Touchdown: Maybe it’s not about who is wrong

BY JACK WOJCICKI

The plans to re-enact the battle of the Plains of Abraham has sparked a battle of its own, this one of words. Those for and against came armed with biting commentary, targeted logic and history, and even assaults of downright anger. Through it all they saw but two solutions—conduct the event or cancel it. How tremendously refreshing it was to hear Konrad Sioui, Grand Chief of the Huron-Wendat First Nation offer a constructive alternative for which he gets a Touchdown. Sioui suggested that a “burying the hatchet” ceremony be held as a “treaty of peace and friendship” modeled on the 1701 Great Peace Treaty of Montreal between France and 39 First Nations. He would like to oversee a celebration of alliance “among all the parties wishing to join: First Nations, French, English, Scottish, Irish, new immigrants, sovereigntists, federalists and so on.” Beyond the symbolism of the suggestion lies some very compelling communications. As a leader in his own right he has done what a good leader should do… Find a solution and communicate it in a way that would be seen amicable to any parties affected. It’s often far easier to lash out rather than to remain calm and think of a creative solution. What he has also done is use a timely discussion to forward some of his key messaging—forbearance, forgiveness and an eye to the future. The ability to develop a plan that communicates such positives in the light of such negativity—historically and due to the current situation—marks some adept diplomatic communications and understanding. Indeed, it is the kind of solution and messaging that one would have hoped to have seen coming from either of the parties involved or from the Federal Government itself. And finally, while there may have been the temptation for Sioui to take the ‘Why didn’t anyone ask us?’ stance, he didn’t go there at all. Another mark of a good communicator is to recognize your core message, know how to stick to it and know what would defeat it.