b'COVER STORYof its kind at the time. StevensonsColumbias central coast region, andIn 2022, Joseph published his sister, Doris Bear, says media relationsone of the few remaining first-languagememoir, Namwayut - We Are All One: came naturally to her brother. With theKwakwala speakers. He survived 11A Pathway to Reconciliation, which media, it was easy for him, because heyears at the Anglican-run St. Michaelstraces his journey from a residential had the expertise, he had the knowl- Indian Residential School in Alert Bay, andschool survivor to an Indigenous edge of how he was going to bring thehas gone on to advocate for residentialleader in the reconciliation move-attention to everyone nationwide. school survivors at the highest levels ofment. In his earlier days, Joseph Canadiangovernment.worked for a number of media Like Stevenson, Joseph also knows how to convey a strong message.Now 84, the hereditary chief has beenoutlets, including the Vancouver Theres nothing stronger than thethe executive director for the IndianSun, Campbell River Courier and message. I heardsomeone once sayResidential School Survivors Society andNative Voice, the first Indigenous the medium is the message, Josephan honorary witness for the Truth andnewspaper in B.C. Communication tells NationTalk, adding that a few yearsReconciliation Commission of Canada.always was important, and I think all ago, he helped organize a walk forAccording to Indspire, which awardedof us need to recognize the power reconciliation, which involved meetingJoseph with a Lifetime Achievementand sway communications have, and speaking with a number of orga- Award in 2016, he was one of foursaysJoseph. nizations representing new Canadiansurvivors who advised former prime citizens. We ended up with 70,000minister Stephen Harper on the federalWe all have stories to tell, especially people at the walk for reconciliation.governments apology to residentialin our community, the Indigenous Thats the power of the medium and theschoolsurvivors. community. Were learning now to message, Josephsays. tell our stories, says Joseph. So the Joseph has received numerous acco-Born September 15, 1939, at St.lades for his work, including the Order ofpower of the media becomes even Georges Hospital in Alert Bay, B.C.,Canada, the Order of British Columbia,more important, because we have Joseph is one of four Hereditary Chiefsthe Diamond Jubilee Medal and theto keep the truth out there about our of the Gwawaenuk people in BritishWallenberg-Sugihara Civil CourageAward.colonial past.Photo credit: Felicia Greekas.INDIGENOUS INNOVATORS, ICONS & INFLUENCERS |ISSUE 1, 2023 11'