The Public Circle w/ Adam Olsen Adam Olsen

Recently, I had the privilege to engage in a fascinating conversation with Khelsilem, Chair person for Nexwsxwníw̓ntm ta Úxwumixw, of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Council of the Squamish Nation.)

The conversation was inspired by a series of tweets by Khelsilem, and centers on Indigenous governance. We talk about the perception and evolution of Indigenous governance, as well as important questions surrounding present-day legitimacy and authority in decision-making – particularly regarding jurisdiction and land use decision-making.

Khelsilem addresses the profound disruption and tangling of Indigenous governance structure, jurisdiction, legitimacy, and authority driven by dehumanizing colonial policies. Drawing on specific examples, we also discuss the variable progress across BC Nations to untangle the consequences of these disruptions and how this has, and continues to affect, relationships with governments, industry, environmental organizations, and activists. Emphasis is placed on how misguided narratives have shaped these processes and beliefs.

HÍSW̱KE Khelsilem, for an insightful and rich conversation.

In this episode of The Public Circle Podcast I connect with Jonathan Morris, CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association, B.C. Chapter. He has worked in the sector for the past two decades and we start our conversation discussing how he got started and what he and the CMHA is doing today.

We cover a variety of relevant topics including,
• The resilience of the accomplishment made to date in destigmatizing mental health,
• How we need to take care in what we say and how we say it,
• The impact of the toxicity of illicit drugs, including both the tragic number of lives lost since the public health emergency was called in 2016, and also the growing number of brain injuries resulting from repeated drug poisonings,
• My experience sharing my substance use, abuse and addiction story,
• An update on the provincial government supports, services, response, and resources,
• Resetting our whole approach by creating a coherent system of care so that people know what to expect,
• Updating the Mental health act ensuring it is “fit for the purpose,”
• Emergency mental health crisis response, the role of police and civilian responses, and the PACT (peer assisted care teams) program to change the first response model,
• 911 (ECOMM) calls and how those calls are handled,
• Debunking the institutionalized stigma that all mental health calls end in violence,
• Impact of the prolific offender’s report and social service approach rather than a criminal justice approach to people who are repeat offenders
• Resisting the temptation to “fall into poles or camps” and the reminder to be thoughtful and evidence-based in our approach
• Recognizing that the victims of crime need support, respect, and justice but also that words are powerful, and
• Peer support and how we help the people in our lives – ask, listen, and offering a little help

For more information about Jonathan and the programs and services offered by the Canadian Mental Health Association visit https://www.cmha.bc.ca.

Visit The Public Circle Podcast website.

In this episode of The Public Circle Podcast, I am sharing an interview from CFAX 1070 with afternoon host Ryan Price on the first annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

We covered a variety of topics including why the federal government made this day a statutory holiday and what the day means and what it can be for all Canadians. I have often heard, from my constituents and beyond, of the lack of education and opportunities to learn the truth about our history. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation offers an opportunity to reflect and learn.

As the conversation continued we discussed the responsibility that the provincial government has in implementing the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and all the calls for justice from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. We canvassed the work ahead for Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, Hon. Murray Rankin, in delivering on the mandate he was given by Premier John Horgan to establish a secretariat within the provincial government to coordinate the reconciliation efforts of the provincial government and the next steps in implementing the actions associated with our commitments in the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.

In the final segment, we discuss the conflict over the control of land in British Columbia and Canada, Crown governments sharing natural resources and revenue, and what we can learn from Indigenous ways of being and methods of natural resource development to help us through the conflicts happening across British Columbia.

Over the past year, we have heard many stories on the nightly news about the tragic COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care homes. Throughout the first wave of the global pandemic our elders, specifically those living in care facilities, were the most threatened by the virus.

As a result of changes to staffing protocols, limited access and a targeted vaccination program to those most vulnerable British Columbians, far fewer lives were lost in the second and third waves of the pandemic

This episode of The Public Circle Podcast is a re-broadcast of a Town Hall on April 6, 2021, co-hosted by the Saanich North and the Islands and Cowichan Valley Constituency Offices. My colleague Sonia Furstenau and I moderated the conversation with BC Seniors Advocate, Isobel Mackenzie.

In her presentation and responses to questions, Mackenzie outlines the impact of COVID-19 on the long-term care sector and highlights what we have learned so far.

For more information about the Office of the Seniors Advocate contact them online.

To contact the Saanich North and the Islands Constituency Office email Adam.Olsen.MLA@leg.bc.ca or call 250-655-5600.

To contact the Cowichan Valley Constituency Office email Sonia.Furstenau.MLA@leg.bc.ca or call 250-715-2792.

This podcast is a MUST LISTEN if you are concerned about old-growth in British Columbia.

In this episode of The Public Circle Podcast I connect with Ken Wu, the former Executive Director of the Ancient Forest Alliance and the current Executive Director of the Endangered Ecosystems Alliance.

For the past thirty years Ken has worked on protecting high productivity old-growth in British Columbia. Starting in the Walbran and Clayquot forests, and as the former Executive Director of the Victoria Chapter of the Wilderness Committee, he is a leading advocate for old-growth protection in our province.

Ken and I discuss the difference between low-medium productivity and high productivity old-growth. We highlight how government officials continue to mix and muddle the numbers in an effort to take credit for massive deferrals (more than 350,000 hectares) announced last September when in reality all but 1% of those deferrals were previously protected.

We also discuss the need for British Columbia to create conservation financing and land acquisition funds to bring to the consultation table with Indigenous Nations. Otherwise, the province is simply asking First Nations to walk away from revenue and jobs that the provincial government would never consider asking any other community to do.

With so little high productivity old-growth remaining time is of the essence. Please share this podcast far and wide! Thank you.

In this episode of The Public Circle Podcast I am interviewed by Jason Goertzen. We discuss family life in politics.

Jason is the Chaplain at the British Columbia Legislature with Leading Influence Ministries. Since my election in 2017 I have enjoyed many conversations with Jason, he has provided a kind and compassionate ear, and calm advice during my most trying times.

This podcast was originally recorded for the Lead Well Leadership Course and I am thankful to have the opportunity to republish this content on my podcast.

Jason and I have a wide-ranging conversation about family life in provincial politics. We cover humility in community service, clarity in understanding your "why", responding to a loss, increasing diversity, recruiting candidates, setting personal and professional boundaries and creating health habits early on.