In his decades-long tenure as leader of the Osoyoos Band First Nation, Chief Clarence Louie has overseen what many have called an economic miracle, developing band-owned businesses into economic independence, and overcoming devastating poverty and unemployment. The plain-speaking no-nonsense approach he has brought to this task is evident in Rez Rules, a memoir of his experiences and thoughts on leadership at the forefront of
First Nations politics.
Repeated throughout the book is Louie’s assertion that the development of economic independence for First Nations is key and must become the priority for both Canadian and Indigenous leaders if real reconciliation is to happen. As he says, “the economic horse pulls the social cart.” Economic self-sufficiency means better health, housing, education, child welfare and an end to the state of dependency plaguing many First Nations. Speaking in strong terms, Louie condemns the systemic racism in Canada and the US which led to massacres, displacement of peoples from their ancestral lands, broken treaties, residential schools, and the present-day poverty of many Indigenous people.
While he denounces generations of Canadian leaders, Louie is not afraid to also point the finger of responsibility at First Nations people themselves. While he speaks honestly and movingly of the troubling social conditions on
many reserves, his hope of motivating them to accept his tough-love advice by urging those affected to “Indian up” perhaps lacks a nuanced approach to the impact of trauma and the compassion needed to heal. Louie helps us understand some of the quandaries faced by contemporary chiefs looking to lead their nations to sustainable and fulfilling lives. He is passionate and eloquent as he speaks of the depth of his affection for rez life and his pride in his people’s resilience, ending with a resounding, “Damn, I’m lucky to be Indian!”
The Warmland Book & Film Collective – a response to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada – next meets online September 13 to discuss Truth Telling: Seven Conversations About
Indigenous Life in Canada by Michelle Good.
Books available through VIRL.
Email WarmlandBFC@gmail.com for zoom link.
Submitted by David & Ranji, on
behalf of the WBFC