SAY Partners Weigh In on Leadership

“Leadership is living your highest values and beliefs. It involves working for social justice and self-determination, raising consciousness, and revitalizing Indigenous ways of being and knowing. It is also supporting and encouraging the work of others and creating more leaders.”

– Karri-Lynn Paul, Teaching Staff, Indigenous Women in Community Leadership at Coady International Institute “A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions and the compassion to listen to others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the quality of his actions and the integrity of his intent. In the end, leaders are much like eagles; they don’t flock and you find them one at a time.”

– Jason Seright, Director of Indigenous Strategy at Saskatchewan Polytechnic “Leadership is the ability to mobilize people with your plan, vision and passion by providing opportunity, tools to succeed, encouragement and respect.”

– Melanie Hurley, CEO of Outside Looking In

“Everyone is a leader in their own right. When you have conviction in your work and when you know it’s not just a job but a place where you know you can make a difference, the leader in oneself emerges. Some people describe it as a calling. We all have a calling; we just have to find that place where we are meant to be and where we know we can make a meaningful difference.”

– Rebecca Chartrand, Executive Director of Indigenous Strategy at Red River College “Leaders are engaged in their positions. They focus not only on the goals for the company but the goals for their co-workers. Leaders will identify challenges or issues and also come up with solutions. Leaders are concerned with getting the job done and how it gets done. Leadership is also the ability to perform your assigned job demonstrating the company’s mission, vision and values. A car salesman can sell 10 cars a week and outsell everyone else, but if he is lying or misleading about the vehicle and service just to sell the car, then they are of no asset to the company even if they meet or exceed a goal.”

– Lisa Marin, Operations and Registration Manager for the National Indigenous Cannabis and Hemp Conference

HOW DO YOU DEFINE LEADERSHIP?