by Natasha Caverley, Citizen Journalist

“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we have been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”

For Don Tom, the newly elected Chief for Tsartlip First Nation (W̱JOȽEȽP), these words from Barack Obama serve as a guide both personally and professionally.

Born and raised on the Tsartlip First Nation reserve in Brentwood Bay, Don, traditionally named Kwul’thut’stun, describes himself first and foremost as a member of the Saanich (W̱SÁNEĆ) People.

Chief Tom speaks both English and Hul’q’umi’num’, as his late grandmother, Nora Tom was originally from Chemanius in the CowichanValley. His ancestral lineage also extends to Ahousaht, BC with cultural connections to the Nuu-cha-nulth (Nootka) People. The Chief frequently references Nora as an important role model in his life.

“She led by example and was a hard worker. Growing up in an alcoholic family, my grandmother gave me strength and supported me…  in being the same person you are at home as you are in the community. She taught me to be accepting of others and value the importance of continuing your education” states the Chief. The late Nora Tom was a ResidentialSchool survivor who worked on Michell Farm in Central Saanich.

A graduate of Stelly’s Secondary School, Don’s career path was always focused on community service with emphasis on supporting children and families. His first job was a summer student at Tsartlip First Nation serving as a day camp leader. From there, he went to CamosunCollege completing the First Nation Family Support Worker Program. A practicum placement at Pauquachin First Nation in North Saanich, led to the dual position of Assistant Health Director and Housing Coordinator.

In 2005 at the age of 23, Don was elected as a Tsartlip First Nation Councillor. Chief Tom reflects on the experiential learning that he gained from handling a range of community issues alongside the Chief and fellow Councillors such as the Health Centre strike. “Governance is about knowing how to make effective decisions…how to work with people’s strengths and setting healthy boundaries as part of the elected leadership for our Nation” states the Chief.

During a second term in office from 2007 – 2009, Don was one of 15 Aboriginal Youth selected from over 80 applicants to participate in the inaugural Aboriginal Youth Internship Program, providing him with an opportunity to work as a Youth Engagement Coordinator for the Ministry of Children and Family Development and the former Vancouver Island Aboriginal Transition Team.

After completing the Internship Program, Don was a Community Implementation Manager and Family Advocate at the South Island Wellness Society located in North Saanich, assisting  southern Vancouver Island First Nation communities in developing and supporting community-based and culturally relevant approaches for the delivery of child and family services.

On December 8, 2013, Don was elected as Chief along with nine councillors to Tsartlip First Nation Council. Located on the Saanich Inlet. Tsartlip (W̱JOȽEȽP), part of the Saanich (W̱SÁNEĆ) First Nation, means “the land of maples” in SENĆOŦEN. The Tsartlip First Nation territory is centred on the Saanich Peninsula (Brentwood Bay) and southern Gulf Islands (Mayne Island, along Active Pass) with property in the Highlands that are a part of Tsartlip First Nation (TFN) holdings​.Over the next two years (December 2013 to December 2015), with approximately 1,100 community members who reside either on or off reserve, Chief Tom and Council will serve as the elected representatives of the largest First Nation community on southern Vancouver Island. During Chief Tom’s career and life journey, the role of social support from community Elders, mothers, fathers, former Chiefs and Saanich (W̱SÁNEĆ) Nation leaders (both current and former) has been both humbling and rewarding. His father, Chris Tom, is a former Chief of Tsartlip First Nation, serving as an elected Councillor and subsequently as an elected Chief for the Nation from the mid-1990s to mid-2000s. Chief Tom shared that, “my father reminds me of being true to one’s self. He gives me the necessary space to carry out my leadership role… providing encouragement and support at arm’s length and keeping me grounded.” It is through this social support from Tsartlip First Nation and the broader Saanich Nation that Chief Tom hopes to “lend a helping hand and develop relationships with neighbouring communities to both serve and give.”

Communications, community engagement and active listening are pillars of Chief Tom’s self-identified leadership style. Though Tsartlip First Nation (W̱JOȽEȽP) Council is currently engaging in strategic planning to determine their collective focus and set of priorities during their two year term in office, Chief Tom is committed to introducing himself to the Tsartlip First Nation (W̱JOȽEȽP) Elders, particularly as it relates to seeking initial guidance and direction on answering the following question, “how do we bridge and integrate our own (cultural) practices and governance processes to aid us in our community decision-making?”

Chief Tom is mindful that there is a substantial gap between governance and cultural practices in terms of how decisions are made on various community matters ranging from economic development, education to health and housing. “I would like to see Tsartlip First Nation reclaim its decision-making beyond the Indian Act…where we integrate our traditional governance structure of family representation in engaging the community…where heads of households invite ideas, share information and make decisions on community matters like the new Tsartlip First Nation Gas Station and Convenience Store…the reclamation of our traditional governance structure and protocols can aid in greater transparency and accountability back to the community” said Chief Tom.

Looking ahead, Chief Tom will be continuing the economic development opportunities that have been discussed and agreed upon through referenda—including the Tsartlip First Nation Gas Station and Convenience Store that is anticipated to open in Summer 2014. Identifying and utilizing new ways of engaging members through the use of social media, newsletters and community engagement planning with all facets of the community (e.g., Elders, Youth, parents, community members both on and off reserve) are areas of focus for Chief Tom as he and the Tsartlip First Nation Council look at how to get community members involved in various Nation-led initiatives. Also, finding ways to better support Tsartlip First Nation (W̱JOȽEȽP) community members in exercising their (Douglas Treaties) hunting and fishing rights as well as reclaiming the Nation’s child welfare system are top of mind for Chief Tom over the next two years.

Overall, Chief Tom is excited and optimistic about the future of Tsartlip First Nation— “we have a lot of potential in our Nation to tap into…we can be a role model of the future.”

Did you know?

The four Saanich (W̱SÁNEĆ) Nations are Pauquachin, Tsartlip, Tsawout and Tseycum.

Did you know?

In 2006, the Supreme Court of Canada affirmed in a 4-3 decision that the Tsartlip First Nation’s (W̱JOȽEȽP) right to hunt was protected by the North Saanich Treaty of 1852, commonly referred to as one of the Douglas Treaties. This Supreme Court of Canada decision was based on the Ivan Morris et al. v. Her Majesty The Queen case. The Douglas Treaties allowed signatories and their descendants to retain existing village sites and fields for their continued use, the “liberty to hunt over unoccupied lands” and the right to “carry on their fisheries as formerly.”

Did you know?

The Aboriginal Youth Internship Program was first announced in May 2007 by the Government of British Columbia. The program was based on a commitment made in the 2006 Throne Speech to create and implement an Aboriginal Youth Internship Program in the BC public service.

Did you know?

Located on the Saanich Inlet, W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip) is part of the W̱SÁNEĆ (Saanich) First Nation. Tsartlip (W̱JOȽEȽP) means “the land of maples” in SENĆOŦEN. The Tsartlip First Nation territory is centred on the SaanichPeninsula (Brentwood Bay, BC) and southern GulfIslands (Mayne Island, BC along ActivePass) with property in the Highlands that are a part of Tsartlip First Nation (TFN) holdings.

In addition to the band office and a number of community facilities such as the new Tsartlip First Nation Health Centre, the LÁU,WELNEWTribalSchool, the W̱SÁNEĆ School Board and the offices of the First Peoples’ Heritage, Language, and Culture Council are located on Tsartlip First Nation traditional territory.

For more information about Tsartlip First Nation, visit www.tsartlip.com.