Building Cooperative Relationships: A First Nation Perspective. James W. Ransom Director, Tehotiiennawakon, MCA July 9, 2014

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1 Building Cooperative Relationships: A First Nation Perspective James W. Ransom Director, Tehotiiennawakon, MCA July 9, 2014

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3 Demographics Land base: Approximately 28,000 acres. Population base: 15,000 18,000 living at Akwesasne. Three Mohawk Governments: Two elected and recognized by the respective U.S. and Canadian governments, one Traditional government quasi-recognized by external governments.

4 The Words that Come Before All Else

5 LIVING THE SPIRIT OF THE THANKSGIVING ADDRESS Akwesasne Freedom School Building curriculum around it. Creating a Culturally Based Environmental Assessment Process. Educating others by presenting our worldview- Book: Words That Come Before All Else and using it in educational settings. Changing people s lives, including mine.

6 RELATIONSHIPS Key to life is relationships Family is about relationships Work is about relationships Success in life is tied to the quality of our relationships, of how much spirit we put into them.

7 CAPTURING THE SPIRIT OF RELATIONSHIPS Our Ancestors knew the importance of relationships and how to build a cooperative one. Silver Covenant Chain captured the spirit of the relationship they envisioned with others. You say that you are our father and I am your son We will not be like Father and Son, but like Brothers.

8 SYMBOLIZING THE SPIRIT OF THE RELATIONSHIP - TWO ROW WAMPUM TREATY BELT

9 Dual Interpretations As we travel the river together, do not try and steer the other vessel. As we travel the river together, help each other from time to time as people are meant to do.

10 Steering the Canoe Education - Residential Schools Indian Act Governance Imposition of elected systems Economy Destruction of traditional economies Environment Water pollution, sediment contamination, animal contamination, plant contamination

11 Key Principles Binding the Vessels Together in the Two Row Skennen or Peace Kanikonriio or a good mind Kasestensera or strength

12 Steven Covey Principle Centered Leadership To the degree people recognize and live in harmony with such basic principles as fairness, equity, justice, integrity, honesty, and trust, they move toward either survival and stability on the one hand or disintegration and destruction on the other. (Preface A Principle Centered Approach)

13 Skennen Peace doesn t just happen, it takes action. Effective communication is essential to keeping the peace. Talk to each other, listen. Invest in the relationship. Get to know the interests of the other party.

14 Pope Francis

15 Kanikonriio Build the relationship around common interests or common ground. However, in every relationship there are disagreements. Using a good mind means we acknowledge the disagreement. More importantly, we agree to work together to find a mutually beneficial solution.

16 John C. Maxwell Everyone Communicates Few Connect. If I had to pick a first rule of communication the practice above all others that opens the door to connection with others it would be to look for common ground. (Connectors Connect on Common Ground, Chapter 6)

17 Kasestensera A key part of what kind of relationship we will have is whether we will live up to our words. It is what integrity is about. It is also about how we treat others. Strength arises when our words and actions match and we honor our principles.

18 Getting To Yes A working relationship where trust, understanding, respect, and friendship are built up over time can make each new negotiation smoother and more efficient. (Chapter 2 Separate the People from the Problem)

19 Applying the Two Row Today 200% Education Philosophy Addressing environmental contamination Addressing concerns with the St. Lawrence Seaway.

20 Looking into the Vessels What is culture? Important to building relationship. Everyone has their own opinion. There is no right or wrong answer to it. It all depends on the purpose of the relationship. There are common traits that can serve as a guide.

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22 Paradigm Shift Larger Society (Ship) is out of balance with the Natural World It puts smaller more earth-based societies on the margin Smaller societies are disenfranchised and bear the brunt of environmental impacts Aboriginal Peoples are one of those smaller societies

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24 The Future There has to be a paradigm shift back to a more balanced relationship with the Natural World. If we don t change, the natural world changes despite us, that is what climate change is about. Nation States must change their relationship with Aboriginal Peoples. They must breathe life into

25 Key to Future Relationships Principle Centered Focused on finding Common Ground Marked by Good Communication Defined by High Empowerment Equates to High Trust

26 NIAWEN THANK YOU!