Robert-Falcon Ouellette on leadership, racism – StarPhoenix

FEBRUARY 4, 2015

Former Winnipeg mayoral candidate Robert-Falcon Ouellette, 38, speaks today at the University of Saskatchewan as part of the annual Aboriginal Achievement Week. Ouellette, a member of the Red Pheasant First Nation, placed third in the mayoral race, but his campaign drew attention to poverty and racism problems in Winnipeg, where he is now seeking a federal Liberal Party nomination.

The University of Manitoba professor and program director spoke with The StarPhoenix in advance of his appearances.

On leadership in aboriginal communities:

“When you sit there and say, ‘We’re going to talk about aboriginal issues,’ it actually turns people off.

Let’s be honest. If you talk about things that just affect one group and you don’t find a way for others to relate to it, they’ll tune out. Leadership has to be able to relate to the entire community.

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/life/Robert+Falcon+Ouellette+leadership+racism/10786069/story.html