Leadership: a First Nations perspective

In a time when First Nations are moving to become self-sustaining, through self-government, and moving into the arena of business, it is important to have an understanding and recognition of the differences and similarities in leadership styles between First Nations and their governing or business counterparts. This paper examines leadership from a First Nations perspective and in particular from the perspective of the Nisga'a Nation. The similarities between Nisga'a leadership and leadership theory, in particular transformational leadership, are explored. Despite similarities to transformational leadership, Nisga'a leadership is distinct and different from non-First Nation leadership as Nisga'a leaders find ways of matching cultural laws and values with those of the contemporary world in which they live to continue to move forward. Nisga'a value systems shape behavior, skills and traits that characterize effective leadership for the Nisga'a Nation. --Leaf ii.