The work of politicians and journalists is always intersecting, and sadly, one of those points of intersection comes when a well-known political figure passes away.
In preparing this week’s story on the death of former shíshálh Nation chief Stan Dixon, we were reminded again that some political leaders have careers of exceptional length and breadth.
Stan Dixon was one such leader, serving on the shíshálh Nation council, the Sunshine Coast Regional District board and the District of Sechelt council over four decades.
Dixon will be forever associated with the shíshálh Nation’s drive for self-government, but he was also quick to point out that while he was chief when the goal was achieved in 1986, he and the council of the day were continuing the work of others.
We were also reminded in talking to people about Dixon’s career in public life that the work continued after he left office, bearing fruit in initiatives such as the recent foundation agreement with the province. In fact, phrases like “the work continues” and “the work is never finished” came up more than once.
Current chief Warren Paull told Coast Reporter that Dixon will be remembered as a “bridge builder” who believed in “having a conversation with the neighbours and figuring out how you can make things work.”
Former Sechelt mayor Bruce Milne said he felt Dixon was “working on reconciliation before it was an everyday term.” And, now that reconciliation is an everyday term, the work continues with growing momentum.
The syiyaya Reconciliation Movement, co-chaired by another former chief, Garry Feschuk, and former Sechelt mayor Cam Reid has succeeded in making the work of reconciliation the work of the community and not only of a determined few, through projects like the “Carving Tears into Dreams of Reconciliation” totem-carving on the site where the last building of the St. Augustine’s Residential School stood until 2008.
So, as the Sunshine Coast gathers this weekend to remember Stan Dixon, we’re reflecting on words he wrote more than 10 years ago in book one of his memoir K’watamus Speaks.
“During my entire life in politics, I deliberately avoided to make a fuss about discrimination because I was always optimistic [about] positive change in our character and behaviour.”
7ul-nu-msh-chxw, K’watamus.
The work to live up to your optimism continues.
