I've met with Clarence several times while writing cases for a project about aboriginal business successes in Canada. A lot of Osoyoos's success can be attributed to his leadership and a strong management group and council. They have done great things for a reserve that is made up of one of Canada's deserts and the rest mountains. My memory is a little fuzzy on this detail but I believe it was a Governor at the time who was responsible for that area of BC that petitioned the Queen of the day for a land grant for all the land along the bottom of the valley by the lake/river and she gave him that chunk of land that was suppose to be part of the reserve. Pretty typical of the day --- if the land was useless the Indians could have it (brutal but true).

Its important to realize that Osoyoos's transformation didn't happen over night. Similarly Clarence's standing/leadership /power evolved over time. They still face lots of social and health struggles on the reserve although employment is changing things.

I also worked with the Lac La Ronge band in Saskatchewan and it was a similar story until leadership changed and then it completely unravelled. Hopefully we have some great community leaders in the ROF and they can achieve success for their communities and in working with the companies.

... Been There