Forging Important Relationships
Bruce Power is continuing to build bridges and forge relationships in the First Nations and Métis Communities.
Mike Briggs, the new First Nations and Métis Relations Lead, recently began in this role, which is a new one in Corporate Affairs. Ross Lamont, Manager of Community and Government Relations, said there are two driving forces that created a need for this position. Since our site is located in traditional Saugeen Ojibway Nations territories, there is a need to engage First Nations groups under Constitutional Law and Treaty Rights about our objectives. There is also a need to internally educate Bruce Power employees about the rights of First Nations and to educate the First Nations about Bruce Power processes and values.
“Bruce Power would like the First Nations and Métis to share in the economic prosperity that Bruce Power brings to area communities,” Ross added. “The amount of responsibility involved in First Nations relations has been growing – and that’s where Mike comes in.”
Mike has worked across the country with various aboriginal communities for the past 30 years, including North of 60. Throughout those years, he has put a lot of effort into engaging First Nations people through employment when hiring fire crews, and through negotiations and discussions on larger topics or concerns. Mike said he doesn’t think of First Nations and Métis relations as a job or a field, but as a rewarding experience.
“I have always found that relationship building is important as a precursor to successful problem-solving,” Mike said. “When two or more parties work on solutions, the experience and end result is usually more rewarding.”
Bringing two parties together, who on the surface appear at variance, is an exciting challenge, he added. “A relationship built on mutual respect and understanding is far more beneficial in the long run versus those fuelled by legal dispute.”
Mike has been at Bruce Power for a month and said he has enjoyed his time with the company. “A lot of supportive and talented people work here,” he said.
He already has a vision of what he wants to accomplish in his role. He said, initially, education needs to happen both within Bruce Power and with the First Nations and Métis communities. People need to know the values of each of the parties and understand what each see as key objectives.
“It would be beneficial for employees to have a better understanding of First Nations’ culture and rights. As well, education should be provided to the First Nations communities to help them understand what Bruce Power is all about.”
Mike wants to build more than just a legal relationship with First Nations communities. He said it’s most beneficial to build a relationship based on values and mutual respect.
“Recent Supreme Court of Canada decisions have forced different relationships with the First Nations than used to exist in Canada – a more inclusive and consultive relationship,” Mike said.
“We are seeing companies and governments, which want to be successful in resource development, change their approach to doing business. The successful ones are choosing to spend their resources on building a relationship rather than in the courtroom.”