Chief George Manuel

In the late 1960's, tensions were high in various part of the world, protesting and politics clashed on a regular basis, it seemed the norm of the time. In 1969 the Minister of Indian Affairs Jean Chretien put forward a white paper Canadian policy document, which proposed the abolition of the Indian Act, the rejection of land claims, and the assimilation of Indian/Aboriginal or First Nations people into the Canadian population. Round this time various First Nations leaders like Harold Cardinal and George Manuel took on the challenge to reject all of its purposed parameters. Chief George Manuel, one of the founders of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, which still exists today, one of the founders of the National Indian Brotherhood, which eventually became the Assembly of First Nations, which still exists today, one of the founders of the World Indigence Council, which still exists today in New York City. The sacrifices and commitments he made on behalf of Indian/Aboriginal or First Nations people, which eventually affected his relationship with some of his own children. Through the entire struggle of his commitment, he always believed in Gandhi's words an eye for an eye made us all blind. He strongly believed and envisioned, building a bridge to a better relationship with First Nations and Non-First Nations people, would once again strengthen the foundation of First Nations communities, families and individuals. The year is 2010, George has long left us now, but his vision is still very much alive in the present climate and environment of the beautiful Country called Canada. Halaw Group has the fortitude and means to advance the First Nations position in relation to building the bridge once and for all that is needed. We don't want to walk blind anymore, we want to stand up and lead the way in this process, it can be done, it can be done.