nisga'a treaty in court. As premier, he ramrodded a treaty referendum that infuriated native leaders.

Now, he's leading B.C. to what looks like reconciliation and unprecedented recognition of native rights and autonomy.

"Maybe only Campbell can do it," Phillip says.

The line echoes a political maxim from south of the border: "Only Nixon can go to China." As U.S. president, Richard Nixon opened up relations with Communist China. His history as a ferocious anti-Communist left little room to accuse him of selling out.

Maybe Campbell's history protects his back with those who might otherwise oppose the new relationship. It is harder to accuse him of selling out.

Then again, thinking of the UBCIC president's history, you could say the same about him: "Only Phillip can go to Campbell."

vpalmer@direct.ca