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Phil Fontaine is the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, and the Honorary Patron of the Dominion Institute’s Aboriginal Writing Challenge. Enbridge sponsors the Writing Challenge through our Building Sustainable Communities investment program.
- National Chief Fontaine, how would you define sustainability?
- Sustainability incorporates two perspectives. One is western perspective and the other is the traditional perspective. Both of these perspectives carry their own values and both are absolutely essential for future development. Too often, one perspective has been absent and that has not been good. The perspective that has been missing has been the traditional knowledge of indigenous people.
- When one looks at the future, one sees a number of excellent opportunities. We can do it right or we can repeat the mistakes of the past. I sense that there is willingness to get things right.
- What will it take to get things right?
- In our country there is huge potential in terms of forestry, mining, oil and gas. But people must have the ability to take full advantage of the opportunities that are created through the development of those sectors. There has to be a balance. The effort must incorporate deep respect for the land and all that the land represents. It must consider people and what those people represent, their thinking, their values, their histories and their traditions; the roots cannot be dismissed.
- If development is going to occur in a sustainable way then there has to be engagement and interaction. We need to respect both perspectives if we are ever to find balance. But I believe we can.
- One of the other ways you create a balance is by ensuring that the children are able to access the best education possible.
- How does education fit into the equation?
- Education provides the ability to make choices. Those kinds of opportunities are often absent in many communities because of poverty.
- So we need to create an environment that leads to good learning. What is the right environment? All it means is: Decent houses, clean drinking water, good schools, good teachers, good recreation facilities and a healthy environment. Many of us take these things for granted.