Interview With CFAR Member Bob Phillips

October 12th, 2021 | admin

Interview With CFAR Member Bob Phillips

Bob Phillips and I met for the first time at Sunnyside Market for coffee after sharing a few logistic texts, to chat about his history with CFAR. I did not know what to expect, but at once was put at ease by the kind eyes and handshake which was warm with caring and delivered by a giant hand. What began as a simple interview built into a friendship as this man, his kindness as large as his stature, shared with impressive generosity the stories of Métis and First Nations’ past, his own experiences, and lessons for me to share with others. To call this experience an interview is to fail to capture the magnitude, and I am humbled to have been given the honour.

Bob was among the first wave of people working in a burgeoning new field of ‘Indigenous Liaisons’ in Alberta’s Oil & Gas industry, as it was identified that not only did companies share with Canada a ‘Duty to Consult’ with Indigenous communities on their proposed work, but that success was sweeter when it was shared. As a Métis man working in IT with Amoco, he was asked to participate and ended up writing the book as he went in what it was to build sturdy bridges between Indigenous communities and Industry bodies. Among the first of his initiatives was to bring unused computers from Amoco to the communities and teach the youth how to use them. This being the early 90’s, when computers were still expensive and required training to use, it was an early advantage for the youth made possible by the willingness of the organization to share and the thoughtfulness of Bob. It was also an early example of one of the two key pillars Bob espouses when expressing why he values CFAR: “It’s about education and awareness.”

As a trailblazer in terms of Indigenous-Industry-Government relations work, Bob was also among the founding members of CFAR. Recognizing a need for liaisons, as they were called, to learn from each other, share, and develop unofficial ‘best practices’, he and other leaders started CFAR in 2004. Bob’s involvement has spanned Member, Director, and Advisor in his 2 decades-plus with the organization, and his influence is still felt in the spirit of the guiding body. Further to his pioneering work in Aboriginal relations, Bob conducted Traditional Land Use studies for Foothills Modern Forest, developed Aboriginal community based environmental & economic development programs for Alberta Innovates, and helped lay the groundwork for the ICE & ICIR programs developed by CFAR and the University of Alberta. Bob has been a champion of education and building awareness about Indigenous people, traditions, and ways, all of which serves to improve the understanding between Industry, Government, and Indigenous participants.

I’ve since had the opportunity to share many conversations with Bob – conversations that were filled with history of Métis people, from early breaches of trust by government, to hardships experienced and persevered through, to the entrepreneurial and everlasting spirit of strength which saw them succeed in early trade and in today’s environment. These lessons serve to remind us of the history that Indigenous people have endured and illuminate their great resiliency. Through these conversations he shared experiences he earned in participating in cultural ceremonies with different Indigenous groups – like the time he was nearly gifted a moose head in a giving ceremony! The elder at the Sunchild ceremony was messing with him, clearly recognizing that Bob was a fresh, city-slicker who would likely have no clue what to do with a moose head! And through the good-natured ribbing, relationships were formed. What is most striking about these experiences is the great amount of two-way trust that was required – from the communities who invited this stranger in and from he, new to their unique customs and traditions and unwitting in what to expect. Through their shared risk-taking, trust was built and relationships were solidified that facilitated the shared economic and development gain for all parties.

Guidance from leaders in this space such as Bob who hold great knowledge of practice, past and present, helps CFAR to facilitate “the development of trust, respect, and credibility among our members and with others.” We thank Bob deeply for his engagement thus far and invite all others who are interested in learning from leaders like he and contributing to the body of shared knowledge.