OS and conflict resolution

[Rhett Hudson/Chris Weaver]

Chris,
    If government reps, non-Aboriginal people whose business has been
affected, and First Nation members and supporters respond to an invitation,
it seems to me that a talking circle should preceed any breaking into focus
groups around solutions, so that the conflicting perspectives can be voiced
to the whole in an atmosphere of respect before peoples' two feet move them
toward their old divisions.
-Chris Weaver
----------
>From: Chris Corrigan <corcom at interchange.ubc.ca>
>To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
>Subject: OS and conflict resolution
>Date: Fri, May 19, 2000, 10:28 PM
>

> Hi again:
>
> I am looking for stories of how OS has been used for conflict resolution
> situations in communities (sounds redundant, I know).  I am working with
> a First Nation in British Columbia who is currently involved in a highly
> visible road blockade over a land dispute.  We have offered OS to them
> and they have taken up the offer in two stages.  They first of all want
> to do a community OS to explore land use issues facing the First Nation,
> and then they will considering offering the process to government, local
> non-Aboriginal people and others who have been affected by the current
> blockade to generate solutions to resolving the conflict.
>
> I am meeting with the First Nation next week to see if the process will
> even make sense for them at this stage.  I have to decide if they are in
> a resolution mode yet, or whether they're enjoying the media spotlight
> still, and therefore invested in seeing this thing continue like this
> for a while.  I suspect we're in or getting near the former.
> Negotiations have broken off, but it seems like the community really
> wants to solve this thing now.
>
> Any thoughts about this?  Any stories to share?
>
> Chris
>
> Have a good long weekend, Canucks!
>
> --
> CHRIS CORRIGAN
> 108-1035 Pacific Street
> Vancouver BC
> V6E 4G7
>
> Phone: 604.683.3080
> Fax: 604.683.3036