"Dancing Around the Circle of Economic Freedom” by Mr Patrick Kelly, T’esots’en. Leq'á:mel First Nation

Patrick is a member of the Leq:amel First Nation (Sto:lo Nation.)  He operates a consulting business and was Advisor and Director of the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry. He has previously been an Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor of BC, and in December 2010, Patrick was appointed as Governor of the Law Foundation of BC. Patrick is co-chair of the Banff Centre Indigenous Program Council, is a member of the UVic Gustavson School of Business International Advisory Board and the UBC Sauder School of Business Ch’nook Indigenous Business Advisory Board. 

The Leq'á:mel First Nation elected Patrick Treaty Representative for treaty negotiations, a role he held from 1998 to 2001. He has also previously been Vice President, National Services, CESO, BC Director, Strategic Planning and Communications, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Manager, Cultural Relations and Corporate Training in BC Hydro’s Aboriginal Relations Department and Executive Director of the BC Chapter of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business.

From July 2002 to June 2010, the Attorney General for British Columbia appointed Patrick as a Bencher for the Law Society of BC, to represent the public interest in the administration of justice.  He is now a Life Bencher. 

Patrick has been an active community volunteer holding executive positions with the Mission Chamber of Commerce, the Mission Heritage Association, the Mission Indian Friendship Centre, and the Coqualeetza Cultural Centre and in March 2009, received a BC Community Achievement Award.  Patrick is founding President of the BC Aboriginal Golf Association established in April 2009.