AFN National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo

Shawn Atleo, 42, is a hereditary chief of the Ahousaht First Nation whose community looks out over the Pacific Ocean. Raised in a family of "unconditional love", (his parents are both doctors) Shawn said he did not personally experience residential school, but he accompanied his grandmother on a recent visit to her former school, has listened to her stories, and listened with his family as Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the government's apology for that terrible legacy. "My grandmother said: 'They are beginning to understand'", he told the Assembly in Calgary. And his "Granny" (who is 88) remained by his side throughout the night-long balloting which finally chose him as AFN National Chief, and she placed the ceremonial hat on his head as he was clothed in chief's regalia for the swearing in the morning of July 23rd.

"This is our time," Shawn said, "to use education as a tool" to overcome the effects of the residential school system; to maintain the strength of First Nations languages, history, teaching and values; to support the rebuilding of families and communities; and promote First Nations' participation in strong and sustainable economies locally and nationally.

Shawn and his wife, Nancy, have been married for 23 years and have two children, Tyson and Terry. Shawn has a master's degree in adult education, and is chancellor of Victoria Island University. He also manages his own business, Umeek Human Resources Development. As British Columbia AFN Regional Chief, he was instrumental in bringing together the three BC regional First Nations councils to form the BC First Nation Leadership Council, allowing all three organizations to work together to protect the interests of First Nations in BC and to ensure that Aboriginal title and rights are recognized, accommodated, and reconciled through government-to-government relationships.

In his candidates speech, Shawn called for the appointment of an attorney-general to oversee Section 35 of the Constitution. He pledged to uphold the rights of Indigenous Peoples and the inherent right to implement sacred treaties using clear standards such as those set out, as a minimum, in the UN Declaration for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; and to call for language retention; respect for Mother Earth; and empowerment of our "fast-growing youth population" to ensure a future of opportunity, success and prosperity.

In his acceptance speech before the Assembly, Shawn said "we must make each other great and good, and we should share equally". Instead of residential schools, we now have children in care, and education is still oppressive where "we have to leave our language and worldview at the door", he said. "We must overcome divisions that we did not create". Referring to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, "we have to be responsible for our own healing," he said. His Granny said the apology is only the beginning, "it has to be followed through to action".

The Assembly of First Nations "is a national advocacy body," Shawn said, "which was always the intention". It provides political advocacy, support and co-ordination for First Nations to engage with governments based on the full recognition of the autonomy, diversity and interdependence of each of the 635 First Nations. Effective communication is high on his list of priorities, and his "update" for this month is already on the AFN website: http://www.afn.ca/.

During one of his speeches, Shawn spoke of how the five candidates were always running into one another as they crisscrossed the country during the election campaign. At these times, he indicated they would consult with one another about their progress so that, after the seventh ballot when it seemed the voting would go on forever, Shawn Atleo and Perry Bellegarde were able to have a quick conference, and with Shawn agreeing to uphold the policies that were so important to the other candidates, they moved to end the contest after the eighth ballot. Some observers thought this meant division - a win-lose situation, which would cause difficulty for AFN's future work - but I sensed this was the beginning - or the carrying forward - of the Indigenous traditional way of leading by consensus decision-making, and to date, I'm not aware of any opposition of note to the new leadership.

I think this feeling of "it's our time" pervaded the convention centre as the new national chief was declared. There was a sense of great relief, but satisfaction too, that they had accomplished the changing of the guard with no blood-letting, but with a strong sense of purpose for change, and new beginnings for the First Peoples of this part of Turtle Island.

As I had listened to all the candidates, I thought I heard many similarities in their policy statements. They all spoke of the need to listen to youth; more and better education and the reclaiming of language; the need for economic opportunities and entrepreneurship; a "rights-based agenda"; respect for Mother Earth and other environmental concerns; lobbying internationally re the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Nations; women's concerns and the need for an enquiry into the missing women across the country; concern for elders and veterans; preparation for dealing with the H1N1 virus and the poverty which increases the danger through inadequate housing and overcrowding, lack of clean water, lack of education and medical resources to care for people.

"We are the people of the Indigenous Nations of this country, coming together to pursue economic independence," he said. "This is our time". His rallying cry of hope and change was reminiscent of US President Barack Obama's call to his people as he assumed office. In Shawn's media conference, he spoke of being invited to attend Obama's inauguration. "I was conscious of standing on steps build by slaves 150 years ago," he said, so I know change can happen. "I receive President Obama's TWEETS, Shawn said, so he keeps informed of how Obama is "trying to pursue changes. He is including all people, especially the youth." Shawn said he hopes to have a network laid across the country so he can dialogue with all 635 First Nations chiefs. "I did a two-year master's degree online in adult education, he said, "so I know how this can work." We can borrow this concept from the US to allow us to maintain the principle of "inclusion", he added, since this will allow me to talk - and listen - to the people.

Shawn also referred to the breakdown of the Recognition & Reconciliation Accord in B.C. "This is not the direction in which we want to go," he said. We wanted to leave the Assembly unified. We left with respect for one another. We will work together."

He faces a challenging future, but AFN National Chief Shawn A-in-saht Atleo brings his youth, his education and skills, his energy, and the goodwill of many people, to the task. I think it will be interesting to watch him at work.