Chief Clifford Arnouse Report

Kukpi7 (Chief) Cliff Arnouse

Wéytk kp Xwexweytk tep, my (skewst) name is Frederick Clifford Arnouse. My (kwesalktn) family and wife is Gladys Arnouse of 50 years. I am blessed with six children, daughters, and sons and 26 grand children, also two great-great grand children. My mother was the late Regina A. Arnouse (Michel), My father was the late Frederick A. Arnouse. I had six brothers and one formidable sister. Also, there are numerous knowledgeable caring sharing, uncles and aunties, cousins, nephews, nieces… too many to mention and because of limited space and time I can only mention it. I have lived away from the reserve life since a young man, learning to work hard and plan. Building my experience and skills in working with BC Hydro, Tugboat Deck Hand, BC Rail, Construction and Mill work for 25 years. And of course, truck driving. My political career began in 1995 here at ALIB, with my first nominations by Mary Jules as a Band Councillor when at the old hall. Not very many people knew me then, however I have built on, trust, unity, my political and negotiating experience since then. This year 2020 has gone by so fast, there does not seem to be sufficient time to have acceptable plans in this short period. In the end all things that are essential consistently are accomplished. Our challenge is a division of politics and administration. As politicians our duty is to strategize, vision and have an overview plan or lobby for the organization and have trust in the managers and directors to do their duties. Administration is the action of the policies, with job descriptions, employee guidelines, and directions from our Executive Director (ED). Managers are there to administer the various departments according to the plans and visions set out in the policies. The substantial political focused on the policies that is a duty of administration to draft the initial assertions is disquieting for some. As a leader it is relevant to promote better communication and transparency. To assist with governance, it makes sense to draw on the wisdom, experience and knowledge of others. The communications of the leaderships meetings was put in the newsletter, ALIB web site and meeting became more frequent. The year end report is a process to be accountable and transparent to membership. The use of computer for meetings has been more so in todays C&C meetings and other processes through Zoom, Teams. My phones were used more than ever. Some calls usually can be directed back to Departments for answers to their inquiries, to ensure we follow our policies. The bigger challenge was working through the Covid -19 and doing so within the organizations responsibilities. This is unprecedented for me as a Kukpi7, to keep the offices opened to serve the community and ensure every one’s safety, at the same time. The fear of losing our Elders, is especially concerning because of the knowledge they retain in language, culture, and songs. We will all have our story of surviving the Covid-19, to tell our children and family. The changes and sacrifices we all had to make because of the worldwide pandemic. We have been through this type of diseases according to our Elders and history. The stories from Elders help us appreciate our families more because of the suffering and loss we have experienced or been through. We have hope that the virus is running its course and we have our second shots beginning with the eldest to the youngest in May and June. My thanks go out to all that have listened to the precautions and limited the spread of Covid-19. The plans to build much needed homes for families were put in place while dealing with the virus. Its been a decade or more since ALIB built houses due of the lack of Band land. The purchase of ten acres from a Certificate of Possession (CP) holder has never been done before, it is new to our community. The negotiations with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC) were initiated in the early part of the 2020 year. There was plenty of discussions on being updated on our budgets to go along with this major project.

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Focusing on the waterline to have clean potable water, were numerous conversations and lobbying trips to Vancouver to Indigenous Service Canada (ISC) offices. The negotiations were done and then we had a project to be planned for the year. The three phases were planned with all good negotiations of savings we put to the next phases, therefor saving on spending any Own Source Revenue (OSR). The great team of Political, Administration and Technical staff. Here are some attributes: • Teamwork has been a theme throughout. Trust is a very important part of the position of leadership that was indicated throughout each department and organization. • When ever a decision did not go the way we were working towards, we still got behind it and supported it, afterwards. • Our finances, ALIB operating budget for fiscal year 2019-2020 was around 15 million dollars. • This fiscal year 2020-2021 audited asset value is now approximately 24 million dollars. • Our Capital budget of 9 million dollars is also additional. • ALIB has created more employment. • Has completed our 3.5-million-dollar 6 KM water line. • Started a multi-million-dollar multi purpose health facility. • The plans to build 16 new housing units at IR 4 & IR 6, there has not been any built since 2008. • Plans for four buildings at West Harbor Village. • There are plans to fix the damaged infrastructure at Sandy Point and Pierres Point campgrounds to accommodate more RV camp sites. • Employment for youth apprentices that participated in the carpentry training program with

TRU. • We are strengthening our Security Department to better serve the community. • Construction of a Kikuili for ceremonies and other gatherings. • Communications to inform membership in the directions and activities being planned such as water, housing, economic development, forestry, and title and rights. • Members, families and friends job creation, bet-

ter services, and funding for sports and other areas not often considered. There are families that require help when they are troubled and in a dark place when their mental health is not an issue of ordinary understanding. • The need and want for justice and safety or peace and quiet in the community, where they can walk around safely. • Title & Rights are important for all Secwepemc people. Hunting and fishing, rights as well. Sun

Peaks has been a struggle and to get the discussions started we have signed a MOU with BC.

This is just the starting point to begin important legal discissions that will include Elders, land users and other communities. • Children are important to be brought home to their healthy contributing families, where Elders, in the family can be teaching the youth where they came from and the customs and traditions of their community. • There are interests in sports. Everyone needs the same opportunities to play baseball, hockey, soccer, or sport of their choice. • Next years growth and more employment will be awesome to watch. Keep an eye on the economics opportunities. Economic Development is one key to getting us out from under the thumb of

ISC, DIA, INAC.

The faith in the resilience of our people to do what ever we put our minds to, will help us survive these next new struggles of our survival. Doing the same things, the same way will only end in the same. Everyone stay safe, healthy, and soon we will be able to gather for the ceremonies, we need to let our ancestors finish their journey. Kukstemc to all the newborn,

Kukpi7 Cliff Arnouse working on unity and Secwepemtsin.