I am Beatrice (Daychief) Carpentier, a Treaty O’Chiese band member, who has been employed for the past 5 years in the capacity of Band Manger. The current Leadership took a hiring risk for this position as a belief that we can do the job given the trust, encouragement, investment, and support. To serve my community in this capacity is demanding and rewarding at the same time. As the community and leadership, you have invested in me your trust and support to assist in leading our community in a way that does not compromise our way of life and its cultural values.

A little history, I was born in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, eventually lived with my grandmother (Goo-kum) until school age, started grade one in Rocky with no word of English, what a time that must have been for teachers. Anyway, I eventually obtained a degree in Social Work from the University of Victoria. In the future, the plan is to get a Masters and PhD degree, time is running out so I need to get busy. I would not have achieved these things without the support and sacrifice of my children and my husband, thank you!

Raising a family of four, along with my late sisters two children, many of my children’s friends, and being a grandmother, while pursuing and attending educational facilities, and working— were all full time pursuits and trying (at times) for us. Families are not hobbies but they are the most important pursuits of excellence. Instilling family values in a fun way was important to us. Along with allowing our family to appreciate the smell and quiet of the ocean, and learn new hobbies or pursuits was important. Learning new initiatives feeds my curiosity and I think I got too much of it; however, I like new ways of doing things and problem solving. It must be a hobby for me to keep learning.

My employment garnered experience in management, paralegal work, and counseling. Of course, these are just some of the areas I was involved in but primarily management. I was employed with various agencies but the two that I enjoyed the most was the Rocky School Division #15 and the Victoria Native Friendship Centre which assisted in increasing my experience in the area of management. Today, my management experience is toward building capacity, financial prosperity and increasing the quality of life in my home and it is a privilege.

While working with various First Nations, I realized the direct oppression and suppression of our Treaty, our way of life, language, and culture was not openly discussed nor was it a subject in our school systems. In fact, as I continually worked toward the betterment of our Nations, I understood that the policies that non-aboriginal nations had were meant to impede the progress and deny the First Nation their rights. Today, nothing has changed except that the policies are getting more complicated and the creators cannot keep up with their own rules and regulations. In addition, the public still do not know about First Nations and their relationship with the Federal Government, or the Treaties that bind them. As I gain more insight and knowledge in the ways of our people, I have nothing to fear, nor do I have anything standing in our way, in fact, I have something to strive for.

I had a plan to do certain things in life, I achieved most of them, and yes, at times, life’s complexities caused me to question the strength and value of life and of course the plan. It is good to question the plan, the value and the strength as it keeps you on track. The great teachers such as my goo-kum, taught values are hard to achieve and maintain. In respect and love for her, sustaining and the continuation of these same values are maintained in my family and in our daily activities. Planning, implementing and evaluating are great tools that assist my role as a band manager as well as in my own personal life. Our ancestors gave us Ceremonies, Traditions and Treaties; help us so we do not lose our way.

Our ancestors loved our way of life, home, and language as they made provisions for us in the Treaty process. We have a responsibility to teach, exert, and enforce the foundation of the treaties for our future generations. Therefore, my wish for O’Chiese First Nation government is to maintain its integrity, vision, language, and way of life. For the general community members, my wish is to encourage, love, and respect each other and our children so we grow up to be confident, successful, and nurturing. As these cultural values are the base foundations to ensure consistency, sustainability, and determination. We can stand strong as we have overcome so much through our Nations history.

My overall message is to remember that “the Creator calls us to serve, love, forgive, teach, work, play, and be thankful; I hope that is what we can remember to do for ourselves, each other and to strangers.” We also need to protect, preserve, and prosper within our traditional lands by using those provisions that our ancestors gave us.

Respectfully, the Band Manager, Beatrice Carpentier