Personal Learning Cloud #3: Part One (Three Leaders)

 Three Leaders Who Inspire Me

National Chief Phil Fontaine

    Phil Fontaine is a former National Chief for the Assembly of First Nations and advocates for indigenous issues across Canada. He negotiated the historic $5.6 billion Indian residential school settlement and has bridged historic communication gaps between indigenous people and the Canadian government. Chief Fontaine comes from my home community of Sagkeeng First Nation, where he also served as Chief in the 1980s. He is a residential school survivor and member of Sagkeeng Oldtimers recognized in the Hockey Hall of Fame. 

    Phil is known for being calm and solution-oriented in his decision-making and team efforts. I think the epitome and highlight of his work are gaining an apology from the Pope of the Catholic Church for their role in Indian residential schools. To have achieved this, his beliefs seem to have always been grounded in understanding the past and how to move forward from a nation-to-nation perspective. I strongly believe he’s influenced much of the political and socioeconomic landscape for indigenous peoples across Canada. 

Bernalda Robinson (My Mom)

    My mom was a former Executive Director at one of Canada's most national renown and recognized indigenous addictions treatment facilities where she led the organization for over 8 years. In her time as Executive Director, she earned positive rapport with all staff, clients and partners of the organization and earned accreditation with flying colours each year. She negotiated and oversaw a $15 million capital expansion of the facility which gave the facility more capacity to take on more clients and treat more patients. Her performance was received in such high regard, that public calls were made for her to run for Chief of Sagkeeng First Nation. I would classify her leadership as transformational.

    When my mom took on the position of Executive Director, the state of the organization had always been in a state of panic due to a lack of funding. She was strategically able to navigate the organization's finances out of deficits and encourage healthy spending throughout the years. She worked with employees to allow more flexibility at home and developed HR strategies that retain workers more meaningfully and longer. A big part of her leadership was establishing a plan and ensuring aspects within the plan were feasible, I strongly believe this is what will influence my leadership style as well. 

Grand Chief Jerry Daniels

    Grand Chief Daniels comes from Long Plain First Nation here in Manitoba. His mandate as Grand Chief comes from the Chiefs-in-Assembly at the Southern Chiefs Organization. He’s currently on term number three of being Grand Chief, solidifying himself as a powerhouse in southern Manitoba indigenous politics. GC Daniels has negotiated and worked on agreements that have bettered indigenous people's economic prospects. An example of this can be the acquisition of the old Hudson’s Bay Company, instituting a project that will generate and support housing and business development. 

    

    GC Daniels is someone I would consider strategic, pragmatic, and goal-oriented. In the times I’ve got to work alongside him, he always kept the bigger picture in mind - he was always encouraging me to constantly think and develop feasible plans in my mind. One of the beliefs I was able to pick up on was being able to maintain and build awareness of different economic and political situations to better situate ourselves in the plans of other people and organizations, which was crucial for the success of our work.