This weekend was a working weekend. Our group of native bands got together at the third Annual General Meeting to discuss the treaty that we're currently involved with. It spanned a grand total of two days from morning until late afternoon and was full of information sessions, question and answer periods, as well as cultural sessions about past leaders. At its peak, there were roughly two hundred people in attendance in the large meeting hall, though it probably averaged about one hundred and fifty people.
I found myself confused as to what I should wear to the meeting, as we're not exactly a strictly formal group, I still wanted to look my best since I was there for the purpose of working, and wanted to help give our tribal government a better image than if I showed up in more casual clothing. The first day, I wore black dress pants with nice shoes and a blue dress shirt. I initially wore a tie (learned to tie it half-windsor first try, to my amazement), then discarded it in my car after I realized that I couldn't remember anyone wearing a tie to these sorts of meetings, not even our hired lawyer. The second day I tried out some dark, dark brown dress pants with a cream dress shirt and the new brown shoes and belt that I was told to get by people more learned in the realms of fashion. I supposed it looked all right, but I don't have the means to show you at this point.
On Sunday, the second day,I had a presentation to give on the nature and progress of our First Nation's Constitution, which went quite well. I suppose I'm quite fortunate to be able to speak so easily in front of people, but it's a pity that I can't seem to do the same in a more casual and social environment with fewer people... Oh well, we all have something to work on, right?
I was surprised when I was called up during the last few minutes of the last day to be recognized for the work I've been doing. For the lack of a less sappy description, I was truly touched by the proceedings and inspired by the closing remarks made by the Hereditary Chiefs and Chief-Negotiators of each of our respective First Nations. For the sake of privacy, I'll paraphrase but not source my favourite lines made during a speech at the end of the meeting:
"The treaty should not guarantee a certain lifestyle for us because that would lead to the deterioration of our communities. The treaty should provide the opportunity for a better life. The treaty is not the end, it is not the finishing line; the treaty should be the first page of a new chapter for our people."
I tried to write it down halfway through the speech after I realized that the speech was perhaps the finest of the meeting.
As a result, I've been slightly but happily fatigued and remain in general high spirits even during a day-long meeting today where emotions and tempers could have, but didn't, flare up.
A slower day tomorrow (well, today), but nonetheless important. Also, I'm hoping that the CDs I ordered (Kidney Thieves, and the Controller.Controller EP) as well as a computer game called Civilization IV are in and/or available.
If you haven't already seen it, go see Serenity while it's still in theaters and avoid Doom like the plague. I concede that Joss Whedon did great work on Serenity, and mourn the loss of the television series, Firefly. I still wonder why id software agreed to the script for Doom, since it had neither demons, nor anything resembling the style and mood of any of the Doom games... Oh well, I think I'll be seeing either Two for the Money or Domino next...
Anyway, talk to you later.
- Rep.
I found myself confused as to what I should wear to the meeting, as we're not exactly a strictly formal group, I still wanted to look my best since I was there for the purpose of working, and wanted to help give our tribal government a better image than if I showed up in more casual clothing. The first day, I wore black dress pants with nice shoes and a blue dress shirt. I initially wore a tie (learned to tie it half-windsor first try, to my amazement), then discarded it in my car after I realized that I couldn't remember anyone wearing a tie to these sorts of meetings, not even our hired lawyer. The second day I tried out some dark, dark brown dress pants with a cream dress shirt and the new brown shoes and belt that I was told to get by people more learned in the realms of fashion. I supposed it looked all right, but I don't have the means to show you at this point.
On Sunday, the second day,I had a presentation to give on the nature and progress of our First Nation's Constitution, which went quite well. I suppose I'm quite fortunate to be able to speak so easily in front of people, but it's a pity that I can't seem to do the same in a more casual and social environment with fewer people... Oh well, we all have something to work on, right?
I was surprised when I was called up during the last few minutes of the last day to be recognized for the work I've been doing. For the lack of a less sappy description, I was truly touched by the proceedings and inspired by the closing remarks made by the Hereditary Chiefs and Chief-Negotiators of each of our respective First Nations. For the sake of privacy, I'll paraphrase but not source my favourite lines made during a speech at the end of the meeting:
"The treaty should not guarantee a certain lifestyle for us because that would lead to the deterioration of our communities. The treaty should provide the opportunity for a better life. The treaty is not the end, it is not the finishing line; the treaty should be the first page of a new chapter for our people."
I tried to write it down halfway through the speech after I realized that the speech was perhaps the finest of the meeting.
As a result, I've been slightly but happily fatigued and remain in general high spirits even during a day-long meeting today where emotions and tempers could have, but didn't, flare up.
A slower day tomorrow (well, today), but nonetheless important. Also, I'm hoping that the CDs I ordered (Kidney Thieves, and the Controller.Controller EP) as well as a computer game called Civilization IV are in and/or available.
If you haven't already seen it, go see Serenity while it's still in theaters and avoid Doom like the plague. I concede that Joss Whedon did great work on Serenity, and mourn the loss of the television series, Firefly. I still wonder why id software agreed to the script for Doom, since it had neither demons, nor anything resembling the style and mood of any of the Doom games... Oh well, I think I'll be seeing either Two for the Money or Domino next...
Anyway, talk to you later.
- Rep.