Dan Smith

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Dan Smith, Political Executive, First Nations Summit

Dan Smith is from Oweekeno First Nation and the Laich Kwil Tach First Nation, and is a member of the Wei Wai Kum (Campbell River Indian Band). He is an experienced negotiator and advocate with a long history of leadership roles at the local, provincial, national and international levels including the President of the Native Council of Canada and the CEO of Indigenous Survival International Canada, and a Board of Director for the World Council of Indigenous Peoples'. Dan has also held a variety of senior management positions with the Federal Government. He currently holds the position of Political Executive with the First Nations Summit, and is a member of the First Nations Leadership Council. Dan has worked tirelessly for the betterment of Aboriginal peoples and is well respected for his diplomacy and success in improving Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal relations.

Who do you represent on BC Hydro's engagement initiatives?
I represent the people of British Columbia with a focus on First Nations. With this focus, I engage in a two-way sharing of information with respect to the Electricity Conservation & Efficiency (EC&E) Advisory Committee.

It's important to keep in mind that when we talk about stakeholders, we are referring to the general public. First Nations have an understanding with the Provincial and Federal Governments that we are also a government. They have a responsibility to interact in this way with First Nations.

What are some of your responsibilities as Political Executive at the First Nations Summit?
The role of the First Nations Summit is to provide a forum for the Chiefs to get together and collaborate and share their experiences. We speak to their interests and concerns, and we recognize their autonomy to undertake activities that benefit their people and communities.

What are the biggest challenges facing First Nations?
The biggest challenge would probably be telling our story. Historically, the Government of Canada deemed itself responsible for First Nations and developed policies and regulations without any input from First Nations. As well, there is an attitude that prevails that First Nations are backward, uneducated and don't want to work. People don't understand that each First Nation has its own autonomy, governing body, economy and traditional territory. We want to tell our story and share it with the non-Aboriginal population. People need to recognize the contributions that we have made to this province.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
The people, the networking and the sharing of information – not just in boardrooms but across British Columbia. The EC&E Advisory Committee has given us the chance to interact with stakeholders we would otherwise not have had the chance to interact with. Kudos to BC Hydro for establishing this initiative!

What are your top two or three BC Hydro interests?
When the Provincial Government released the BC Energy Plan in 2007 that included the call for Independent Power Producers (IPPs), we had to get the message out to First Nations, BC Hydro and the Province that consultation with First Nations is a must. With the IPPs, there is a potential for creating economic opportunities for First Nations. However, this opportunity needs to be balanced with our commitment to Mother Nature and to sustainability – for both the environment and our communities.

We also need to recognize that many First Nations are still on diesel generation and we need to do something about it. I think BC Hydro has in its plan to assist these communities.

What BC Hydro initiatives are you currently involved in?
I am a member of the EC&E Advisory Committee and the Rates Working Group.

What motivates you to engage with BC Hydro?
I am motivated by the sharing of information and ideas. For example, the indigenous people of Canada make up approximately four percent of the population, but when we look at capacity building and employment in the government and Crown corporations, this percentage is not accurately reflected. We need to provide this information to Human Resource departments and ask why First Nations are not proportionally represented in the workplace.

What strengths do you bring to the engagement table?
I've worked with four Federal government departments, and also in industry. I have many years of experience working with First Nations on the provincial, national and international levels. I have a good understanding of the issues and the systemic barriers that need to be addressed in order to provide opportunities for First Nations. I know the lay of the land.

Do you feel that your interests are given due consideration by BC Hydro?
I really believe that BC Hydro has made a valiant effort to collaborate and engage with First Nations and individuals. I think that senior management has moved this forward, particularly Bev Van Ruyven. She made an excellent choice by joining us at the EC&E Advisory Committee as often as she can. Bob Elton (former President & CEO) also made a significant effort to meet with First Nations.  I really appreciate the fact that senior management is paying attention.

All of the staff at BC Hydro has been very respectful and open-minded in terms of wanting to learn more. I think there is a very good shift in recognizing First Nations and how we can better communicate, collaborate and develop mutual benefits.

What are your top two recommendations to help BC Hydro become more stakeholder-focused and better able to meet your interests?
There is always room for improvement. BC Hydro needs to reach out and engage more with First Nations. Also, it would be very beneficial to BC Hydro to really build capacity and employ more First Nations.