Chief Clarence Louie - Rez Rules - My Indictment of Canadas and Americas Systemic Racism Against Indigenous Peoples

Copyright 2021 by Clarence Louie

Hardcover edition published 2021

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All rights reserved. The use of any part of this publication reproduced, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, or stored in a retrieval system, without the prior written consent of the publisheror, in case of photocopying or other reprographic copying, a licence from the Canadian Copyright Licensing Agencyis an infringement of the copyright law.

Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication data is available upon request.

ISBN9780771048333

ISBN9780771002069 (signed edition)

Ebook ISBN9780771048340

Interior text design by Andrew Roberts, adapted for ebook

All photographs are courtesy of the author unless otherwise noted. The cartoon on of the photo section is by John Larcher. (Reproduced by permission of Western Standard New Media Corp.)

Cover images: Courtesy of the author. Klilxw (Spotted Lake), a sacred medicine lake and a protected cultural heritage site, was returned to the Syilx Okanagan people by the federal government in 2001.

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Praise for Rez Rules

Some people have said there is racism in Canada but there is no systemic racism in Canada. To those people I say, clearly you have not read the Indian Act, because it reeks of racism. Chief Louie has spent a lifetime trying to rid Canada of such racism.

The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney PC, CC, LLD

In his own straight speak, Chief Louie provides a compelling and no-holds-barred expos into what it is really like to be an elected Chief on an Indian reserve in Canada. Without concern for the political correctness of someone who has never actually lived on a reserve, lest try to govern one effectively under the Indian Act, Chief Louie tells it like it is and provides an important and timely contribution during this period of Indigenous nation rebuilding. Never apologetic, always practical, my good buddys reflections, advice and political musings around Osoyoos finding economic prosperity, despite ongoing challenges, is a must read.

The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould

A remarkable book by a remarkable man. By the time I had finished the first few pages I had already placed an order for fifty copies for friends and family.

David Chilton, author of The Wealthy Barber

Chief Clarence Louie is a friend of mine but dont hold that against him! Hes a miracle worker. He created the miracle in the desert in the Okanagan, and now hes got his sights set on creating a miracle of reconciliation in Canada that we all want to see happen. We all want to see reconciliation, Chief Louie wants it too, the difference is he delivers, and heres his plan.

Peter Mansbridge, former chief correspondent, CBC News

Chief Clarence Louie, a highly successful Indigenous leader, offers a raw and honest perspective on First Nations leadership and what it takes to create a thriving and long-lasting Indigenous nation amidst colonialization and its fallout. His book is definitely worth reading.

Manley Begay, Jr., former co-director, Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development

The Canadian government has created the poverty conditions that make it far more likely for First Nations children to be separated from their families and Nations. What is required is blunt truth telling like Chief Louies book, confronting Canadas systemic racism and economically empowering First Nation communities.

Cindy Blackstock, executive director, First Nations Child & Family Caring Society

Chief Louie has captained the Osoyoos Indian Band to unparalleled success in business based on the long-standing Indigenous values he learned from his ancestors. His support for the rights of his people and the Blackhawks logo reflect the same type of tenacity I always expected from a member of the Hawks. I am proud to have worn a jersey that a respected Native chief like Clarence loves as much as I do. His book is a testament to the type of no-nonsense leadership we all long to see more of nowadays.

Chris Chelios, NHL Hall of Fame defenseman and former Chicago Blackhawks captain

Chief Clarence Louie shares stories of his early years and how those years taught him real leadership principles and led him to a lifetime of great achievements and a humility that endears him to all who meet him. He is a wise man, and his book will be endearing and entertaining to all who take the opportunity to share his experiences with him.

Jim Pattison, CEO, The Jim Pattison Group

I dedicate this book to my kids and grandkids (Vern, Clarissa, Sarenna, Darian, and Zenaya), the mother of my children Sandra (Sam), Brenda, my spouse, and my mean Rez momeveryone calls her Lucy. Also to all past, present, and future Osoyoos Indian Band members and all our cuzzins throughout Indian CountryRez country on both sides of the CanadaU.S. border. That foreign colonial border continues to divide my people, but it did not divide our ancestors, who could not speak, read, or write English or French. I continue to think of the Aboriginal people of Australia and the Maori of New Zealand who asked me to speak on their lands and who have also suffered from colonial racism. May all the Rezskins one Indian Magic day in the future wake up and fulfill the prophecies and dreams of our ancestors that we remain a distinct people with our own language and the unshackled pride of 10,000 years of heritage and culture on our traditional territories. Look at the old black-and-white historical pictures of the Hostiles & Savages, the old Indian frontier photos (Chief Sitting Bull, Chief Joseph, etc.). I hang the old frontier pictures of those two Chiefs above my desk for a reason. I see in their eyes the look of prisoners of war, a once-free, economically independent people. But most important, in their eyes I do not see a conquered people. Read the words of our ancestors as they spoke up against the racist treatment by the leaders of the Canadian and American governments. Our spiritual knowledge keepers have been asking our people to wake up for a long, long time. I may not be around when our communities finally fully wake up and rid ourselves of the colonial traps, like the Indian crab syndrome and drug and alcohol abuse, but I see the signs of our people reuniting with their Tribal past and becoming stronger and taking our rightful place as economically sovereign leaders and protectors of our traditional lands and waters. Our core principles must never changeregardless of the new challenges of climate change and pandemics, our people, present and future, must look to their ancestral past for guidance and, no matter what, must never forget how to Indian up!

Soon after this my father sent for me. I saw he was dying. I took his hand in mine. He said: . Always remember that your father never sold his country. A few years more, and white men will be all around you. They have their eyes on this land. This country holds your fathers body. Never sell the bones of your father and your mother.