Submitted by Orene Askew - Running for Council

What qualifies you to be on Chief and Council? 

I think with my educational background and business experience would qualify me to be a great asset to Chiefs and Council.  I believe that sitting at the table is a huge responsibility that I would take seriously.  Council is responsible for making million dollar decisions that effect many people.  I would help make the best-educated business decisions with memberships advice for our Nation.

            

What does it mean to be on Chief and Council and represent the community? 

It would   be an honour to represent our people. This is something I would continue to do in the outside world.  I will continue to be professional, honest, and transparent if I am elected.  I want to help our Nation with more entrepreneurial opportunities.  Being an Entrepreneur is the best decision I have ever made in my life, and I want our people to have that feeling also. If I can do it, so can our membership.

What are your feelings with regards to the Governance Manual?  What were its good points and bad points?  

I think the Governance Manual is a very good thing.  Do I think the policy and procedures get followed 100%? The answer to that would be NO!! I think Councillors need to follow the rules just like anyone else, no exceptions.  I also have a problem with Council making changes to the Governance Manual.  It doesn’t make sense. It’s like the police investigating their own investigations.  I think our  membership should be more involved with the governance manual; after all it affects them the most.

 What are your thoughts on the draft Election Law?  Good or bad points that you noticed?  

I think it can be a good thing if it’s done correctly. We were on the right path with Election Reform, but I know that Council denied it. We need Election Reform NOW, so that we can be organized and move forward as a Nation. I want our children  in the future to look back and say Wow, our council really knew what they were doing!

Do you know of any issues that currently effect Squamish Nation?  This can be internal or external issues.

The fact that Election Reform was NOT passed is a huge issue!! WHY? It is something             the membership wanted very badly, but it didn’t go through!! That is a problem!! The system in place right now is flawed and needs change!! This is something that needs to be taken care of right away!!!!

The mismanagement of funds is a huge issue. I think a forensic audit needs to be done asap to make people accountable for mismanaging funds. Membership should have no questions about where our money goes. This information should be available to everyone. You have to be transparent in order to do so.

Do you believe enough is being done for our elders and youth?

 I believe there are great things being done for our Elders and youth, but we could always be doing more.  Before my Grandmother passed away she would have a home caretaker from our Nation.  But the staffing was always changing which made my Grandmother upset.  Our Elders need consistency in their lives or it stresses them out. There are some good home care workers for our Nation, but there needs to be more.  Again, we do great things for our Youth, but there could be more done. The Programs  we provide at the CJMC are great, but I’ve noticed a few of them have low turn outs.   If that’s going to happen I think we should invest in programs that have big turn outs.   I think if we continue to support extracurricular activities such as Guitar Lessons that  have low turn outs then that is wasting money. I’ve had many requests personally from Parents as well as youth on how they can get involved into the arts.  I would love to bring people into our Nation, not just myself, to teach them about it IE Arts, Music, and Media.

How could you help the community trust Chief and Council again? 

The word transparency gets thrown around a lot especially around election time, but that’s exactly what needs to be done for our people to trust council.  I am transparent and accountable when it comes to my life, so I know I would continue to be if elected to             council.  You have to take responsibility for your actions whether they’re good or bad.

 What is your community involvement (pertaining ONLY to Squamish Nation community)?  

I DJ many events in the community, but I also volunteer at elementary schools with the biggest amounts of children from the Squamish Nation. Norgate,  Queen Mary, and Westview Elementary are the schools I have volunteered at.  Whether it was playing music for a dance or musical, helping make pancakes on pyjama day, and or talking to the kids on aboriginal day. I think the children are always watching, so why not be a good example for them. Plus it’s so much fun tointeract with the kids and be there for them.

What are you hoping to accomplish (besides housing!) once elected?  

The first thing  that needs to be accomplished is Electoral Reform!! I am not talking in a year or so, I’m talking asap!! If it doesn’t get passed than nothing is going to change in the          future!!  It hasn’t changed much since 1981 and that is wrong!! It’s 2017!!

 Do you agree with your possible $80,000 annual salary? 

No I absolutely do not agree    with the $80,000 salary. I believe that is too much money to be on council. If elected I want to take a portion of that salary and invest it back it into the community.  My platform is Youth, Education, and Entrepreneurship and that’s where that portion would go too.  I have so many ideas about scholarships, workshops, and mentorships I want to bring into our community.