The individual who has risen to the status of a national icon is Chief Clarence Louie of the Osoyoos Indian Band in the South Okanagan. He became chief in 1985 and inherited a backwater First Nation deeply in debt. The Osoyoos First Nation had a population of just 450 and its reserve contains Canada’s only desert. Wouldn’t you know it would be on an Indian reserve?

Today, the band owns 10 businesses with total operating revenues of $15 million and a workforce of 500. There’s so much work that they are now hiring from the outside, including people from other First Nations and non-Indians. Among the businesses the band owns are a vineyard, winery, cement plant and a tourist resort. It’s also a partner in the Baldy Mountain Ski Resort.

Because Chief Louie can point to the success of his band, he has the credibility to tell it like it is.

He is not some ivory tower moralist but a leader who deals with the real world every day. And does he ever speak bluntly.

“Our ancestors worked for a living. So should you,” he tells his audience.

“If your life sucks, it’s because you suck.

“Real warriors hold a job,” says the chief. “Join the real world. Go to school or get a job.”

What really riles him is “Indian time” — the excuse that Indians are always late by at least about half an hour. This may have worked in the laid-back tradition of most reserves, he suggests, but not today.

“My first rule for success is, show up on time. My second rule for success is, follow Rule No. 1.”

If some white guy were to say what Chief Louie says, he would be branded racist, tarred and feathered and ridden out of town on a rail. Louie can get away with it because he is one of us and has earned the right.

One of his points is: “If your biggest employer on your reserve is the band office, something’s wrong there.” Unfortunately, this is the truth on too many reserves. Many band councils run little fiefdoms that control every aspect of the community, with the band office, school, clinic and any other programs hopelessly mired in politics. This is a recipe for disaster and stymies development.

Colonialism and the welfare mentality have seriously damaged our people. The Indian Affairs department basically warehoused our people on a subsistence income, while providing little opportunity for growth. While the damage may not have been our doing, the solution has to be. We need leaders such as Chief Louie to push our people to be proud and independent.

His philosophy is that the days of blaming the government are over, and the answers lie within us as a people:

“Get over it, there is no point whining about 100 years of failed experiments … We can’t look to the Queen to protect our rights.”

This is not a welcome message for some of our politicians, who continue to look outside for answers. It’s not good politics in Indian Country to criticize your own people. The rationale is that we get enough criticism from others and don’t need to be stabbed in the back.